What is long-term fire district cost?

The understanding about this supposed fire district in the Foothills is that it will cost $1.22 on the hundred of home valuations. That is a big savings compared to Rural/Metro cost and supposed to include the start up cost and for initial cost of equipment. But what will be the real cost to maintain such a fire district on a yearly basis?
 
With big growth in population in different counties of Arizona, did you know that statewide property tax levies for fire districts climbed 26 percent or $45.3 million from 2006 to 2007? Despite skyrocketing property valuations, the majority of fire districts in Arizona failed to reduce their tax rate in 2007.
 
The following are just a few of the fire districts with percentage raises that are established - Fort Valley Fire District in Coconino County had a 140 percent increase and held a 2.5 tax rate from 2006 to 2007; Peeples Valley Fire Department in Yavapai County had an 88 percent even though they decreased their tax rate 0.13 percent; Arizona City in Pinal County, 64 percent; Bullhead City Fire Department in Mohave County 50 percent; Green Valley Fire Department in Pima County, 44 percent. Without commensurate drop in the tax rate, these increases were driven by the growth in property values.
 
Unlike counties, cities and community colleges, the operational levies for fire districts are not limited. The only limitation on operational levies of a fire district is a maximum tax rate cap of $3.25. Primary levy limitation that applies to the operational levies for the above mentioned taxing jurisdictions require those entities to offset the increase in property values by adjusting the tax rates downward.
 
In the long run, are we going to save on a new fire district? What worries me is the "operational levies for fire district are not limited." And the "majority of fire districts failed to reduce their tax rate in 2007."
 
Makes you think twice if this new fire district is worth it and how long will that $1.22 on the hundred is going to last. What high percentage raise rate would we be looking at with no "limitations" or does Rural/Metro sound better to your pocketbook? It does me.


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MIKE CURRAN
Foothills