KINGMAN – A proposal to split the Northern Arizona Fire District (NAFD) was snuffed at Monday’s Mohave County Board of Supervisors meeting. The board voted to deny an impact statement, effectively stopping the process and a request by proponents to gather petition signatures to seek voter approval of carving Valle Vista, Hackberry and Valentine out of the NAFD.
While board members acknowledged support for letting the people decide the proposition at the ballot box, supervisors also said they have a duty as well in evaluating whether the split is financially viable and in the best interest of the residents of the newly proposed district.
“The facilities that are currently owned by NAFD- fire stations, equipment, buildings- all of those things, those would not deed over to the new district,” Lingenfelter said. “The new district would essentially start from scratch, and they would have to procure, construct and design facilities, all of those things.”
Several proponents responded that they are confident in their asset and budget analysis that a new district can be self-sustaining.
“What happens if this district fails, and it almost looks like it’s destined for failure. If it does fail, then this board will have to hire an administrator to run the fire department until we can appoint someone or have an election,” Bishop said, reminding the board of its previous care taking position involving the Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire District.
“All those problems come back to this board to fix after the fact,” Bishop said. “As much as I would like to see this go to the vote of the people in Valle Vista and have them make the decision and put it to bed one final time, and neighbors will be neighbors once again, I don’t think it’s a smart move on our part to allow that to happen.”
Lingenfelter noted that two governing board seats are up for grabs in the 2022 election cycle and that unhappy fire district changes should use that forum to push for change and improved fire service.
“I would really hope that good candidates would run next year for open NAFD seats,” Lingenfelter said. “You’re the owners of the district. Take it by the horns and own it and run it the way you want.”
