Williamson Valley Fire District Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q - Who controls the District? A -
The District is governed by a five-member board elected at large by the voters.
Board members are elected to alternating four-year terms so at least two are elected
every two years. The Board establishes policy, recommends a tax rate, approves the
budget, and hires the Fire Chief.
Q - What services are provided? A - The Fire District provides fire and emergency medical services by career and reserve
firefighters and state certified EMT’s and paramedics.
Q - Who pays for the District? A - The District is organized under the laws of Arizona as a special district. It
generates a majority of its revenue from a secondary property tax assessed on all
real property. Based on a tax rate of $2.16 per $100 secondary assessed value, the
annual tax on a $100,000 home would be $216.00.
Q - Who sets the tax rate? A – The tax rate is set each August by the County Board of Supervisors based on the
direction of the Fire Districts Board of Directors. The maximum tax rate allowed
is $3.25 per $100 secondary assessed value.
Q - When does the Fire Board meet? A - The Fire Board holds regular meetings on the third Monday of every month at 6.30
P.M., at the Williamson Valley Fire Station, 14450 N Williamson Valley Rd, Prescott.
Q - How do I pay for the District? A - As a special district, the fire district’s taxes are assessed with other property
taxes, such as school taxes. They can either be incorporated into a mortgage payment
or paid when billed, with your other taxes.
Q- Does being in a Fire District affect my property insurance rate? A –While insurance rates vary, you may realize a decrease in your property insurance
premiums when you annex into the District, especially if you currently do not have
fire protection.
Q. Are District taxes deductible? A - Yes, if you itemize your tax deductions.
Q - How do I annex into the District? A - For an area to annex into the District, a simple majority of the voters, the property
owners, and those representing a majority of the property value, must support the
annexation. To begin the process, a property owner should contact the Fire Chief
who will assist you with the process. You will begin by submitting a letter of intent
to the Fire Board. The Fire Board will ask for an impact statement which will be
reviewed at a public hearing. If the Board approves the impact statement, it will
authorize the circulation of petitions in the annexation area. After the required
signatures are gathered and verified by Yavapai County officials, the Fire Board
will approve the annexation at a public board meeting. The annexation will occur
within thirty days.
Q - Why do I see fire engines driving up and down the road? A - There are several reasons that fire engines may be driving without lights and
sirens and appear to be “just driving around”. The engine may be returning to quarters after responding to an emergency call or
responding to a “non-emergency” call. The engine may be responding to a call where they were requested to respond with
no lights and sirens. The firefighters may be responding to a “move-up”. A move-up is a situation where
a fire engine relocates to provide coverage for another station or unit that is responding
to an emergency. Firefighters may be conducting driver training or area orientation. Firefighters may also be servicing/testing fire hydrants.Firefighters
may have conducted a training exercise at the training center or at
a location away from the fire station. Example: Mock disaster drill held at the local
high school. Firefighters also conduct business/ Home inspections while on duty. Business/Homes
inspections help (reduce the potential for fires) protect businesses/ Homes in our
community as well as enable firefighters to become familiar with the entrances and
exits of public buildings and make sure commercial properties are adhering to safety
practices that reduce the potential for fires.
Q – I want to burn some ' Slash ‘, how do I get a burn permit? A – Come down to the Fire Station.
