North Highline Fire Chief Russ Pritchard announced last week that he will retire as of Dec. 31.

The North Highline Fire District Commissioners (Fire District 11) have decided to "go in another direction," Pritchard told the Times/News.

His salary was raised by a unanimous vote of the commission to $16,500 a month, including longevity compensation, at their Sept. 7 meeting.

"We do these things as a board," said Commissioner Barbara Peters. "It's all part of a package deal.

"Nobody forced Russ out. I want that to be made clear."

The salary increase is part of a "severance package," said Pritchard.

Commission Chairman Ron Malaspino was unavailable for comment.