The City Councils of Camas and Washougal recently passed a joint resolution to return the formation of a Regional Fire Authority to the November 4, 2025, General Election ballot.
The election results prompted a review of the funding impacts for each City. As such, the funding impacts were revised to present a clearer, more sustainable plan for residents. Which for the City of Camas means reducing the existing property tax levy by $.071 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value, the rate the City spends on the fire department.
If the RFA levy is instituted, the City of Washougal would reduce its property tax by an estimated $0.88 per $1,000 of assessed value. This number has not changed from its original projection for 2027.
Under the new ballot measure, the cost of the RFA for property owners will remain the same for both cities at $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed property value beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The City of Camas estimates a property tax levy of $1.90 per $1,000 of a home's assessed value, which funds essential services such as fire, police, streets, parks & recreation, and the library. To offset the absence of the Fire Department, the City of Camas plans to reduce its existing property tax levy by $0.71 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value, the rate the City would spend on the fire department. This results in a net increase of only $0.34 per $1,000 for Camas homeowners. For a Camas home valued at $650,000*, this equates to an estimated annual tax increase of $221.00 a year or $18.41 per month for fire service in 2027.
The City of Washougal estimates a property tax levy of $1.51 per $1,000 of a home's assessed value, which funds essential services such as fire, police, streets, and parks & recreation. To offset the loss of the Department, the City of Washougal plans to reduce its existing property tax levy by an estimated $0.88 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value. This results in a net increase of only $0.17 per $1,000 for Washougal homeowners. For a Washougal home valued at $583,000*, this equates to an estimated annual tax increase of $99.11 a year or $8.26 per month for fire service in 2027. The estimated $0.88 rate reduction in 2027 includes the expiration of Washougal’s 6-year Fire/EMS levy lid lift after 2026. If the RFA passes, Washougal will not need to renew this lid lift, which was last renewed starting in 2020 at a rate of $0.10.
The initial RFA measure failed by around 300 votes. While the measure passed in Washougal, the RFA requires combined approval from both cities, meaning the overall measure didn’t reach the threshold needed to move forward. Running the measure again is part of the original process laid out and is listed in the original proclamation.
In Camas, the City did not reduce its general property tax levy by the full amount of the cost of the fire department. Instead, they pledged to reduce it by a lesser levy rate ($0.60 per $1,000 of assessed value) which would maintain a healthier City general fund balance to support the remaining City services. Responding to feedback from the community in the wake of the failed ballot measure, the City of Camas re-assessed and determined the effective levy rate of only the cost of the fire department ($0.71 per $1,000 of assessed value), and like Washougal, both cities have created a resolution of intent to reduce the general property tax by the full cost of their contribution to the fire department.
In addition to the reduction of property tax levies in each City, the formation of an RFA would also provide a higher level of service by providing three-person teams. It would also waive ambulance transport fees for RFA residents.
For more information: https://engagecamas.com/rfa-proposal or https://cityofwashougal.us/RFA
*Calculations are the average assessed value of homes and not market value.