Sky Schaudt/KJZZ

The town of Carefree, Arizona, is in northern Maricopa County.

Carefree voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a new property tax to support fire and emergency medical services.

If approved, Resolution 2022-18 would have funded the transition to a regional emergency response system called Automatic Aid in the small town in northern Maricopa County. The measure was approved by the Carefree Town Council by a 6-0 vote in December.

According to early returns, 80% of residents voted against the primary property tax. Turnout for the special election was more than 65%.

The town of nearly 4,000 residents will continue its contract with Rural Metro. City officials have called this move "inadequate regional assistance during a time of need."