Shoreline Fire Board approves labor agreement, advances Station 51 carport project

The Shoreline Fire Department Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Governing Board approved a labor agreement, adopted updated board procedures, and supported moving forward with a vehicle carport project at Station 51 at its Oct. 1 meeting.

The board also reviewed the department’s August financial report and received updates on a potential expansion of the regional fire authority to include Bothell and Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 10.

Board approves labor agreement and updated procedures

Commissioners unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1760 covering non-uniform employees. The agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

The board authorized Fire Chief Matt Cowan to execute the agreement, including any mutually agreed-upon, non-substantive changes between labor and management.

Commissioners also approved updated Governing Board Rules of Procedure. The revisions incorporated recommendations the board had made during a Sept. 1 special meeting.

Both measures passed with seven votes in favor.

Station 51 carport project moves forward

The board expressed consensus to proceed with Option A, the full project scope outlined in an executive summary for a proposed vehicle carport at Station 51.

Deputy Chief Andres Orams said the project aims to protect department vehicles from the weather and improve employee access in adverse conditions.

The department previously solicited proposals through a request-for-proposals process. Moon Construction submitted a proposal that exceeded the original project budget.

The board reviewed options, including electrical improvements to support department vehicles and equipment, as well as the possibility of installing solar panels in the future.

The department will fund the project through its capital fund using available 2026 funding. Remaining costs will be incorporated into the proposed 2027 budget.

Wildland deployments drive overtime costs

Cowan presented the August 2026 financial summary. Commissioners questioned the overtime increase, which continues to run higher than anticipated.

The report listed total overtime of approximately $551,714, including about $431,382 for firefighting staffing and $120,332 for basic life support and emergency medical services staffing.

Cowan attributed much of August’s significant increase to wildland fire deployments. The department expects to be reimbursed for most deployment-related costs within the next several months.

The report also showed approximately $30.34 million in ending cash balances across all funds and about $14.45 million in cash on hand in the general expense fund at the end of August.

A separate variance in the Community Outreach budget was attributed to salary and associated benefit costs. Officials said they would address the issue through a transfer of funds.

The board approved $3,594,938.52 in disbursements.

Potential regional fire authority expansion

Cowan reported that ballots would soon be mailed to voters regarding the potential integration of Bothell and Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 10 into the RFA.

According to the meeting minutes, Bothell is no longer planning to hold a public meeting on the proposed integration. The district developed a frequently asked questions document to provide information to the public.

The board also heard that a preliminary plan for relocating department headquarters could involve Station 51 if Bothell and Fire District No. 10 join the RFA. An administrative office walkthrough focused primarily on potential changes to Station 51, with minor modifications to Station 61 also being considered.

Climate action and department operations

Commissioner Eric Adman reported that the Climate Action Committee is implementing the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and entering facility energy-use data.

The committee developed a spreadsheet to track utility use and billing by station, along with vehicle fuel consumption. The committee also reviewed the department’s LED lighting capital project. Its next meeting was scheduled for Nov. 16.

Commissioners also discussed a boiler drain water leak. Officials said the affected area was office space without the same monitoring safeguards as the department’s technology room, resulting in some equipment damage.

The Oct. 1 meeting began at 5:30 p.m. at Station 61 and adjourned at 6:07 p.m. No public comment was received, and the executive session listed on the agenda for collective bargaining negotiations was not held.

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