Kane County officials outline plan to annex outlying areas into Church Wells fire district; residents raise cost and dispatch concerns

Kane County commissioners held a town hall in BigWater on Aug. 19 to explain a proposed annexation that would add nearby unincorporated areas into the Church Wells Special Service District for fire response. County staff said the July 22 public hearing triggered a 60‑day protest period and that residents may file written protests with the county clerk/auditor in Kanab.

County officials and Church Wells board members said the addition is intended to create a formal contract for fire response and to make it easier for insurance underwriters to recognize coverage in the area. The county described a levy used by Church Wells of 0.0015 of taxable assessed value and a 45% deduction for primary residences. Jeanette Nelson, chairman of the Church Wells district, said applying the rate to the newly annexed areas would add roughly $20,000 in revenue for the district (bringing total receipts discussed to about $35,000 for the service area as described).

Why it matters: officials said the levy and a formal contract reduce the chance that insurers will drop properties because there is…