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Ballot includes fire district annexations By TONY BOOM Eagle Point voters and residents of Dead Indian Memorial Road east of Ashland will vote on annexations into different Jackson County fire districts in the March 13 special election. Residents already in the districts also vote on the annexations. Voters in Eagle Point and Fire District 3 both must approve the annexation for it to take place. In contrast, even if residents in the proposed Dead Indian Memorial Road annexation area vote down the proposal, it could still pass � if Fire District 5 patrons vote in favor and the combined total is a majority. "The annexations are governed by different procedural statutes," said Debbie Minder of the Jackson County counsel�s office. Eagle Point already has fire and emergency medical services through District 3 under a contract that expires June 30. If voters don�t approve the annexation, the contract can be extended and another vote taken in November. Failure of a November vote would result in the city supplying its own fire protection beginning in 2002. District 3 would acquire land in Eagle Point to build and equip a new fire station if the annexation is approved, said District Chief Randy Iverson. He anticipates the district would spend between $1.2 million and $1.4 million. "All the money that comes in from Eagle Point will go right back into infrastructure in Eagle Point," said Iverson. "It also means other voters (in the district) won�t pay for Eagle Point." The district�s tax rate for 2001-2002 is projected to decline from $3.12 per thousand to $2.67 per thousand, primarily because of the annexation of Central Point into the district last September. Annexation of Eagle Point doesn�t change the projection because additional revenue will be used for the station. Eagle Point could become the fourth Jackson County municipality in recent years to join a fire district. Central Point voters annexed into District 3 in September 2000. Talent annexed into Fire District 5 in 1999. Gold Hill annexed into District 3 five years ago. Eagle Point Public Safety Director Dave Strand says he hasn�t heard of any organized opposition to the measure, even though homeowners would pay additional tax for District 3 service. Annexation would add about $400 to the tax bill of a $150,000 home. Annexation of the lands along Dead Indian Memorial Road from milepost 3 to milepost 12 would add 12 square miles and about 100 residences to Fire District 5. The district has 8,545 registered voters in a 105-square-mile area. "There would be no additional cost to those already in the district," said Chief Dan Marshall. The district�s current tax rate is $3.19 per $1,000 of assessed value. Marshall said the district could serve the area with its existing delivery system. The district�s Emigrant Lake station is located about two miles south on Highway 66 from its junction with Dead Indian Memorial Road. Opponent Dorothy Mitchell, who owns property in the proposed annexation area, said she believes the district could not respond fast enough to stop structure fires. Supporters of the annexation say it would lower their fire insurance rates. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.