I have extensively researched fire and emergency medical services in Carefree.
I served on the Public Safety Advisory Committee that the Town organized in January of 2021.
That Committee of eight citizens held approximately 17 public meetings and heard presentations from Town staff, the Chiefs of the Scottsdale, Daisy Mountain and Carefree Rural Metro fire departments. The Committee examined the history of fire and emergency medical services in Carefree, the number and types of services currently being delivered, the differences between automatic aid and mutual aid, the rough costs associated with the delivery of services from each of those fire departments, and closely monitored developments in Cave Creek as that town migrated to a master contract with Daisy Mountain. We also examined the Carefree budget, the financing of the Town’s fire and emergency medical services, and explored funding sources for enhanced levels of services.
This work culminated in a 40 plus page report.
Additionally, I offered input and reviewed in detail the work of the public finance and fire and emergency medical services consultants retained by the Town during 2022. I served on the panel of experts that were resources for the five citizen workshops conducted in the fall of 2022.
My professional background includes serving as the Budget Director for three Arizona Governors and a consultant for a fourth, the Lead Research Economist for the Arizona House of Representatives during a Special Session on Tax Reform and School Finance, and the owner of a consulting firm that assisted twenty plus states in health care financing and operations.
It is my conclusion and recommendation that Carefree would be well served with a more robust and timely emergency fire and medical service by approving the funding question on the May 16 special election ballot and move to automatic aid. Vote YES!
Peter Burns
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