MARYSVILLE – Months ago, the City Council and Fire District 12 seemed to agree that forming a Regional Fire Authority would be a good idea.

Now, they are not sure.

After working through the details of how they could make it happen, they are at a loggerheads, Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said.

“We’re taking a timeout,” he said. “We need a couple of inches to get there.”

The sticking point is the governing body. The city wants four representatives since it represents 80 percent of the assessed value and population of the district, leaving the fire district with one representative.

“The district commissioners don’t agree,” Nehring said.

The district sent out a letter that says: “All three District 12 commissioners are in favor of forming an RFA. The vast majority of the work has been completed, with an agreement reached on financing and transfer of assets that is favorable to residents of both jurisdictions.

But as for the governing body, the letter says the commissioners have proposed several models that would give the residents of Marysville the majority of positions on the new board.

However, they object to having four City Council members on the board.

“Marysville has been unwilling to compromise on the issue,” the letter says.

“We feel a majority of City Council members would simply be an extension of the city of Marysville and effectively become a new city department with independent taxing authority. We do not believe this is what legislators intended with the RFA laws,” the district letter says.

Nehring said city staff is studying the costs and benefits of forming its own fire department. A consultant previously found an RFA would be a better choice.

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.