Residents packed Othello’s city council chambers Monday evening to learn about the city’s plans to annex into Adams County Fire District 5 and repair the community pool. Both issues have sparked local debate for years.
Fire annexation
The city’s decision to pursue fire district annexation marks a complete reversal from its 2025 plan to create an independent fire department. For more than 20 years, Adams County Fire District 5 has provided fire services to Othello under contract. That contract required the city to pay about 65 cents per $1,000 in property value, similar to what county residents pay. Previous city leaders believed the city could operate its own department for less once the contract expired.
The vote sparked debate, with many residents opposing the creation of a city fire department. Since the 2025 election, new city leaders have abandoned those plans and now support official annexation.
City Administrator Aaron Garza said annexation will benefit residents. “It increases our economies of scale, combines our resources and makes fire services stronger. It also provides long-term sustainability,” he said.
Annexation brings complicated tax considerations.
The city’s tax situation remains complicated. When the city planned to form its own fire department, ACFD 5 asked voters within their district to approve a levy lid lift to offset lost revenue. The measure passed, raising the fire district levy to 90 cents per $1,000 in property value, up from 65 cents. City residents will pay this higher levy if annexation occurs. That’s significantly more than before.
The city council discussed perhaps lowering the city’s own tax levy slightly to offset some of the tax increase. However, some would be retained to help with the costs of repairing and operating the city pool.
Community pool repairs
Othello’s community pool has been closed since spring 2024 because of faulty plumbing. The city has known about improperly installed pipes since the pool’s original construction more than a decade ago. Water loss increased annually, reaching more than 34 million gallons in 2023. The pool could no longer operate safely. “We’ve reviewed the pool, and it obviously needs to be repaired,” Garza said.
The city considered several options to repair or replace the pool and sought community input. Price estimates ranged from nearly $4 million to over $21 million. The council ultimately proposed a $3.5 million bond to repair the pool’s plumbing and liner, with no other improvements. In April 2025, 55% of voters supported the measure, falling short of the 60% supermajority needed for passage.
Repair costs will continue to rise, Garza said. He now estimates the cost between $3.75 and $4 million.
Suggestions for ballot strategy discussed
Council members discussed annexation and taxation at Monday’s meeting. The council unanimously supports lowering the city’s tax levy to offset some of the increase. City Administrator Aaron Garza presented several ballot options:
- Two votes, one ballot: Voters would be asked to approve annexation into the fire district to approve the city retaining a portion of their current tax levy for pool repairs.
- One vote, one ballot: Voters would be asked to approve annexation and lowering/retaining a portion of the city’s current levy for pool repairs.
- Two votes, two ballots: The issues of annexation and taxation for the pool would be handled on separate ballots.
Garza said that annexation will be on the April 2027 ballot. A ballot measure for pool repairs cannot happen earlier than the February 2027 ballot. The city council will make formal decisions for ballot measures in an upcoming public meeting.
