This week The Times has asked the Town Council candidates to address public safety funding.

The question is as follows: Currently public safety contracts (Rural/Metro and MCSO) account for nearly half of the town’s annual operating budget. Do you feel this is a proper balance? Do you believe there is there a more efficient way to fund these services?

Dennis Contino: “The current system for funding police and fire services is unfair to town residents because it makes some pay more and others pay little or nothing. It is also unstable due to the volatility of the sales tax.

“Currently, we have over 12,000 homes and hundreds of businesses in Fountain Hills. Because we fund fire and police services with a sales tax instead of a property tax, many homes and almost all businesses pay little or nothing for police and fire service. Those homeowners that do pay, pay a lot more.

“A more balanced solution would be to have all of the homes and businesses participate in the funding. We could reduce the sales tax and levy a flat, specific amount to each home and business for fire and police service. This is a fairer and more stable way to fund fire and police services.

“The current budget for these contract services is $6.5 million.  If we formed a fire district, we could also get federal funds.”

Nick DePorter: “First, public safety is the most critical service for our community and Rural/Metro and MCSO have done a great job in keeping our residents safe and being there when we need them most.

“We are facing both declining revenues and population. It is time for us to reassess the budget from top to bottom and have a comprehensive discussion about all the services the town provides and what service levels are appropriate.

“It is not uncommon for public safety to represent a large percentage of a community’s operating budget, but there are many ways to help subsidize that expense through federal grants, community partnerships, and other opportunities.

“For example, the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Program provides funding to fire departments across the nation. The Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant provides funding assistance to local law enforcement. These grants pay out millions of dollars each year to local communities like ours and should be aggressively pursued.

“Funding public safety is part of a larger conversation about what is important to our town and how can we structure a sustainable budget to meet these needs. Just like other departments, these vendors should share our vision to increase efficiency and try to do more with less.

“There are many ways that we can tackle funding public safety and I believe we should consider every available funding option. Although we face budgetary issues, our number one priority should always be public safety.”

Cassie Hansen: “Our current general fund operating budget is $12.6 million.  $6.1 million pays for public safety leaving $6.5 million to fund our remaining operating expenses. Is this a proper balance?

“Providing for public safety is one of the primary responsibilities of local government. Our community has gone through numerous scenarios to do so including the former Fire District and Marshal’s Department as well as the current contracts with Rural Metro and MCSO.

“When the town assumed the responsibilities of the former Fire District, it assumed a substantial operating liability that had previously been paid for by residents through a secondary property tax. The rationale was that voters would approve transferring the fire district tax to a new town tax. Voters did not approve that measure nor did they approve the bond for fire safety in 2006. As a result, the town has had to pay the bill since 2001.

“Efficient ways to fund? The question is what our residents will support to fund this fundamental service. Do we float another secondary bond specifically for fire/EMT protection? Do we go to subscription service where property owners subscribe individually with Rural Metro? Paradise Valley is looking at reinstating their fire service fee where every homeowner and business owner gets a bill for fire protection services without a property tax.

“In Fountain Hills, this would free up $3.16 million in the budget to annually address our street issue. To be successful, all options would need to be openly discussed, explained and vetted in a council/community venue.”

Mary Nickum: “Public safety is a primary concern of Fountain Hills’ residents; and, is a primary function of town government.  The town can either establish its own public safety operations or it can contract with other entities, public or private, to provide public safety services. At present, these services are provided on a contract basis.

“Contracting for public services enables the town to avoid the costs of administering these services internally; however, contracting requires the town to have expertise in writing contracts and providing oversight on these contracts. Contracts must include provisions for monitoring and evaluating performance; including the costs of the services provided. Contractors should have cordial, business relationships with town administrators; however, these relationships must never become ‘cozy’ and automatic renewal of contracts ‘pro forma.’

“The town should always be looking for ways to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of services for which it is paying. Competition from alternative sources for the services, combined with effective oversight, serves to keep the contracting relationship a strictly business relationship. The town should also have an ombudsman office where residents can alert the Town Council and administrators of any problems with public safety services.

“I have many years experience with government contracts and can provide the expertise and insights needed to write and administer contracts. Constant oversight is needed to ensure the residents of Fountain Hills with effective and efficient public safety services and to keep the cost of these services in balance with other needs of the town.”

Nancy Ordowski: “According to the AZ State Statutes, Article 3, 9-240 the main responsibilities of a town are to provide fire and police protection, road maintenance and water to the town.

“Approximately 10 years ago we had the opportunity to maintain the fire district that was paid by residents as a separate tax. The Town Council chose to move the fire district to the Rural/Metro town-funded program. Therefore, the Rural/Metro and MCSO contracts must be honored and paid for with our town budget.

“Fountain Hills is a town and cannot issue a primary tax and any secondary tax must be voted on by registered voters. If any increase is proposed, it must be very transparent and specific in its use and need.

“Two members of the current council, Leger and Brown, said at a recent budget retreat they would consider a subscription fee for fire service, which means each home and business would have to pay a fee to have fire protection for their property. If they choose not to pay the fee, the fire department would have two choices:

1.  They could watch the property burn and try to protect the neighbors that had paid for fire protection; or 2.  They could fight the fire and charge the owner the hourly wage of each fireman plus cost of trucks and equipment used to put out the fire.

“The fire subscription fee plan is not a plan I can support. Remember, according to state statutes these contracts are the town’s responsibility.”

Cecil Yates: “Nothing is more important for all of us than our health and safety. This is a top priority. Cutting service is not an option.

“Funding these vital services, therefore, is also a top priority. Having said that, I look forward to working with the mayor and fellow Town Council members in researching every option available to us.

“We should look at all revenue sources, from a safety district to a number of government grants to help fund community protection initiatives. As a grant writer, I look forward to seeking out these sources and helping secure any grants that would help.

“Because our sales tax revenue funds public safety, smart economic growth remains front and center. I hope to help Fountain Hills reach our economic potential by strengthening the current business community and by attracting the right retailers and services to ensure our money is spent in our town.”

Dennis Brown: “No, it is not a proper balance, but due to the Great Recession we have no choice.

“Outsourcing government functions keep quality up and costs down.

“The Great Recession does not reduce the need to protect peoples’ lives and homes, so the Town Council, with my support, preserved public safety funding the last three years. Meanwhile, we cut other services significantly to right size town government without raising taxes on Fountain Hills residents.

“Previously, public safety was less than one-third of a much larger town budget.

“Converting to a local police department, fire and emergency medical services would require millions in one-time expenses to replace the radio dispatch system and patrol vehicles and to gain certification. Moreover, town-provided services would be less flexible.

“The town’s long-term interest is to continue contracting for public safety.”

Linda Kavanagh: “Town government’s most important obligation is the safety of its residents. In Fountain Hills, we are fortunate to be protected by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Rural Metro Fire Department.

“Rural Metro has always provided great service to our town. The dedication of our firefighters extends beyond their core firefighting function to also include fire prevention instruction, inspections, hydrant maintenance, emergency medical training (CPR), paramedic services and youth safety programs.

“The Sheriff’s Office has patrolled our streets and safeguarded us from crime for decades. Beyond routine police service, they bring to us investigatory services, SWAT team response, search and rescue teams, community services, crime prevention programs and the volunteer Fountain Hills Sheriff’s Posse.

“Changing to subscription service for police is absurd because everyone needs police protection all the time and everyone must pay their fair share. Subscription fire service is dangerous because when a non-subscriber’s house catches fire, it risks spreading to a nearby subscriber’s home.

“I oppose creating a new taxing district for police and fire because it is a tax increase in disguise. Once the new district is created and levies new taxes, the town is not required to lower its taxes. In addition, because few people vote in special district elections or follow the activities of such governing bodies, they are less representative of the will of the people and less transparent.

“The Sheriff’s Office and Rural Metro provide Fountain Hills with very excellent services at a very affordable price.  And I say, don’t fix what isn’t broken.”