South County Fire & Medical District Bond Information (Prop 408)

South County Fire & Medical District Bond Information - Proposition 408

On April 22, 2025, the Board of Directors for the South County Fire & Medical District voted unanimously to call for a special election to seek voter approval to issue bonds for the purposes of investing in emergency response vehicles, purchasing emergency equipment, and making other capital expenditures to improve fire and emergency coverage.

The $22.9 million proposal will be considered by the voters in a Special Election set for November 4, 2025 for the voters of the South County Fire & Medical District. The estimated average tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is $0.27 per $100 of net assessed limited property value (annual average per homeowner is approximately $70 per year for 20 years).

This bond proposal is designed to make strategic, long-term investments in the safety and efficiency of emergency response. The bond would fund:

Emergency response vehicles
Modern firefighting and medical equipment
Future fire stations
Facility renovations and upgrades
Cancer prevention improvements
Joint-use facilities for improved efficiency

About the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

The Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (AFMA) is a full service, all hazard fire and rescue agency providing services from twelve strategically located fire stations. The authority covers approximately 400 square miles and proudly serves almost 90,000 residents within its three member districts – North County Fire & Medical District, South County Fire & Medical District, and Buckeye Valley Fire District.

South County Fire & Medical District serves over 20,000 residents in Sun Lakes and Tonopah Valley. Over the last twelve months, AFMA responded to nearly 5,000 calls in this area – 89% of which were emergency medical or rescue.

While each member district maintains local control over its tax rates and services, daily operations, staffing, equipment, and facilities are managed collectively to reduce overhead and streamline operations.

Fiscal Responsibility in Action:

Lean leadership: AFMA’s management structure is more efficient than many comparable agencies.
Smarter staffing: Fewer administrative positions per capita.
Cost-saving partnerships: Outsourcing services like finance allows AFMA to focus funds where they matter most — emergency services.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is on the ballot?

As a member of the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, the South County Fire & Medical District serves over 20,000 residents in Sun Lakes and Tonopah Valley. The District is seeking approval from voters for a $22.9 million bond proposal at a Special Election on November 4, 2025, to fund emergency response vehicles, equipment, and facility improvements.

What would the bond pay for?

The bond program would fund emergency response vehicles including fire trucks and ambulances. It would also fund equipment for firefighting, EMS, and operations – including cardiac monitors, automated CPR devices, and firefighter/EMS providers safety equipment. In addition, the bond would provide funding for infrastructure improvements such as future fire stations, cancer prevention upgrades, facility renovations, and joint use facilities to increase efficiency.

Why is the bond needed?

This bond is needed to address rising costs of emergency equipment and emergency response vehicles. The cost of vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances have risen significantly over the past few years. For every year that a vehicle is utilized beyond its optimal replacement cycle, the annual maintenance costs can increase as much as 15 to 20%. As a secure funding source, bonds provide a long-term cost savings of 12–18% through bond financing compared to lease-purchase alternatives

How much would the bond cost the average taxpayer?

The proposed bond would have an estimated tax rate of $0.27 per $100 of net assessed limited property value. Please note: The value used for tax purposes is the Limited Property Value (LPV) listed on your tax bill – not the “Full Cash Value,” Zillow market value estimate, or what your home might sell for. Voters can look up their home value on the Maricopa County Assessor website and apply the estimated tax rate to their limited property value.

How could the bond impact response times?

Additional public safety facilities and equipment could help reduce response times throughout our community. Newer fire engines and ambulances and improved repair facilities can result in significantly less downtime for repairs, ensuring constant emergency coverage. Modern communication equipment can reduce dispatch-to-arrival times and improved station layouts can further reduce response times.

How could the bond impact patient outcomes?

New ambulances equipped with the latest paramedic cardiac care technology can benefit our aging population reducing door-to-intervention times for cardiac patients. Updated extrication tools can cut through modern vehicle materials saving several minutes and improving trauma outcomes.

How could the bond impact firefighter safety?

Modern station designs include dedicated decontamination areas that reduce firefighter cancer risk by preventing cross-contamination of carcinogens. Improved air filtration can reduce respiratory exposure and modern apparatus improve fire fighter safety and reduce work related injuries.

How could the bond increase efficiency?

A joint fleet facility centralizing maintenance and repairs could save taxpayer money compared to outsourced repairs. Consolidated administration could improve coordination, reduce duplicated services, and save taxpayers through fewer leased buildings.

What is AFMA?

How has AFMA been fiscally responsible?

As a partnership of the three member districts, AFMA is organized as a Joint Powers Authority – an innovative “shared services” model that helps reduce costs and protect the taxpayer. The districts retain local control over their budgets and services provided while maintaining separate tax rates. However, the personnel, equipment, facilities and daily operations are managed together to reduce administrative overhead costs. A comparative analysis of the authority demonstrates that AFMA operates with significant efficiency including a leadership structure with consolidated functions that is notably leaner than similar organizations. AFMA operates with fewer administrative positions per capita and finds other efficiencies such as outsourcing financial services rather than maintaining an entire finance department.

What is a bond?

Bonds are used to finance large capital items like facility improvements and new equipment that are not typically covered by the regular maintenance and operations budget. The bond is designed to provide maximum taxpayer value through strategic investment rather than deferred maintenance or emergency replacements. Bonds are a secure and fiscally responsible way for AFMA to finance large capital projects. Similar to a home mortgage, the bonds are considered debt and AFMA sells bonds to investors to generate funding for the projects and then pays the investors back with interest over time.