Carefree council approves mutual-aid agreement with Rural Metro; agreement sets $595 hourly reimbursement and service protections

The Carefree Town Council on Feb. 12 unanimously approved Resolution 2025-02 authorizing Mayor to sign a mutual-aid agreement with Rural Metro Fire Department that formalizes use of town fire apparatus outside town limits and sets reimbursement and indemnity terms.

The agreement requires Rural Metro to reimburse the town $595 per hour, rounded up to the next full hour, when Carefree apparatus is used to respond in Rural Metro subscription areas outside Carefree. The contract language mirrors the town’s master contract insurance and indemnification requirements and ties future changes in the hourly rate to percentage adjustments in the master service contract with Rural Metro.

The measure was brought to the council after town staff raised concerns that, during the current five-year contract (the town is about three years into that renewal period), Carefree-purchased equipment has been used to support responses in county islands outside the town. Mr. Neese, representing town staff, told the council the intent of the resolution…