Fire District Pushes for Annexing of Franklin County "Donut Hole"
FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Pasco is still hoping to annex a piece of Franklin County known as the "donut hole." Under state law, it only needs approval of the Fire District and the County. The fire district is ready to get negotiations under way they tried to get the Franklin County commissioners on-board Wednesday.
Fire District officials told commissioners, if the annexation happens this way, the fire district and the county will have a seat at the table and could make the process go smoother.
Otherwise, the city could annex parts of the donut hole piece by piece without their input.
"It is in the community's best interest that the fire district come out of this on the other end in the best possible shape," said Todd Blackman with Franklin County Fire District 3.
Commissioners said they've heard concerns from people living in the donut hole who don't want to be annexed at all.
Commissioners say they want more time to hear from people living in the donut hole before making a decision.
"It's especially important what the people who liver there feel and what they think. It's not our county, it's theirs," said Commissioner Brad Peck.
They postponed a decision on whether or not to enter into annexation negotiations until next week.
Fire District officials told commissioners, if the annexation happens this way, the fire district and the county will have a seat at the table and could make the process go smoother.
Otherwise, the city could annex parts of the donut hole piece by piece without their input.
"It is in the community's best interest that the fire district come out of this on the other end in the best possible shape," said Todd Blackman with Franklin County Fire District 3.
Commissioners said they've heard concerns from people living in the donut hole who don't want to be annexed at all.
Commissioners say they want more time to hear from people living in the donut hole before making a decision.
"It's especially important what the people who liver there feel and what they think. It's not our county, it's theirs," said Commissioner Brad Peck.
They postponed a decision on whether or not to enter into annexation negotiations until next week.
More to Explore
Learn about changes coming to commenting