The Golder Ranch Fire District was created in 1977 by a vote of the residents in the area. Today the District serves a 250 square mile area with a population of nearly 120,000 residents. Included in the District are the communities of Oro Valley, Catalina, SaddleBrooke and southern Pinal County. Golder Ranch is governed by a five-person, non-partisan board elected at large by the voters of the District. The Board establishes policy, sets tax rates, approves the budget, and hires the Fire Chief. As a special district of the State, Golder Ranch Fire must comply with all applicable Arizona Revised Statutes such as the Open Meeting Law.