Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) will host a community forum on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. at Station 21 regarding tax increment financing (TIF) and its effects on the fire district and others.
The fire district stated the effects are damaging to it and agencies such as libraries, parks, road maintenance funds and county general funds, along with other fire districts. The fire districts added that the community forum focuses on relaying the information with residents and business owners alike.
CCFR stated the primary funding source for the district is regular property tax fire levies. They stated the recent TIF ordinances by the Port of Ridgefield and the City of Ridgefield threaten their ability to fund operations. As well, the Port of Woodland plans to adopt a TIF ordinance in April that will further hinder CCFR’s ability to fund emergency services.
The community forum on March 24 is slated for 6 p.m. at Station 21, 911 N. 65th Ave. in Ridgefield. To request more information regarding TIF and the impacts on CCFR, email Fire Chief John Nohr at john.nohr@clarkfr.org.
