Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Board members listen to Fire Chief Marc Meredith’s presentation of the 2023-2024 budget. Photo by Marion Vendituoli 

Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Chief Marc Meredith presented the 2033-2024 budget for the station to the SEFD Board of Directors on May 15.

The $1,660,212 budget, which reflected an increase of $108,004 in expenses over last year’s budget, will not result in an increase in the district’s tax rate, which will remain at 2.72 percent.

Meredith anticipates an increase in revenue, as property valuations in the district went up, in many cases significantly, which will increase residents’ tax bills.

He also projects that revenue from ambulance calls will increase.