A 5-percent cap on property taxes approved by Arizona voters three years ago is starting to affect rural fire districts. That’s the message fire officials took to the state Capitol on Thursday.
Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District Chief Brian Savage said the tax cap is affecting their rising budgets and service availability.
“Response times are increasing in many districts, leaving residents facing longer wait times when seconds count. Our communities and our fire fighters are at risk right now,” he said.
Savage said the rise in personnel, insurance and equipment costs in many districts are already up against previous rate limits.