We’re certain you have read about the problems with the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System in the newspapers. While Arizona’s problems are not as bad a Michigan, Illinois, California or Puerto Rico, they are serious and getting worse.

This is because the retirement systems are considered a part of the state’s constitution and cannot be corrected when things do not work as planned. The only solutions are to cut the services provided by the firefighters and police or increase the taxing method or amend the constitution.

Only the latter can correct the problem. The Rio Verde Fire District’s problem is not as serious as many of the district in Arizona, but it could be if the changes don’t occur.

This modification to the constitution should statewide:

*Save taxpayers in this state $1.5 billion over the next 30 years.

*End pension spiking.

*Enable the plan to correct itself from the effect of market fluctuations.

*Allow certain steps to help stabilize the underfunding of the system.

Join us in supporting this measure to make the pension system perform the way it is supposed to work. It’s to everybody’s benefit.

Vote “yes” on Proposition 124 on May 17.

If you don’t cast an early ballot, registered voters should vote at Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Dr.

This is supported unanimously by the Local Pension Board of the Rio Verde Fire District and by the Board of Directors of the Rio Verde Fire District.