Yes or No?

Those questions will be put to an advisory vote in the November election.

The measure passed in a rare split vote of the council 4-2. But it wasn’t the only controversial vote at the council meeting July 27.

The council also voted 4-2 to end its relationship with the Marysville Fire District. The council hasn’t decided what to do to replace that system, but it felt it had to give notice because of a three-year termination requirement in the contract.

Council Members Michael Stevens and Rob Toyer voted against the majority in both cases. Jeff Vaughan, Jeff Siebert, Donna Wright and Stephen Muller voted with the majority. Camille Norton was absent.

Muller took the lead in asking for the non-binding fireworks advisory vote.

“They want us to step up and quit dancing around the issue,” Muller said of the public.

The council started discussing a ban last year and established a committee of stakeholders. Despite numerous meetings, that panel could not come to a consensus. Because an online survey showed 51 percent of city residents favor fireworks, nothing changed.

But Muller said many seniors didn’t take the online poll. They are more likely to vote, he said.

“It just gives us more information,” Muller said.

If the council was going to do anything, it was facing an Aug. 2 deadline to get on the ballot. Vaughan was worried about putting a measure together at the last minute.

“I don’t feel comfortable not know how it would read,” Vaughan said.

Siebert, who had seconded the motion, agreed.

But Wright said, “A ban is a ban.”

Muller agreed. “Keep it simple,” he said, adding putting such a controversial measure on the ballot could increase voter turnout.

Stephens said the community obviously loves fireworks.

“I could see that from my back yard,” he said.

Even though he eventually voted for the measure, Vaughan expressed some concerns.

“We were elected to make decisions, and we studied it,” Vaughan said. “In my twelve years or so this is a different way for the council to do business.”

He said approving bans in other cities has taken years to work.

“Putting this to a vote will not shut down one side or the other,” he added.

Mayor Jon Nehring said the council is looking for a solid majority either way. “There’s passion on both sides” of the issue, he said.

Siebert was the one who brought up sending a letter to the fire district. It had been since Oct. 27, 2014 since the council had talked about this issue.

He said even though the city doesn’t know which way it wants to go, it knows it doesn’t want to continue with this same format.

“It’s the fair thing to let them know,” he said.

Vaughan reminded council members the reason they are looking at other options is the current system is a burden on Marysville taxpayers.

Muller said it looks even more unfair for local taxpayers in three to five years.

Stephens, who is on the fire board, recommended caution on the idea.

“This is a big decision, not to be trifled with,” Vaughan added.

The council decided Oct. 27, 2014, to look into forming a Regional Fire Authority to have more power over the fire department and to have a more-flexible taxing structure.

It also looked into starting its own department and annexing into District 12.

District 12 Commissioner Dave DeMarco said at the time that commissioners agree that the way fire services are set up now are unfair. It used to be the fire services were split 50-50, but when Marysville annexed so much property a few years ago the valuation is now 80 percent Marysville, 20 percent county. Still, the governing board is three from the county, three from the city.

Among the advantages of an RFA: Provides a governing board more representative of the population; funding source would not impact other city services; allows a property tax levy limitation; and allows residents to vote on property tax levies.

The Marysville Fire Department was formed in 1992 with Snohomish County Fire District 12. Fire District 20 joined years later. The district protects 55-square miles, including the city, Seven Lakes, Quil Ceda Village, and the east side of the Tulalip Reservation and unincorporated county.