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AZ Faces Fire District Crisis, Statewide Tax May Be Implemented

AZ Faces Fire District Crisis, Statewide Tax May Be Implemented

Arizona is facing a "fire district crisis" that is making it challenging for first responders to reach those outside of metro areas like Phoenix and Tucson.

To combat the public safety problem, a statewide tax will be proposed on the November 8 ballot. Proposition 310 was crafted by a bipartisan coalition of state legislators, who are seeking to speed up 911 response times by creating a temporary 20-year, one-tenth-of-a-penny sales tax mandated to go to the 144 fire districts throughout the state. 

It is estimated that this tax, while small for individuals, would generate about $150 million a year in revenue. 

Proponents say this money would greatly assist fire districts that have long been hindered by The Grand Canyon State's cap on property taxes. 

AZ Central specifically noted that the funds would benefit small districts like Tusayan, where emergency responders oversee 6 million Grand Canyon tourists annually, and the Hellsgate Fire District near Payson, which has been forced to layoff staff members over the past few years. 

Although the proposal does have bipartisan support, there are those who oppose the measure.

Some local officials released a document asking residents to vote "NO" on Prop 310. Cindy Biggs, Chair of the Gilbert County Island Fire District, wrote:

"Our board has worked hard to collect no more of our residents hard earned money than is necessary to finance the public service we provide. We do not need a second funding stream up and above the property taxes we levy to finance fire and EMT services, and we certainly do not want all the residents in Arizona to subsidize our operations. That would be unfair and excessive.

A tax increase that everyone in the state must pay that indiscriminately benefits all, regardless of need, is bad public policy."

Biggs was joined by Dwight Kadar of Sedona; Aimee Yentes, Vice President Government Affairs, Arizona Free Enterprise Club of Gilbert; Warde Nichols of  Nutrioso; and Dr. Kelli Ward, Chairwoman, Republican Party of Arizona, LLC., Lake Havasu City and Yvonne Cahill, Secretary, Republican Party of Arizona, LLC., Scottsdale.

What do you think about Arizona's Prop 310? For assistance with your Arizona taxes, match with a local tax expert now.

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Rebekah Barton

Rebekah Barton

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