Proposed ERAU Airfield Project & CAFMA Fire station: Phased Approach and Community Concerns
The Town of Chino Valley is currently considering Phase 1 approval only for the proposed ERAU airfield project. Phases 2 through 4 are planned for the future, and each will require separate Council approval when and if the time comes.
The CAFMA Fire station – What We Know Now
The current Phase 2 plans include potential construction of a CAFMA Fire station, but this is not under consideration at this time. The Fire station would only be reviewed and approved when and if Phase 2 is brought before Council.
Addressing Community Concerns About Funding
Community members have raised fair questions about funding for staffing and equipment at the proposed Fire station. Town of Chino Valley leadership met with CAFMA to discuss these concerns. The Perkins Ranch project team has stated it would fund the construction of the fire station when it is required. Equipment and ongoing operational costs associated with the fire station would be defined and funded based on several factors determined during that phase.
Here's what we can clarify: Because Phase 2 isn't on the table yet, we won't know the true impact or operational details of the Fire station until Phase 2 is presented to Council. When and if that time comes, CAFMA would step in and use their established organizational processes, and in conversation with the developer, determine whether the proposed Fire station would operate as a publicly or privately funded facility, or some combination. If it becomes a publicly funded fire station, community members would be served by the station and have fire and medical services available closer to their homes, but would in turn help fund their portion of the station. If privately funded, the station would only operate and serve the airstrip, and no services would be provided to the local community.
Bottom line: We understand these are important questions, and we want community members to be aware we are working to help provide clarity. That stated, the proposed CAFMA Fire station is not part of the current phase under consideration, and as such will have no impact on the CAFMA portion of property tax assessments. When and if Phase 2 comes forward in the future, we'll work closely with CAFMA to provide full transparency on how the Fire station would operate and what it would mean for our community and any impacts to the CAFMA portion of property tax assessments.