# Bellingham Regional Fire Authority: Fire Benefit Charge Public Hearing, October 14, 2026

The City of Bellingham held a public hearing and special meeting on October 14, 2026, about a proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) and fire benefit charge. Officials described rising fire and EMS demand—about 35% growth and roughly 9,000 additional calls annually over the past decade—and said the city’s constrained revenues have contributed to an $8 million projected 2027 budget deficit. The proposal would fund fire and EMS through a dedicated property tax of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value and an annual fire benefit charge based on building size, use, and other factors; the charge would be capped at 60% of the RFA’s operating budget. Officials cited a median-home estimate of $81 per month for the combined charges and said the RFA could support two additional basic-life-support ambulances, station work, and response-time capacity. If the proposal does not pass, they anticipate cuts that could include about 40 full-time-equivalent positions and elimination of an ambulance unit. A voter decision was described as targeted for February.

Public commenters challenged the benefit-charge formula, citing disparities between similarly sized condominiums and apartments, steep commercial-building tier increases, and affordability concerns. Others questioned whether the needs assessment adequately documented costs and alternatives, and objected to the proposed funding approach. No contracts, bids, or purchasing approvals were presented, and no vote on the proposal was recorded; the hearing was closed and the meeting adjourned.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Published:** October 14, 2026

### Sources
- [Bellingham Regional Fire Authority: Fire Benefit Charge Public Hearing, October 14, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVeTVdXUsYI) - City of Bellingham, Washington