I would like to suggest that every voter considering the RFA proposal watch this very short, very well done video from a terrific Minnesota-based nonprofit called "Strong Towns." This video is a very well done explanation of the "Growth Ponzi Scheme" and contains a super-concise summary of the cause at the root of most of the fiscal problems that the entire S. Sound area faces: "near rural densities with urban amenities." It's simply unsustainable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI3kkk2JdoI
I haven't reached a definite conclusion about the RFA, but the more I look and the more I read, the more questions I have. Some RFA advocates insist we are in a "crisis" of fire funding, but neither city leadership is saying that.
And if we are in a crisis of funding for fire services, isn't it irresponsible for city leaders to propose simply spinning off a key municipal service to a whole new special purpose government without explaining how THAT government won't wind up back in a crisis, given that nothing is changing except adding a layer of administrative overhead and the costs of new elections etc.? And if both Olympia and Tumwater councils are saying they need more money for fire, why not simply ask the voters for more money for fire?
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