Learn More About the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District Bond
Planning for the Future of Emergency Services
The Governing Board of Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District (TMFMD) has officially called for a bond election to address long-term capital needs across the district. This page is intended to serve as a central place for residents to learn more about the proposed bond, understand the needs behind it, review project information, and stay informed throughout the election process.
TMFMD provides fire protection, emergency medical services, ambulance transport, airport standby coverage, and regional emergency response for communities across the White Mountains, including Lakeside, Show Low, Linden, and White Mountain Lake. As our communities continue to grow and emergency call volume increases, the District must continue planning for the facilities, equipment, and resources needed to serve residents safely and effectively.
Why a Bond Election?
Working with Governing Board and the community, TMFMD has identified approximately $25 million in capital needs, including facility improvements and equipment replacement, which it indicates cannot be funded through its current operating budget. These needs include:
- Facility improvements and modernization
- Equipment and apparatus replacement
- Service capacity and response readiness
- Infrastructure needs tied to growth and increased call volume
While the District continues to operate responsibly within its budget, fire districts in Arizona operate under financial constraints that limit how quickly revenue can grow, even as service demands increase. A bond is one option available to help fund major capital projects over time.
The Challenges Facing TMFMD
TMFMD responds to nearly 8,300 calls annually, with approximately 72% involving emergency medical services. The District also provides nearly 900 standby assists at the Show Low Airport.
At the same time, several existing facilities are operating beyond their original design capacity. Some buildings face structural, space, safety, or operational limitations that affect how efficiently crews can live, train, prepare, and respond from those stations. The goal of these bond investments are to maintain reliable emergency service, protect firefighter safety, and plan responsibly for the future.
Responsible Stewardship
TMFMD has long focused on delivering high-quality emergency services while being mindful of taxpayer resources.
The majority of District funding supports frontline operations, including personnel, emergency response vehicles, equipment, and daily operational needs. TMFMD also produces audited financial reports each year and has consistently received clean audit opinions. Additionally, TMFMD is the recipient of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for the past nine years.
The bond discussion is part of a larger effort to be transparent about the District's needs, the cost of addressing them, and the options available to move forward.
Proposed Projects
The bond would support capital projects identified as high priority by the TMFMD Governing
Board. Investments would include station improvements, relocation, and rebuilding where current facilities no longer meet operational needs as well as apparatus and equipment replacement. Additional investments include facility upgrades to support firefighter safety, emergency response, and long-term service capacity.
Projects include:
Station 13 - Lakeside Station
Station 13 has served the Pinetop-Lakeside community for decades, but the building now faces significant structural, water intrusion, drainage, and accessibility issues. Extensive evaluations determined that repair costs are not financially practical long-term, leading the district to pursue relocation to a modern, safe, and efficient facility better suited to serve the community into the future.
Station 15 - Downtown Show Low Station
Station 15 is the busiest station in the district and has outgrown its original design capacity. Renovated in 2001 for daily staffing levels far lower than today, the facility now requires critical infrastructure, ADA, and living space upgrades to better support firefighters and maintain reliable emergency response for the community.
Station 19 - White Mountain Lakes Station
Station 19 was originally designed for a much smaller operation and no longer meets the demands of the growing White Mountain Lakes community. Limited space, operational constraints, and the inability to support future staffing and apparatus needs have led the district to pursue relocation to improve response capabilities and long-term service delivery.
Aerial Ladder Truck
Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District operates the only fully staffed aerial ladder truck on the mountain, providing critical coverage for large residential and commercial structure fires across the region. Replacing the aging apparatus is essential to maintaining reliable aerial response capabilities, supporting ISO protection standards, and ensuring continued service for the communities we protect.
What This Means for Residents
The purpose of the bond election is to allow residents to decide whether TMFMD should move forward with funding these identified capital needs As the election approaches, this page will be updated with:
- Tax impact estimates
- Election dates and voter information
- Frequently asked questions
- Community meeting information
Our goal is to provide clear, factual information so residents can make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the ballot?
The Board of Directors for the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District (TMFMD) voted unanimously on April 28th to call for a special election to seek voter approval to issue $25 million in bonds to provide funds to construct, renovate, improve, equip and furnish fire stations and other District facilities, acquire apparatus, vehicles and equipment, and other costs. The proposal will now appear on the November 3, 2026 General Ballot.
Why is the District considering a bond?
Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District has experienced increased service demand driven by growth and changes in community needs, with approximately 8,300 calls annually – 72% of which are emergency medical. At the same time, the district’s primary revenue source – property taxes – has been limited by state law, which caps annual increases in property values. The district has identified approximately $25 million in capital needs, including facility improvements and equipment replacement, which it indicates cannot be funded through its current operating budget.
Why can't TMFMD pay for these projects with its current budget?
The District's current budget primarily supports daily emergency operations, including staffing, response vehicles, equipment, training, and administrative needs. The identified capital needs are significant and cannot be funded without affecting current service levels.
What would the bond pay for?
The bond program would fund the relocation and replacement of Station 13, which has structural, foundation, and code compliance issues. It will also renovate the twenty-five year old Station 15, which was designed for one company and three personnel, but is currently supporting up to nine personnel. It would also replace Station 19, which was not designed to house a modern fire engine and equipment. The bond would also provide funds to purchase a replacement ladder truck used for protecting large residential structures.
Is this for a new fire station?
Some facility needs may include relocation, rebuilding, or modernization of existing stations. These projects are intended to address current operational needs, safety concerns, space limitations, and long-term service demands.
How much would the bond cost the average taxpayer?
The proposed bond would have an estimated tax rate of 0.2944 per $100 of net assessed limited property value. Please note: The value used for tax purposes is the “Limited Value Assessed” listed on your tax bill – not the “Full Cash Value,” Zillow market value estimate, or what your home might sell for. Voters can look up their home value on the Navajo County Assessor website and apply the estimated tax rate to their “Limited Value Assessed.”
How could the bond impact response times?
Improved public safety facilities with increased capacity are expected to allow TMFMD to keep up with growth and meet demand in growing areas. Increased efficiency and layouts are expected to allow our first responders to mobilize more quickly, which can also help reduce response times. An additional ladder truck would provide backup to protect large residential structures, safeguard commercial buildings, and provide coverage for the district service area.
How could the bond impact fire fighter safety?
These upgrades and improvements would also allow TMFMD to meet industry standards for equipment storage, decontamination, and cancer mitigation.
How could the bond impact insurance ratings?
ISO (Insurance Services Office) evaluates fire protection capabilities for communities in the U.S., impacting insurance rates for homes and businesses by assessing a fire department's ability to respond to and mitigate fire risks. TMFMD maintains an ISO Class 3 rating which is among the top 14% of all organizations – a potential bond could improve service and potentially reduce the risk of insurance cost increases.
What areas does the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District cover?
The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District (TMFMD) provides fire, emergency, medical, and ambulance transport services to more than 34,500 residents with a seasonal population that can increase to more than 50,000. TMFMD covers approximately 216 square miles and has an ambulance response area of just over 440 square miles. It serves Lakeside, Show Low, Linden, White Mountain Lake, and Show Low Airport from six strategically located stations.
How has TMFMD been fiscally responsible?
TMFMD has been a good steward of the taxpayer dollars – including by delaying capital costs as long as staff has thought prudent. It dedicates more than 80% of all funding to personnel, vehicles, and equipment. Less than 3% of the budget is spent on managerial and administrative costs. TMFMD produces audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports and has consistently earned clean audit opinions.
What is a bond?
Bonds are a way for districts to finance large capital items like facility improvements and new vehicles that cannot be covered by the regular maintenance and operations budget. Similar to a home mortgage, the bonds are considered debt and TMFMD sells bonds to investors to generate funding for the projects and then pays the investors back with interest over time.
How will residents learn more?
TMFMD will continue updating this page with project information, meeting materials, cost details, tax impact estimates, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Stay Informed
This is a community decision, and TMFMD is committed to keeping residents informed throughout the process. Residents are encouraged to review the information provided, ask questions, and follow updates as more details become available.