Mountain Vista Fire District:
Freqently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered below, please call us at 520-575-4087 or use the contact form.

What is the new tax rate for the district?

The 2011-2012 tax rate for MVFD is $1.299.

What is a fire district?

A fire district is a political subdivision of the state, formed for the protection of persons and property within the district. The formation of the district is approved by the property owners and the county where the district is located.

Who is responsible for the operations of the fire district?

The fire district is governed by a five member board of directors elected at large by the voters of the district. Board members are elected in alternating two year cycles each serving four year terms so that no more than three directors are elected every two years. The fire district board members are governed by Arizona State statutes, they establish the policies of the district, and they approve the district’s annual budget.

The district board holds monthly public meetings and administers the affairs of the fire department on behalf of the residents and property owners of the district.

What services are provided by the district?

The fire district provides fire and emergency medical services to our community through an emergency services contract with Rural/Metro Fire Department. Services include fire suppression, emergency medical response, rescue, fire prevention, and a variety of non emergency services including snake removal.

Who pays for the fire district services?

The fire district, a special taxing district, is organized under the statutory laws of the State of Arizona. As a special taxing district the majority of its revenue is collected from the property owners by setting a uniform tax rate applied to each property’s assessed value. Your annual cost may be estimated by identifying your property’s secondary net assessed value—divide that value by 100—and then multiply the resulting value by the district tax rate.

Fire district fees are then included and identified by the name of the organization on your annual property tax statement. The payment of fire district fees is ultimately included in your total property tax payment.

The district may also receive additional funding from a county fund identified as the fire district assistance tax. Special service fees and grants may also be sources of funds for fire districts.

How is the tax rate set?

The tax rates for each district are set each June after the district advertises, posts, and holds a public hearing on their proposed budget. The approved budgets are normally ratified in August by the board of supervisors of the county in which the district is located.

Is district fees tax deductible?

We understand there is the opportunity to claim a deduction for fire district fees, as a part of your property taxes, if you itemize on your tax returns.

Does being in the district affect my property insurance rate?

While many property owners do benefit from a reduction in their property insurance premiums there are others who do not. If you are a property owner recently included in the district we recommend you check with your insurance company about a potential premium reduction.

How can my property become part of the fire district?

Single property owners, neighborhoods, and communities may be included in the district by participation in an annexation process. A majority of the property owners with at least 51% of the property value of the area must sign a petition authorizing the properties identified in the annexation area to become part of the fire district.

We recommend you contact the fire district for assistance with this process.