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Camp Verde reviews possible Joint Powers Agreement with Copper Canyon Fire; staff outline RV zoning, impact‑fee and land‑set‑aside options
Summary
Chief Daniel Johnson summarized a potential JPA between Copper Canyon and neighboring districts; Town Manager Miranda Fisher described options the town could pursue to support the district, including a 30‑day RV limit, an RV overlay district, impact fees, Planned Area Development minimum-lot modifications and land set‑asides for fire services.
Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District Chief Daniel Johnson told the Camp Verde council on Nov. 5 that the district is evaluating a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that could combine leadership, emergency response and administrative functions across districts while preserving each district's taxing authority.
Chief Johnson framed the JPA as a way to achieve operational improvements and cost‑sharing while balancing local control. Mayor Marie Moore recalled an earlier request from the district asking whether the town could provide financial help for services to properties with multiple RVs that currently underpay property tax relative to service demand.
Town Manager Miranda Fisher explained several options the town is assessing to assist the fire district. Fisher said limiting RV stays to 30 days or less might lead county assessors to treat some properties as commercial rather than residential, but she emphasized the county makes the final tax‑designation determination and a 30‑day limit would not guarantee a change. Fisher said the town could pursue an RV overlay district to change yard and bulk standards for RV lots, but staff are concerned about broader zoning implications because changes would apply across zones unless narrowly tailored.
Fisher added that minimum lot sizes could be modified through a Planned Area Development, that the town can charge impact fees that would be a pass‑through to the district (to be evaluated in the town's development impact fee study), and that the town can request land be set aside for fire services under PADs or development agreements. Public Works Director Ken Krebbs and Acting Town Marshal Daniel Jacobs were identified as staff working with Fisher on these options.
Council discussion did not produce any formal zoning changes, tax designations or funding commitments; staff were asked to continue assessing options and to report back with details on feasibility, legal implications and potential impacts on other property owners.