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Eisert: Fire district tax is ‘for the people’ in Sun City

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The Legislators elected by the people, for the people, representing the voters of the Sun Cities and Youngtown, are currently Rick Gray, David Livingston, Kevin Payne, Beverly Pingerelli, Ben Toma, and Frank Carroll. 

Proposition 310 was passed by both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives in the latest 2022 session. This proposition is on the November ballot awaiting a most deserved “yes” vote.

Termed the “Arizona Fire District Safety Act.” Proposition 310 greatly benefits our communities by adding one-tenth of a penny to the state sales tax to be distributed to the 144 statewide, mostly rural, fire districts that provide fire, emergency medical and associated emergency services to more than 1.5 million residents and tens of millions of travelers on Arizona roadways. 

This proposition refers to “fire districts.” A fire department is typically tied to a city and the boundaries of that city. The city fire department is funded by the taxes collected by that city. A fire district is typically tied to several communities and unincorporated areas outside of these communities, and is funded by property taxes from the area they serve.

Fire districts in this state are generally critically underfunded, leading to personnel and equipment shortages, and extremely long response times in many areas of this state. By adding the one-tenth of a cent to the state sales tax, these first responders will be properly funded.  

If Proposition 310 passes, needed funds become available, holding, or possibly reducing, our annual property tax rate. This proposition deserves a “yes” vote.

It is interesting that the new local Republican Legislative District 28 posted a voter guide to virtually thousands of Sun Cities residences recommending a “no” vote on Proposition 310. A bit crazy, at least for the taxpayers of the West Valley communities of Sun City and Sun City West. 

How did the votes go at the Legislature? House and Senate committees voted 16-1 in favor. On the House and Senate floor the vote was 55-33 in favor.

Hopefully, our elected representatives were with the “in favor” majority here.

Nevertheless, vote “yes” for Proposition 310. For the people and our first responders!