Could Measure 3-634 pass on May 19? Voluntary poll shows some changed minds voting for annexation this election

By Brit Allen, The Sandy Standard

On May 19, Measure 3-634 will return to the ballot. Six months ago, the Sandy Fire Board put the same decision in front of the voters to choose whether Sandy Fire continues to independently contract with Clackamas Fire, or is annexed into the Clackamas Fire District. 

In February, Sandy Fire Board Member Ron Lesowski said: “The people spoke, and they told us ‘no.’ (Maybe) We didn't tell our story correctly.” 

So for the better part of 2026, the Sandy Fire Board, the Local 1159 union of firefighters, and the Sandy Area Citizens for Better Fire and Emergency Services have been working to better inform the public on the annexation and what it would mean — for Sandy and for both departments — and bridge the gap between the “no” and “yes” votes. 

The measure was voted down in November by only 174 votes. 

For the Sandy Fire District, the move to annex Sandy as part of Clackamas Fire is not only a cost-saving measure, but done in order to enhance service for the Sandy community, according to members of the board. 

Clackamas Fire has been serving the Sandy community since 2021, first through an intergovernmental agreement, then an operational contract. So while they supply the apparatus and control the staffing of those serving Sandy, Sandy Fire district still exists independently. 

At the time the operational contract was signed in 2023, Sandy Fire District made the move because they saw a need for more boots on the ground in the area. And financially, they were not set up to meet those needs indefinitely. Plus the number of volunteer firefighters for many districts had seen a decrease at that time.

So by contracting with Clackamas, they could boost the number of firefighters answering calls in Sandy, increase the amount of vehicles available to the community, and retain the same tax rate. 

The current tax rate for Sandy Fire is $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value, and has not changed in decades. The tax rate if Sandy annexed into Clackamas Fire District would be $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

To see where people stand on the measure as we near the May 19 election, The Sandy Standard conducted a survey via social media. 

Remaining resistance 

While the 59.1% of those who responded to this survey said they planned to vote “yes” this go-round, some retained their reservations about the annexation. 

Some expressed tax fatigue, others argued that keeping the fire department locally owned and funded was in the community’s best interest. Others simply questioned why this measure was being brought forward again when “this was already voted on last November.” 

“(I’m) tired of being taxed more and more every single time an election comes around,” one anonymous responder gave as their reason for voting against the annexation. “While this tax may be minimal, add in the transportation tax, OTSD tax for schools (eventually), MHCC. Eventually, the people will have no money left to live.” 

“Local (government) should have control over local services,” another responder expressed. “We voted on this last election and the people already spoke. Why are we wasting taxpayer money to say it again?”

To clarify, the city of Sandy does not and has not been in control of the Sandy Fire District. 

Also, for context, the total cost to taxpayers for Clackamas Fire to file for this election and distribute factual information (not arguing for or against the measure, but stating what the annexation would affect) was estimated at less than $3,000. That said, according to PAC member Jim Syring, it is “typical” for agencies to budget some cost for participating in elections. 

“That is a required cost when you do an election,” he explained. But the money spent to campaign and support the passing of the measure, is “100% done via political action committee and citizens groups, all separate from the actual fire department.” 

Changing minds, voting “yes” 

With every issue there are a number of staunch positions on both sides. That said, with the survey, we at The Standard not only asked how people plan to vote on Measure 3-634 but how they voted and if they voted in November. 

Of the 22 respondents, 9.5% said they hadn’t voted in November, 42.9% said they planned to vote “no,” and 47.6% said they planned to vote in favor of the measure. 

From this, it would appear that at least a small percentage of the people who took the survey have changed their minds about how they’d vote this May. 

One person who responded that they didn’t vote in November but plan to vote “yes” in May said their reason for supporting the measure is a “much needed increase in firefighters due to the increase of emergencies in our community.”

Another respondent who originally voted against the measure said they’ll now vote in favor for a “higher level of service.”

“Taxes will increase with Clackamas or if Sandy decides (to continue) operations with Sandy Fire District,” they said. 

One staunch supporter, who voted yes in November and plans to do so again this month, said they favor annexing into Clackamas Fire because “the city of Sandy is growing and with that the number of staffed firefighters and available resources also needs to grow.”

“Sandy Fire Department did not have, nor could they get, the money that was needed to keep up with that growth or to provide the resources Clackamas has,” the supporter said. “At least not without astronomically raising taxes. Yes, there will be a small tax hike with Clackamas, but with that comes peace of mind that when the Fire Department is needed the wait times are short and the appropriate resources, engines, and personnel needed for the emergency are available. It will be sad to no longer see Sandy Fire on the engines, but I am okay with that if it means my family is kept safe. It just makes sense to vote ‘yes.’”

Of the 22 people who took the survey, these were the results: 

• 10 people voted “yes” in November and will vote the same on the May ballot
• 8 people voted “no” in November and will vote the same on the May ballot
• 2 people who didn’t vote in November said they will vote “yes” on the May ballot
• 1 person who voted “no” in November said they will vote “yes” on the May ballot
• 1 person did not disclose how they voted in November, but said they’ll vote “no” on the May ballot
• No one who responded said they voted “yes” in November but changed their mind 
• No one who responded said they didn’t vote in November but will vote “no” on the May ballot 

Aside from those represented by the survey, several community members responded with their opinions within the comment threads of the posts containing the survey link. These opinions ran the gamut on both sides of the issue. 

Ready, set, vote

If you plan to vote in the May 19 election, ballots should be arriving in mailboxes around May 7. You can contact Clackamas County Elections at 503-655-8510 or elections@clackamas.us or visit clackamas.us/elections for more information about the election or if you have not received your ballot by May 7. 

There are two ballot dropboxes in Sandy if you’d prefer to use them rather than mail your ballot. One is behind Sandy City Hall, 39250 Pioneer Blvd., and the other is outside Sandy Public Library, 38980 Proctor Blvd.