Meaure number coming soon!
Coming to the 2026 May Ballot
What does this mean?
Each former fire organization (Tillamook Fire District and Bay City Fire Department) would dissolve and create one, NEW district that would serve approximately 18,385 permanent residents in the Tillamook and Bay City areas.
What would the tax rate be?
A new district would replace any existing fire tax rate with a new tax rate of $1.49 per $1,000 assessed property value for Tillamook and Bay City property owners. This new tax rate could generate $2.46 million annually for district operations.
How is the tax rate changing?
Tillamook property owners are currently paying $0.69 per $1,000 assessed property value. This rate was created in 1993 and has not increased since!
Bay City property owners are currently paying $1.80 per $1,000 assessed property value. This rate was created as a five-year levy in 2022 and is set to expire in 2027. This tax rate would dissolve in the event of the formation of the Tillamook Bay Fire District.
What will the tax rate go towards?
District operations for Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue Rural Fire Protection including:
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Staffing
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Training
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Upgrades (when necessary) to reliable fire gear and apparatus
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Long-term sustainability for the district overall without coming back to the voters for years to come
How long will the tax rate be in place?
Indefinitely or until the district proposes a tax change to the voters.
Who will oversee the new district?
A Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue Rural Fire Protection District would operate under the direction of a new board of directors, elected by voters.
Who will vote for the measure?
Voting residents currently served by Tillamook Fire District including those in: Tillamook, Cape Meares, Idaville, and the areas of Juno Hill, Trask, Wilson, Fairview, South Prairie, Bewley Creek, and Pleasant Valley.
AND
Voting residents currently served by the Bay City Fire Department in Bay City, Oregon.
What will be on the ballot?
Tillamook voters will need to vote YES twice:
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To dissolve the existing Tillamook Fire District
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For the creation of a new fire district
Bay City voters will only need to vote YES once:
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For the creation of a new fire district
(Bay City City Council has already passed a resolution to dissolve the Bay City Fire Department in the event of the creation of the new Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue District.)
When is the election?
May 19, 2026
How do I register to vote?
https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/pages/registration.aspx?lang=en
