Town residents and others have previously indicated that they have and continue to be satisfied with the current and longtime fire and emergency services as provided and performed locally by Rural Metro.

Why, rather than directing/using $500,000 more in next year's Fountain Hills budget to fund the needed streets/pavement improvements and maintenance does the Town's Council and leadership want to instead commit these limited financial resources to the higher cost of establishing an in-house fire department? ($500,000 more in 2023/2024 than the advantageous and cost effective Rural/Metro contract for locally provided emergency services.)

Once a fire department is established in house, Fountain Hills will also need to pay for any future go forward corresponding pension obligations for these personnel. The cost of this is already currently included as part of Rural Metro's contract. The pension obligations and other costs for a new in-house fire department and personnel will also have an impact on the short- and long-term funds/resources available in the future for the town’s good condition streets/pavement preservation program.