Leaders of special districts providing essential local public services across the west Phoenix Metro gathered Wednesday with representatives of the West Valley Congressional Delegation on federal issues impacting service to their communities.
The “West Valley Special Districts Congressional Roundtable” was hosted at the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority headquarters in Sun City West. Elected leadership and management of fire, domestic water, irrigation water delivery, and flood control districts met with the offices of Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and Representatives Paul Gosar and Abe Hamadeh on topics that spanned from elevating awareness of district services across the region to the status and future of major funding opportunities.
The American Association of Special Districts (AASD) and Arizona Special Districts Alliance (ASDA) coordinated the roundtable to facilitate direct conversations among federal representatives and local officials ensuring public health, safety, and quality of life for their shared constituents.
“The importance of special districts connecting with legislators and, importantly, their staff cannot be understated, said Carol Shrock, ASDA President and AASD Secretary, and Sara Carroll, ASDA Administrator and AASD President, in a joint statement. “From water infrastructure and flood control to firefighting and rural development – there are many federal issues that impact our services to our communities. We thank our congressional offices for taking time to meet Arizona’s special district leaders, getting to know us as local government stakeholders, and hearing our policy priorities.”
Top of mind for district officials was ensuring special districts have clear eligibility and access to federal programs. In doing so, they shared the core differences between special districts and peer general governments, such as cities and counties. Districts in attendance advocated in support of the bipartisan Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act, which would federally define the term “special district” for purpose of ensuring clear eligibility to access and engage with federal programs intended for local governments.
District stakeholders raised concern with the trajectory of U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs. They cited reductions in technical assistance resources for water infrastructure and operations, which small public entities like domestic water improvement districts turn to for financial help. Fire district officials in attendance also underscored the importance of Department of Homeland Security fire prevention and safety programs, such as the Assistance to Firefighter Grant.
“We appreciate Arizona’s federal legislators taking the time to meet with us and hear firsthand about critical challenges and priorities facing Arizona’s special districts such as fire, water and irrigation districts,” said Arizona Fire & Medical Authority Chief Mary Dalton and AASD Board Member. “We look forward to more grassroots legislative engagements in the future. Together, we can work toward solutions that strengthen public safety and ensure our communities remain resilient and well-served.”
Kelly, Gallego, Gosar, and Hamadeh representatives also received a tour of an Arizona Fire & Medical Authority facility in Sun City West, which included an up-close look at the District’s fire apparatus.
Districts represented on the roundtable included the Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical District, St. David Flood Control District, Sunburst Farms Irrigation Water Delivery District, Thunderbird Irrigation Water Delivery District No. 1, the Arizona Fire Districts Association (AASD Founding Member), and the Rural Water Association of Arizona.
More than 350 special districts provide essential public services across Arizona including fire protection, drinking water, wastewater treatment, flood control, irrigation, electricity, healthcare, library, and road maintenance services. They are political subdivisions of the state under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 48.
Learn more about how AASD is working to unite, strengthen, and advance America’s special districts at www.americasdistricts.org or email Cole Arreola-Karr, AASD Executive Director, at contact@americasdistricts.org. For more on how ASDA is raising awareness of and advocating for all Arizona’s local special districts governments, contact Sara Carroll, ASDA Administrator, at info.asd.alliance@gmail.com or visit www.azdistrictsalliance.org.