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Ashland, Fire District 5 consider joining forces Firefighters from Ashland Fire & Rescue and Jackson County Fire District 5 often respond to calls together, such as this fire at Alchemical Solutions on Benson Way in south Ashland in 2012. Mail Tribune file photo Thursday Jan 5, 2017 at 12:12 PM Jan 5, 2017 at 4:46 PM Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Officials at Ashland Fire & Rescue and Jackson County Fire District 5 have begun talks on possibly forming a new fire district that would encompass both territories. But details have yet to be worked out before a feasibility study can be commissioned, they said. The new district would have to be approved by voters in the city and Fire District 5, which includes Talent and Phoenix. Interim City Manager John Karns estimated a feasibility study would cost $45,000 to $50,000. A document he prepared for a November City Council study session suggests the two entities would split the cost. “Right now this (study) is an unfunded project. Even if we decide to go ahead, it may not go until next fiscal year,” said Karns. “It’s simply an offer out there to potentially contract with someone who could look at what is going on.” Consolidation of fire services is a trend throughout the nation, Karns said. The two departments respond to many calls together, so it is logical to look at consolidation, he said. Ashland approached the district about consolidation, said District 5 board Chairman Bill Robertson. Ashland has considered how to address fire service deficiencies since 2015, and exploration of a special district or combination were suggested options. Top officials from both bodies have met since mid-year. District 5 is uncertain how it would fund a study and also questions whether forming a new district is the way to go, said Robertson. “We are really early in that process,” said Robertson. “District 5 has never been big on hiring consultants. We have annexed a couple of cities, with unbelievably popular support.” Annexation of Ashland into the district might be one way to go, suggested Robertson. But Karns said because Ashland Fire & Rescue offers a larger suite of services, forming a new district might be the better way to proceed. AFR offers ambulance services, forest protection programs, a Community Emergency Response Team program and emergency preparedness and management functions to an extent that District 5 does not offer, said Karns. District 5 has ambulance coverage in its area supplied by the city and Mercy Flights. Questions that would have to be asked include how district liabilities, such as payment of public employee retirement benefits and building and equipment debts would be handled, said Robertson. “To form a new district is quite a bit of work,” said District 5 legal counsel Matial Henault during a special board meeting Tuesday. Any combination that forms a new district could be as much as three years out, he added. Ashland and the district have about equal population numbers. District 5 covers about 115 square miles in south Jackson County surrounding Ashland. A special fire district would mean another tax bill for Ashland residents. Fire services are currently covered in the city budget. Fire District 5 assesses residents $3.19 per $1,000 of valuation for services. Ashland residents pay a little less, according to information the district received, said Robertson. — Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].