The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors has placed its stamp of approval on the consolidation of the Verde Valley Fire District and the Clarkdale Fire District, voting unanimously on Wednesday, March 16, to approve the planned action.
This follows recent resolutions by the governing boards of CFD and VVFD asking that a consolidation of CFD into VVFD be considered by voters. If approved, the consolidation would effectively mark the end of CFD as an entity: On July 1, it would become a part of VVFD — though VVFD Fire Chief Nazih Hazime said that he will not move quickly to change the identity of CFD, focusing instead on resource management.
District 3 Supervisor Chip Davis praised the proposal, stating March 17, “We believe the information as presented will result in efficiencies in service and positively impact the two districts’ constituents and employees. The two fire districts have the exact tax rate, so neither district property owners will see an increase in taxes and quite possibly a decrease in the future due to efficiency, not duplicating equipment and staff.”
Davis added that he considered the decision to move forward with a consolidation “very bold.”
District 2 Supervisor Thomas Thurman compared the proposal to the Joint Powers Authority merging of Chino Valley Fire District and Central Yavapai Fire District in 2015. “Increasing resources without impacting the taxpayer is why CVFD and CYFD did it …. We believe the CFD and VVFD merger will do the same.”
CFD Fire Chief Joe Moore said he was pleased with the county’s approval of the consolidation proposal, and that he viewed it as an opportunity to “more efficiently use taxpayer dollars.” He encouraged locals to attend public hearings in Clarkdale and Cottonwood, followed by the Clarkdale Town Council meeting April 12, where the council will be asked to pass a resolution to support consolidation.
Should both fire districts wish to proceed following these events, CFD will vote during its board meeting April 21 followed by VVFD April 26. The public is invited to all meetings, though public input will only be taken during the public hearings.
The estimated limited assessed value of the proposed consolidated fire district would be $141,500,667 for fiscal year 2017. The estimated levy of the proposed consolidated fire district is $4,570,472 for fiscal year 2017.
CFD’s boundaries include all of the incorporated area of the town of Clarkdale [10.2 square miles] and 0.82 square miles of unincorporated area within Yavapai County adjacent to the town of Clarkdale’s west boundary. CFD’s boundaries include federal and state lands.
VVFD serves unincorporated areas within Yavapai County, including federal and state lands. Its boundaries abut the boundaries of the city of Cottonwood, town of Clarkdale, Sedona Fire District, Town of Camp Verde and Montezuma-Rimrock Fire District. Included within Verde Valley Fire District’s boundaries are Verde Village, Cornville, Page Springs, Verde Santa Fe, Bridgeport, Oak Creek Valley, Thousand Trails, Angel Valley Road area, Quail Springs Ranch Road area, Franquero Road area and a portion of the Rocking Chair Ranch Road area.
| District Notice |
| Residents within the boundaries of Verde Valley Fire District and Clarkdale Fire District will soon be receiving a “Taxpayer Notice of Proposed Fire District Consolidation,” which invites residents to attend two public hearings on the consolidation of the fire districts: Clarkdale Fire District Thursday, March 31, at 6 p.m. Clark Memorial Clubhouse, 19 N. Ninth Street, Clarkdale Verde Valley Fire District Tuesday, April 5, at 6 p.m. Verde Valley Manor, Godard Hall, 3400 E. Godard Road, Cottonwood The notice outlines the benefits and injuries resulting from the consolidation. Consolidating the fire districts will: Remove duplicate tasks creating a more efficient use of personnel time. Create greater efficiencies by removing duplicated expenses. Increase the ability to maintain needed staffing levels and emergency medical care to all areas of the consolidated district. Reduce redundancies in apparatus and equipment allowing taxpayer funds to be used more efficiently. Create a more diverse tax base that includes residential, commercial and industrial property with development potential. Strengthen the emergency response to calls requiring specially-trained staff, i.e. rope rescue, wildland fire, hazardous materials, etc. Remove political boundaries between the two districts, ensuring the closest unit responds. Enhance safety for emergency personnel and the communities we serve. Change Clarkdale Fire District’s name to Verde Valley Fire District. Reduce the amount of Fire District Assistance Tax revenue that may be received due to a state-mandated cap [there would not be a change to the amount of FDAT collected from taxpayers]. |
