Debate continued this week among the Mojave County Board of Supervisors as the county board considered proposals to change how local fire districts pay for county services.
On Monday, the supervisor will ask the Mojave County Assessor and Treasurer to assist with organizing, determining boundary changes, using the Mojave County Attorney’s Office, and other services provided by the Treasurer, except property tax collection. I have instructed the Fire District to issue new fees for services. office.
The decision comes after a month of discussion and research into existing fees, how they apply, and how the proposed new fee schedule will affect the county’s smaller fire districts. It was done.
Historically, the county’s 14 fire districts charged hourly or per occurrence charges for services provided by the county. Last month, the Mojave County Department of Financial Services proposed a new formula for reimbursement to counties by fire district, determined by the number of parcels of land that exist in each district.
“If we can delay it for a year and give the fire department a chance to prepare, I would support this,” supervisor Gene Bishop said at a meeting Monday. “I don’t think some of the smaller departments will be ready with extra time, but that’s something I can support.”
Bishop’s district owns most parcels of county land supervised by the local fire district, so her district will bear the greatest burden under the new official-based fee structure, according to Bishop’s previous statement. The proposed new rate structure would allow the Lake Mojave Ranchos Fire District to pay approximately $28,599 annually and the Golden Valley Fire District to pay $35,267 annually for county services.
That schedule could be more challenging for the district this year, according to Mojave County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter, because the proposed new fee schedule could come suddenly.
“One of the things that struck me when I was reaching out and talking to some of the local fire chiefs was that they got stuck,” Lingenfelter said. If so, I think they will join the takeoff.We want to be a good partner.Don’t surprise anyone with anything.I don’t think it’s a good way to do business. .”
Since 2005, fire districts are required under Arizona law to reimburse the county for services provided by the county. When these services were provided, the fire district paid an hourly or per-occurrence fee to compensate the county. But so far, financial officials say compensation has not been sufficient.
But Bishop says the problem may be bigger than Mojave County.
“Maybe this is a legislative issue that needs to be handled by our representatives, and they could change the wording of this law. I hope HB 2803 comes to pass and provides $150 million to fire districts. It’s not the answer.”
But supervisor Hildy Angius was in favor of waiving the fire district fee entirely.
“Who is the victim?” said Angius. “We are the only parties and we make our own decisions…basically to hurt ourselves. Who is going to do anything about it.” The state law of charging ward fees) makes absolutely no sense.”
According to Angius, Mojave County originally opposed a 2005 legislative decision to charge the county’s fire districts. Also, for the services that these fire districts provide to counties, and the existing fees that those counties pay for fire district elections, the burden of increased fees for fire districts could be an unreasonable burden. .
“There are some things more important than a few bucks,” Angius said. “I think that he is one of the good relations between the fire district and the county.”
The Mojave County Board of Supervisors voted in a split decision against accepting the fire district’s new per-district rate schedule at its Monday meeting. voted YES to direct the Mojave County Treasurer and Assessor to issue new fees to these fire districts. The vote was opposed by Bishop and Mojave County Supervisor Buster Johnson.
