Property Owners Association 

12110 N. Antelope Run

Prescott, AZ 86305 

July 2005                                                                    

To:  Long Meadow Ranch Property Owners

Re:  Williamson Valley Fire Department

I am writing to let you know that the Williamson Valley Fire Department (WVFD) is growing rapidly, and your taxes are increasing to pay for it.  The WVFD was created in 2002, replacing the volunteer fire department in our area.  The district includes the Crossroads Ranch development, Long Meadow Ranch Phases 1 through 4, and the residences in Hootenanny.  In its three years of existence the WFVD budget has increased dramatically.  Next year’s budget, approved by the District Board on July 11, 2005, brings another 250% increase.  The Department has plans for further budget increases in coming years. The County Board of Supervisors votes on approval of the 2005 budget in August.

The WVFD currently has one full time employee supplemented with volunteer fire fighters.    A year and a half ago the department purchased a $350,000 engine to be paid for over several years.  In the coming year, three additional full time positions will be added, one additional fire fighter, an assistant fire chief and a full time fire chief.  Even with these increases, the lack of available water at our residences makes it unlikely that the department could control structural fires on our property.

What does this mean for the residents of the WVFD?  To put it in perspective, I paid $100 in dues to the volunteer department.  In 2003, my property taxes for the fire district were $392.  My WVFD tax increased to $665 in 2004, and the 2005 budget will put my taxes for the WVFD alone well over $1000.  This is comparable to the allocations to Yavapai County, the school district and the community college. 

My tax for the fire district provided almost 1% of the tax revenue in 2004, or put differently about 100 property owners assessed at my rate paid the entire District assessment.  There are many more than 100 properties in the district.  This apparent inequitable assessment of the WVFD expense is likely due to inaccurate assessments or exemptions that some property owners have obtained to reduce their taxes. 

We all want good fire protection, but we must ask how much protection are we getting and at what cost.  Have the expansion plans for WVFD gotten ahead of growth in the area?  Are the costs of the district fairly distributed? Are LMRPOA owners paying more than their fair share? 

If you want to express your opinion about the budget increases contact the WVFD Board at,

            Board of Directors

            Williamson Valley Fire District

            15450 Williamson Valley Road

            Prescott, AZ  86305

If you want to comment on the budget and/or the inequitable tax burden, contact the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors at

            Board of Supervisors              Carol Springer

            Yavapai County                      District 1 Supervisor

            1015 Fair St.                          e-mail:  web.box.district1@yavapai.az.us

            Prescott, AZ  86305                                        

            (928) 771-3200 phone

            (928) 771-3257 fax

Sincerely,

Neil Cooperrider

President, LMRPOA