Action 18.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Elections
- Meeting Date:
- 01/27/2015
- Title:
- Review and comment on the proposed consolidation of Whetstone and PBW Fire Districts pursuant to A.R.S. ยง 48-822.
- Submitted By:
- Lauri Owen, County Attorney
- Department:
- County Attorney
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Lauri J Owen and Tom Schelling
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
CAO and PBW FD Administrator
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Review resolution of proposed consolidation of Whetstone and PBW, two fire districts in Cochise County, into one, joint fire district that encompasses the physical territories of both after fulfillment of the statutory requirements to consolidate.
Background:
Whetstone and PBW, two fire districts in Cochise County, have resolved to consolidate into one, joint fire district that encompasses the physical territories of both. At the moment, they are both in the midst of fulfilling the statutory requirements to consolidate, including one that involves the Board of Supervisors, and which is the subject of this agenda item.
After passing a resolution to consolidate, notifying the district taxpayers, and scheduling a public hearing, the fire districts must notify the Board of Supervisors of their intent to consolidate, which they have now done. The purpose of this agenda item is to allow the Board to review the resolutions to consolidate and question the fire districts about the proposed consolidation. The reasons for the consolidation are set forth in the resolutions and letter to property owners in the district that are attached to this agenda item. We anticipate that Pete Bidon, the Whetstone Fire Chief, and Tom Schelling, Administrator for PBW Fire District, will be present at the Board meeting to answer any questions that the Supervisors might have.
After passing a resolution to consolidate, notifying the district taxpayers, and scheduling a public hearing, the fire districts must notify the Board of Supervisors of their intent to consolidate, which they have now done. The purpose of this agenda item is to allow the Board to review the resolutions to consolidate and question the fire districts about the proposed consolidation. The reasons for the consolidation are set forth in the resolutions and letter to property owners in the district that are attached to this agenda item. We anticipate that Pete Bidon, the Whetstone Fire Chief, and Tom Schelling, Administrator for PBW Fire District, will be present at the Board meeting to answer any questions that the Supervisors might have.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
After the Board meeting concludes, “[t]he chairman of the board of supervisors shall order a review of the proposed consolidation and shall submit written comments to the governing body of each fire district located in the county within ten days after receipt of the notice.” A.R.S. § 48-822. The statute doesn’t specify whether these comments must come from the Board as a whole or from individual Supervisors. The “written comments” can be a formal letter to Chief Bidon and to Mr. Schelling or by email to them. Their email addresses are pbidon@whetstonefire.org and tschelling@cochise.az.gov.
After receiving comments from the Board, the two fire districts will host a joint public hearing on mid February, 2015, and, after considering the public’s and the Board’s comments, will vote on the proposed consolidation.
Providing that both fire districts’ boards unanimously approve the consolidation, which is anticipated, the districts will be consolidated.
After receiving comments from the Board, the two fire districts will host a joint public hearing on mid February, 2015, and, after considering the public’s and the Board’s comments, will vote on the proposed consolidation.
Providing that both fire districts’ boards unanimously approve the consolidation, which is anticipated, the districts will be consolidated.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The two fire districts will not be consolidated.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Submit any written comments.