Mayor Mike Rosen has appointed Edmonds police officer and Police Officers’ Association President William Morris to represent Edmonds on the Regional Fire Authority Board of Commissioners.
Morris has been an Edmonds police officer for six years and is assigned to the traffic unit. As Police Officers’ Association board president, he has served as a voice for the interests of Edmonds police officers, most recently expressing officers’ commitment to a collaborative partnership with the city as it navigates the budget crisis.
Prior to his law enforcement career, Morris served as an aviation electronics technician in the U.S. Navy and later worked as a commodities specialist at Puget Sound Energy.
“I am committed to building strong regional partnerships and ensuring the needs of Edmonds residents are effectively represented as the city transitions into the RFA,” Morris said. “I look forward to working collaboratively to enhance public safety and community services throughout the region.”
“Officer Morris brings a unique blend of experience in emergency response, unions and city policy, making him well-qualified to represent Edmonds residents,” Mayor Rosen said. “He’s a strategic thinker and skilled negotiator who will bring the same integrity, professionalism and dedication to this role as he does to his service with the Edmonds Police Department.”
The RFA is governed by a board of seven commissioners. Commissioners are responsible for defining the agency’s long-term vision and for adopting budget and policies.
Five of the seven commissioners are chosen from the five districts that comprise the RFA (see map here), and two are elected at-large from across the entire RFA. RFA Board elections are held in odd-numbered years (for example, 2023, 2025, 2027), and commissioners serve six-year terms.
Registered voters living in the RFA service territory get to vote on all fire and EMS ballot measures and all commissioners — both at-large and representing each of the five districts. As the newest member of the RFA, Edmonds voters will have their first chance to select the people who serve on the board in the upcoming Nov. 4, 2025, general election. Three commissioner seats are up for election this year, with two candidates filing to run for each. See the candidates on the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission website here.
With Edmonds now a full RFA member, Edmonds residents will be eligible to run for election to the board of commissioners. But before this can happen, district boundaries must be redrawn to include the City of Edmonds. (See map here.) The board of commissioners expects to begin redistricting in the first quarter of 2026 and will be seeking public input during that process.
Once the new districts are finalized, Edmonds residents will be able to run as full commissioners. The next opportunity will be in 2027 when two at-large seats will be contested.
While as a liaison he will not have a vote, Morris will sit on the board and be a voice for Edmonds’ interests in all discussions and decision processes.
“We are excited for William to join us and give a direct voice to the people of Edmonds in how your emergency services are provided,” said Jim Kenny, chair of the South County Fire Board of Commissioners. “William’s public safety experience offers a unique and welcome perspective on important decisions impacting emergency response.”
Learn more about the RFA Board of Commissioners here.
I sure hope Mr. Morris keeps in mind that he is representing all of Edmonds taxpayers in his RFA liaison role. Over 5,100 taxpayers voted against annexation because the RFA raised the price of fire/ems service from $12.5 million/yr. to over $21 million/yr – with no change in service. The city didn’t even bother to survey other cities like Edmonds that have their own fire/ems departments providing the same level of service at the $12 million run rate. Taxpayers will be paying more than $1,000 per year in incremental taxes to the RFA! Mr. Morris should demand the RFA prove they deliver economies of scale to residents by reporting on performance metrics that show costs per resident per year; costs per 911 call; costs per fire station; listings of all firefighter salaries every year; evidence of cost control/cost reduction programs; optimizing staffing with single role paramedics to answer 85% of 911 calls that are medical; answering why managers are able to earn overtime; answering why private ambulance service is not used to save 30-40% in emt costs; pushing the RFA to make good on $8 million in withheld hospital transport fees. Hopefully Mr. Mitchell will put taxpayers first, not the Mayor and Council who sided with the RFA and firefighters’ union to deceive residents rather than pursue the most economic fire/ems solution. https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-45-million-in-new-taxes
A huge thanks to Officer and Assn. President Morris for stepping up here on behalf of the actual Edmonds residents and paying RFA customers in our freshman year of annexation with the RFA. There could be a lot of new ground to cover. I also appreciate the mayor’s recruiting wisdom and prowess here with Officer Morris. Having said that, the Edmonds residents need to continue to be informed and voice concerns respectfully where warranted.
Bill, Officer Morris I do not know but he sure seems very qualified, and I think it’s a good idea to have a police officer who knows what’s going on in our area to do this job for us. He has very kind eyes and a warm open smile. I like that. Let’s give him a chance. It’s not his fault the RFA vote passed. HE knows it was by a small margin. We all know. We all want our money back NOW from the transport fees, I would think anyway. I think you are a concerned person Citizen Bill. We have never met but I do support you in some of your endeavors. Having seen his picture and read his creds I would love to meet officer Morris. Come over here Officer Morris and I will give you coffee and if ya let me know you are coming, I will find Donuts Tee Hee. And if you don’t like Donuts what do you enjoy with your coffee? I’m not huge on donuts myself. I prefer a bear claw or a muffin or a cinnamon roll. HI. YA know as I was reading my usual poorly written comment the song Mockingbird came into my head ya know like If the donut doesn’t sing blah blah blah I’ll buy you a diamond ring.