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Hurricane Valley Fire district reports near-600 calls in July; officials outline tax change and RFP for new station
Summary
Hurricane Valley Fire Special Service District reported nearly 600 calls district‑wide in July, reviewed a recent property‑tax rate increase and said a sales‑tax proposal is stalled in the legislature. The district has issued an RFP for a new protection-services station and administrative offices, with the board set to review bids in October.
Chief Tyler of the Hurricane Valley Fire Special Service District reported on recent incident volume and district planning at a Rockville council meeting.
"Incidents, last month for July, we had 23 in Springdale, 3 in Rockville, and then there was 9 in the park. Last, last month was our second busiest month, with just under 600 calls total throughout the district," Chief Tyler said.
The briefing covered both operational activity and recent budget work. Tyler said the district had few large structural fires this summer and attributed improved response to greater public awareness: "I will say, luckily, we haven't had any too big of fires, breakout. We've been able to kinda get to them quick. I feel like people are being very a little bit more aware."
On finance, district staff summarized last year's truth‑in‑taxation process and the property‑tax rate change the board adopted. According to the presentation, the 2024 tax rate was 0.000699; the board approved an increase Chief Decker later reduced to a 38% rise. Using the district's stated baseline, a 38% increase would raise the rate to roughly 0.0009964, the staff estimate said. The presentation noted homeowners can see larger percentage increases on bills when a home's assessed value rises faster than the levy rate.
Tyler and other speakers discussed a separate, longer‑term plan to shift some revenue from property tax to a local sales tax. That proposal "stalled in the legislature," according to the fire district presentation; speakers said it was expected to be considered in a special legislative session in September but that the district had already passed the statutory deadline for switching revenue sources for this tax year. District leaders said the board intends to reduce the property‑tax rate if a sales‑tax solution is later enacted.
The district also reported ongoing wildland activity and mutual‑aid deployments. Tyler listed recent assignments including the Monroe Fire, Dragon Bravo fire and White Sage Fire, and said the district currently has a crew assigned in Colorado.
Finally, the district has issued a request for proposals for protection services and a new station and administrative offices in the San Paulo area. Tyler said the board is set to review returned RFPs in October.
Council members asked a few clarifying questions about specific incidents and the legislative outlook; the council did not take a formal vote on district budget policy during the meeting.
Ending: The fire district asked the town to stay in contact about the sales‑tax effort and said it will present final RFP responses to its board in October.
