The City of Othello and Adams County Fire District #5 successfully entered into an agreement in September 2001, whereby the Fire District provides: department services, fire protection, education, and inspections for the citizens of the City of Othello. The department is under the direction of the District Chief. The agreement is for a term of five years minimum and automatically renews unless terminated, with a two year prior written notice by either legislative body.

The City of Othello built a 7,000 square foot Fire Station in 2003, which is located next to the County's Fire Station, making it accessible for quick response for all fire fighters. The Fire Station accommodates fire equipment and vehicles, a training facility for the volunteers, citizens, and other organizations. The construction cost was $364,536.96 and was paid out of the City's Utility Tax Fund. The contractor was Legacy Construction Group of Moses Lake.

ACFD is governed by a Board of Commissioners: Jay Weise, Peter Anderson and Chad Smith. Fire Chief Tom Salsbury is supported by a well-trained staff; Administrative Secretary Nelda Gomez, and mechanic Randy Guse.

Othello City Council to consider fire district annexation Oct 12 - Udpdated 10/6/2026

Public invited to attend as Council considers next step in process

OTHELLO, Wash.— The Othello City Council will consider an ordinance on Oct. 12 regarding the proposed annexation of the City into Adams County Fire Protection District #5.

The City currently contracts with the Fire District for fire and rescue services. The current agreement expires in 2027, and the City and Fire District have been discussing annexation as a long-term approach to providing and funding those services.

Under annexation, Othello property owners would pay the same fire levy rate directly to the Fire District as property owners elsewhere in the district. The Fire District’s current levy rate is $0.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

“The Council has taken time to consider the options and discuss what annexation would mean for our community,” said City Administrator Aaron Garza. “The Oct. 12 meeting is the next step in that public process and an opportunity for residents to learn more.”

If the Council approves moving forward, annexation would still require additional action by the City and Fire District to place the proposal before voters. Annexation can take effect only if approved by voters in both the City of Othello and Adams County Fire District #5. The City and Fire District have been discussing placing the measure on the April 2027 ballot.

The City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at Othello City Hall, 500 E. Main St. The meeting is open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend.

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Adams County Fire Protection District #5 provides fire protection, rescue services, and assistance on emergency medical calls to approximately 7,600 residents across 215 square miles in unincorporated Adams County. Through a contract with the City of Othello, the district also provides fire and rescue services to approximately 9,600 city residents. The district is staffed by five career firefighters and 31 volunteer emergency personnel.

City of Othello Questions and Answers Regarding Upcoming Annexation - Updated 9/14/2026

Questions about the future of fire service in Othello?
Adams County Fire District #5 (ACFD5) currently provides fire protection, rescue services,
fire prevention, life-safety programs and fire marshal services to the City of Othello through
a contract. The City and Fire District have worked together under this arrangement for more
than two decades. The current service contract expires in 2027. The City and Fire District
are discussing annexation as a possible long-term approach for providing and funding fire
and rescue services. Annexation has not been approved.

What is annexation?
Annexation would make the City of Othello part of ACFD5. City property owners would pay
the Fire District’s levy directly and receive fire and rescue services as residents of the
district rather than through a city contract. Under annexation, property owners in Othello
and across the Fire District would pay the same fire levy rate.

Has annexation been approved?
No. The City and Fire District have signed a pre-annexation agreement that outlines how
the transition would work if annexation is ultimately approved. Signing the agreement did
not annex the City into the Fire District. Annexation can take effect only with approval from
voters in both the City and Fire District.

Why are the City and Fire District discussing this?
The City has contracted with ACFD5 for fire and rescue services for many years. As the cost
of providing those services has increased, maintaining the contract has placed more
pressure on the City’s general fund, which also supports services such as police, parks and
recreation, planning, and development. Annexation would provide a more stable, long-term
way to fund fire and rescue services.

What would annexation cost Othello property owners?
Fire District property owners currently pay a fire levy of $0.90 per $1,000 of assessed
property value. Under annexation, Othello property owners would pay that same levy rate
directly to the Fire District. The City Council determines whether, and by how much, to
reduce the City’s general property tax levy in connection with annexation. The overall tax
impact for Othello property owners depends on the amount of that reduction.

Would the City continue paying for fire service?
No. If annexation were approved, the City would no longer pay the Fire District through a
service contract. Fire services would instead be funded directly through the Fire District
levy paid by property owners throughout ACFD5. The City Council would determine how to
address the property tax revenue currently used to help fund the fire service contract.

What happens next?
Annexation requires approval from the City Council and Fire District Board to place a
measure on the ballot. The City and Fire District are currently discussing whether to place
an annexation measure on the April 2027 ballot. If a measure is placed on the ballot, it
must pass in both the City of Othello and Adams County Fire District #5 before annexation
can take effect.

Where can I learn more?
Residents are encouraged to follow updates from Adams County Fire District #5 and the
City of Othello and attend public meetings as discussions continue. Contact Fire Chief Tom
Salsbury at 509-488-2951 or City Administrator Aaron Garza at 509-488-5686 with
questions.

Fire Department Update - 7/28/2026
City of Othello begins discussion of potential fire district annexation