WA Fire Commissioners Association

Questions & Answers Archives

The following are questions and answers that have appeared on the WFCA homepage. The date following the answer indicates the time at which the question was sent to Archives.

Q. How do I get in touch with my state legislators?

A. Visit www.leg.wa.gov which has a "Find Your Legislator" and "Find Your District" section among its many features. (May 2008)

Q. I'm a private citizen and I would like to make a donation to my fire district; would this be tax deductible?

A. Yes. IRS guidelines stipulate that donations to political subdivisions are tax deductible. (May 2008)

Q. Does our fire district need to pass a resolution for the commissioners to receive the increase in commissioner compensation passed by the legislature this year?

A. No. Fire district statutes state that a commissioner shall receive the compensation and the amount is specifically included in the statute. (January 2008)

Q. I'm a private citizen and I would like to make a donation to my fire district; would this be tax deductible?

A. Yes. IRS guidelines stipulate that donations to political subdivisions are tax deductible. (January 2008)

Q. Has the commissioner compensation bill become effective?

A. Yes, the commissioner compensation bill (HB 1368) became effective on July 22, 2007. The $70 per day is increased to $90 with a new yearly maximum of $8,640. (August 2007)

Q. Can I choose to waive a portion of my commissioner compensation?

A. Yes. Any commissioner may waive all or any portion of his or her compensation payable as to any month or months during his/her term of office by a written waiver filed with the secretary. To be effective, the waiver must be filed any time after the commissioner's election and prior to the date on which the compensation would otherwise be paid. The waiver shall specify the month or period of months for which it is made (RCW 52.14.010). (August 2007)

Q. I have heard that a fire district can charge schools a per child fee for fire protection--is this true, and if so, where can I find more information?

A. RCW 52.30 states that public agencies located within fire districts shall contract with fire districts if they do not have the ability to provide their own fire protection. Criteria was developed in 1974 to provide school district contract dollars to fire districts. This funding is located in the Superintendent of Public Instruction state budget and is based on a per pupil school enrollment figure. It is recommended that you contact your local school district to coordinate an enrollment based on $1 per pupil. Your fire district is entitled to school contract dollars located in your fire district. (May 2007)

Q. What is the procedure and cost for advertising in the WFCA newsletter, Fireline?

A. Advertising in the Fireline is offered free of charge to member fire districts. It is preferable that ads be submitted to the WFCA via email, but ads sent by mail and fax will be accepted. You may also submit ads for inclusion on the WFCA website. (May 2007)

Q. If a district wants to purchase something on the state bid list, what is the district's responsibility for complying with the bid laws, insofar as making that purchase and documenting everything properly? If the district finds a lower price than the state bid, can it purchase the product at the lower price without going through the normal bidding procedures?

A. The estimated cost of the equipment purchase will determine whether the equipment is exempt from the formal bidding process. RCW 52.14.110 states that materials, supplies and equipment under $10,000 are not subject to any bidding requirement. RCW 52.14.110(2), as referenced in RCW 39.04.190, requires the establishment of a vendors' list for purchases between $10,000 and $50,000, which provides for telephone or written quotes. If the purchase is over $50,000 and is not on the state bid list, then a formal bid process must be used. Please call the WFCA office at 1.800.491.9322 if you have further questions concerning the bid process. (September 2006)

Q. What is the maximum dollar amount that a fire commissioner can receive doing business as an individual with the fire district?

A. RCW 42.23 (Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers: Contract Interests) states that a municipal officer (which includes fire commissioners) cannot be involved in any contract in which his or her business receives more than $1,500 per month. (September 2006)

Q. Will the need for Boards to have a continuation of operations plan related to the pandemic flu be addressed by the WFCA and perhaps information provided at this year's conference?

A. For information on planning for an influenza pandemic, visit www.doh.wa.gov/panflu/plansummary.htm. (May 2006)

Q. Where can I find out information on fire district levy rates?

A. We recommend you contact your local county assessor's office. Each county has a list of levy rates for their taxing districts, including fire districts. (April 2006)