By Rusty Bradshaw
Independent Newsmedia

For the first time since 2008, the Sun City Fire and Medical District finances are leveling out.

District officials will have enough revenue to meet the projected budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year and cover an anticipated overage, according to Mike Thompson, Sun City fire chief.



“This will be the first time in years that we have not been struggling to meet expenses,” he said.

Like most agencies and businesses following the 2008 housing market crash and economic downturn, Sun City Fire officials faced diminished revenue and had to cut corners. For six straight years district officials reduced the fire department budget, including four years in which employees did not receive a pay raise.

But as the economy began to recover, so too did the fire district.

“Right now we are at a zero balance,” Mr. Thompson explained. “That meams we have as much coming in as we do going out.”

That includes an overage owed to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System due to amitorization of the agency premiums from a 30-year period to a 20-year span. The premiums were recalculated because the program was underfunded.

However, fire district officials anticipated the recalculation and set aside $500,000 to help cover it. The fire district also received a 4.99 percent state-approved increase in tax revenue, which will also help even out the financial numbers, according to Mr. Thompson.

District officials had projected a 7 percent PSPRS premium increase to Sun City Fire but that was prior to the recalculation. The 33 percent premium increase was not anticipated when officials applied for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant to fund 12 additional firefighters. The district is in the second year of the grant.

“That gave us a bit of a shortfall for the grant,” Mr. Thompson said.

A 4.99 percent state-approved tax revenue increase made up the difference, according to the chief.

There are also two uncertainties for future fiscal years, according to Mr. Thompson. One is possible increased costs for Vital Statistics Information System and added Workmen’s Compensation costs for injuries recorded this year.

Current issues

Sun City Fire officials resolved two equipment issues, will dispose of one vehicle and are waiting to take possession of another.

The department’s ladder truck was out of service because during a recent inspection cracks were found on the ladder. However, when the paint was removed it was found the majority of the cracks were only in the epoxy paint, not the metal. There were about four actual hairline cracks in the metal that were repaired.

“What we thought might cost us thousands will only cost about $1,000,” Mr. Thompson said.

While the truck was in the shop it was decided to repair the hydraulic system as well, he added.

The department’s Engine 133 also had a leaky bottom tank on its radiator repaired. Much of the work done was covered under warranty and the cost to the district was just $342, Mr. Thompson explained.

Fire officials are scheduled to take possession of their third ambulance March 23. However, it may not be put into service until May, according to Ron Deadman, Sun City assistant chief.

“We are taking applications for paramedics, EMTs and ambulance drivers so there won’t be a delay when we go with the new ambulance,” he explained.

Mr. Thompson said with Peoria and Surprise getting their ambulance services staffed and Tempe about to start that process, the talent pool is stretched.

“There is a lot of hiring going on right now,” he said. “Doing this is sometimes beneficial because it allows us to build up a pool of applicants.”

The district board approved selling a 1999 Ford passenger van. The cost of repair in the long run would be more than it would be for the district to purchase a new one, according to Mr. Thompson.

“We just decided to get out from under it,” he said.