DHFD News

CALL FOR CANDIDATES

With SB1387 signed into law on April 30th, 2014 by Governor Brewer; the Desert Hills Fire District (as well as all other fire districts in the state of Arizona) will be required to change the fire board size from 3 board members to 5 board members at the 2014 general election

Details of the new law:

Fire Districts; Board Size; Formation

• Requires a district currently administered by a three-member board that levies more than $500,000 taxes in a FY to expand to a five-member board beginning with the first general election held after the end of that FY.

• Asserts that the change to a five-member board must occur as prescribed in this Act.

• Prohibits a district from reorganizing to a three-member board regardless of any subsequent change in the amount of taxes levied.

• Directs all terms of office for members of five-member boards to be four years and outlines the term requirements for members on boards with vacancies during the expansion period.

• Applies this section to any three-member board expanding to a five-member board regardless

of whether the expansion is the result of the amount of taxes levied by the district.

The Desert Hills Fire District Board of Directors is sending out a CALL FOR CANDIDATES to fill the two required positions.  In addition one current board member is also up for re-election, leaving the November 4th ballot with three positions available. 

Viable candidates must reside in the Desert Hills Fire District at least one year prior to the November 4th election date (ARS§ 48-802). Candidates must also be a qualified elector (registered voter) of the fire district.   Candidates should be civic minded persons wishing to further the advancement of the Desert Hills Fire District. 

Candidates must file nomination papers with the county elections department 90-120 days before the election (July 8-August 5th).

Candidates can download election packet below, come into Station #1 for a packet or contact the Mohave County Elections Department for documents and answers to any questions on becoming a candidate:

http://www.mohavecounty.us/ContentPage.aspx?id=118&cid=503

Email: elections@mohavecounty.us or phone: 928-753-0733 option 2.

-Candidates need a minimum of 9 signatures maximum of 250

-If a candidate does not intend to receive or spend more than $250 during his/her campaign, there is no need to file a $500 Threshold Exemption Statement, or a Statement of Organization.  Within 5 days of surpassing $250, the candidate must file either the $500 Threshold Exemption Statement or the Statement of Organization which ever applies.