In August 2025, the elected board of TFD and the elected City Council of Bay City approved the formation of a Joint Steering Committee to evaluate the terms and conditions for the formation of a new fire district. This Steering Committee was comprised of elected officials, volunteer firefighters, ports, and citizens. The full committee met every other week for over three months, discussing, debating, and unanimously recommending a list items that were presented to the two elected bodies.
On November 18th, the elected Board of Tillamook Fire District and the elected City Council of Bay City each voted unanimously to recommend to the County Commissioners that the formation of the Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue Rural Fire Protection District be placed on the ballot for approval by the voters in May 2026, with a permanent tax base of $1.49/1,000.
The elected City Council of Tillamook voted unanimously to pass a similar resolution on December 1st.
At 9:45 am on January 14, 2026, the Board of Tillamook County Commissioners held a First Public Hearing: Concerning an Order in the Matter of a Preliminary Order Approving the Formation of the Tillamook Bay Fire and Rescue Rural Fire Protection District (RFPD). The Commissioners set the Second Public Hearing for February 11, 2026, at which they approved the measure to be placed on the May 2026 ballot.
Measure 29-185, dissolving the Tillamook Fire District, will appear on the May 19, 2026 ballot.
Measure 29-186, forming the Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue RFPD, will appear on the May 19, 2026 ballot.
The May 19, 2026 ballot will also include the election of five board members to serve on the board of the Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue RFPD, if Measures 29-185 & 29-186 are both approved by the voters.