Clark County Fire District 3 Chief Scott Sorenson wants to hear from residents about why they did not support a levy “lid lift” in August.
Clark County Fire District 3 ran a vote to lift its levy rate by 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in August. The vote only gained about 46% approval. The lid lift would have funded additional personnel to respond to higher call volumes and reduce response times in more rural areas of the district.
The chief will be available at both 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each Tuesday through Oct. 24 at different stations across the district.
“We heard voters, and as a result, we need to plan a path forward,” Sorenson said in a news release. “We have always delivered projects we promised on time and on budget. This vote was a surprise to us. I welcome the opportunity to meet with residents and learn more about their concerns with our latest funding request.”
According to a press release, the fire district may have to reduce staffing because of the levy lid lift failure. Other cuts may include not replacing apparatus and medical equipment and eliminating technical training for firefighters. These funding decisions are still being discussed by the Board of Fire Commissioners, according to the release.“We need help, and it’s hard for us to say that,” Sorenson said in the release. “However, I would be doing a disservice to our community and my position as fire chief if I didn’t.”
Sorenson will be available at these times and places, both at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.:
• Oct. 3 at Station 32, 21503 NE 227th Ave. in Battle Ground
• Oct. 10 at Station 33, 18209 NE 259th St. in Battle Ground
• Oct. 17 at Station 34, 24812 NE Rawson Road in Brush Prairie
• Oct. 24 at Station 35, 505 SW First St. in Battle Ground
Remote opportunities through Zoom will also be available on the listed Tuesdays. Links for those events set for 11 a.m. will be available at fire3.org.
Sorenson will also be available by appointment or at a Coffee with the Chief on the following dates:
• 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at Blue Castle Coffee, 802 SE 14th Ave.
• 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at Founder’s Mercantile and Coffee, 317 E. Main St.
• 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Devs Coffee Bar Battle Ground, 316 E. Main St.
To schedule an appointment with Fire Chief Scott Sorenson, email scott@fire3.org or call 360-989-7375.
