The Town of Fountain Hills is part of District 7 and provides deputy coverage in the Rio Verde-Tonto Verde, Goldfield Ranch and McDowell Park areas, for which the town receives a credit from MCSO.
The contract specifies 18 FTEs (deputies) for Fountain Hills, but actual coverage is less due to inability to staff or call-offs, leaving actual staffing at 15+/-. Our concern should be what happens when there is an accident, other traffic stops or a domestic violence call outside of Fountain Hills, which inevitably requires more than one officer on-scene. In these instances, our coverage within Fountain Hills leaves us short of the average available FTEs.
Given the rapid residential growth and retail centers in these neighboring communities, it's likely that calls for sheriff's assistance will be increasing. The contract specifies an annual review and an annual credit for FTEs unfilled for two consecutive months. If we are paying MCSO monthly, then why not receive the credit monthly? The town currently pays for 2.55 detectives at an annual cost of $368,000. Why are none of the detectives stationed here in Fountain Hills? What is the "clearance rate?” Do we have statistics on clearance rate? Is the clearance rate adversely affected by the detectives not being stationed in Fountain Hills?
Given the statistics available and the inability of MCSO to adhere to the contract, an arbitration clause should be included in accordance with the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code), with Town Council oversight and with appropriate legal representation.
The issues outlined above should be considered as discussion points in future contract discussions with MCSO.
Residents of Fountain Hills expect and appreciate absolute transparency by their Town Council.
