Renton City Councilmember and Council President-elect Ruth Pérez will serve on the Renton Regional Fire Authority Governance Board for the next three years.

The seven-person governance board, responsible for approving the fire authority’s annual budget, includes three council members, two Fire District 25 Commissioners, and two King County Fire District 40 Commissioners. Council members Ed Prince and Ryan McIrvin also currently serve on the board.

While serving on the board from 2020 to 2024, Pérez played a significant role in the formation of the Renton Regional Fire Authority and was responsible for the recruitment and selection of current Fire Chief Steve Heitman, according to a press release. She was also elected as the first woman to chair the fire authority’s Governance Board.

Three members of the city council serve as Renton’s representatives and are elected by their fellow council members to fill these seats. Board seats are staggered and council members serve 3-year terms.

“The process of electing members to serve on the Governance Board is grounded in the values of experience, trust, and responsibility,” the city said. “Electing a representative means choosing someone who has earned the trust of their colleagues. This selection is not just about filling a position, but about ensuring that the individuals chosen can truly represent the collective interests of the community they serve.”

The Renton City Council elected Pérez at the Dec. 8 council meeting and she will begin serving in January 2026. The Renton Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Governance Board holds regular meetings each month. Find upcoming meeting information on the RFA’s website.