SANDPOINT — Following a recent Selkirk Joint Powers Association meeting, Sagle and Westside Fire District representatives plan to speak with their respective commissioners to vote on joining the Idaho State Fire Commissioners’ Association.

Will Gadsby, representing Westside Fire District, said the district had been a member in the past but ISFCA membership had disappeared out of the budget.

Sandpoint Councilwoman Kate McAlister asked if it would be beneficial to bring back the membership.

“At the time it could have been [beneficial] for legal aid and ethics,” said Will Gadsby representing Westside Fire District.

Jim Woodward, representing Sagle Fire District, said ISFCA has a lobbyist at the House of Representatives and that could give local fire districts a voice before to the Legislature.

Since the city of Sandpoint already has a membership with the Association of Idaho Cities, which covers city fire, Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton said joining ISFCA would be a better option for Westside and Sagle fire districts.

She also said that there may be a push for lobbyists for resort cities at the next legislative session as well.

The cost for the ISFCA membership is for each fire district, so cost sharing would not factor into memberships, said Gadsby. He proposed that fire district officials at the meeting take his suggestion back to their respective boards.

A motion was made and approved.

Due to absence, Chief Gavin Gilcrease was unable to give his chief’s report, so City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton spoke on his behalf. Officer promotional testing scheduled for the end of January.

Gadsby said that the Westside approved a pay raise for engineers which meets the same wages already offered by the Sagle Fire District and Sandpoint Fire Department. He said that this will help with staff that comes back and forth across the districts.

Stapleton added that now it is an even playing field across stations when it comes to wages.