A resolution passed by the the city of Union in April 2024 could increase the fee residential and business units are charged for fire and EMS service for the first time since 2013. 

UNION — Union city officials are hoping that the second time will be the charm.

The city has filed with the Union County Clerk’s Office to place an annexation measure on the May 21 primary election ballot. Measure 31-120 will ask that the Union Rural Fire Department annex the Union Fire Department and its emergency medical services, according to Union Mayor Susan Hawkins.

The Union City Council voted earlier this year to have the city put the measure on the ballot. The city filed the necessary paperwork with the Union County Clerk’s office on March 20.

Measure 31-120 is very similar to Measure 31-118, which Union voters passed, 378-163, in the August 2023 mail election. Measure 31-118 failed, though, because voter turnout was well shy of what is required for a 50% plus one majority. The Oregon Constitution requires double majorities for property-tax elections that take place outside of May or November.

In the May 21 election, if a majority of voters cast ballots in support of Measure 31-120, it will pass regardless of the turnout.

The proposed annexation would impact how fire protection is funded.

The city now funds and operates the Union Fire Department. Funds for its fire service are provided through a $10 fee all residents who receive utility service are charged each month. The Union Rural Fire Department, however, receives its funding from its taxing district and operates under the guidance of the district’s elected board.

If Measure 31-120 passes, the city fee would go away and a new property tax would determine how much people pay for the service. The property tax rate would be $1.2292 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a home with an assessed value of $200,000 would have paid $245.84 in property taxes in 2023-24 for fire and emergency medical services.

Hawkins said she supports the proposed annexation because it would allow the people living inside Union’s city limits to determine whether what they pay for fire protection and emergency medical services is increased.

“It would give people more of a say in what they pay,” she said.

Hawkins said now all it takes is a vote of the city council to change what people living within the city limits pay for fire protection and emergency medical services.

The mayor also said the annexation would boost efficiency by reducing duplication. For example, there would not be a need for duplicate liability insurance and equipment.

Ballots for the May 21 primary will be mailed by the Union County Clerk’s Office on May 1.