For 2 years I attended our City Council meetings regularly (most of the time I was the only citizen attending) I have gotten some understanding as to what is going on in our city.
We are over taxed
at all levels of government , local, state and federal.
the city can give pay increases to its workers.
In order for our city to become more efficient at using our taxes there must be a change in the relationship of taxes vs benefits for our citizens.
Here are some of the tax renewals and tax increases you voted on this year:
We are over taxed
at all levels of government , local, state and federal.
the city can give pay increases to its workers.
In order for our city to become more efficient at using our taxes there must be a change in the relationship of taxes vs benefits for our citizens.
Here are some of the tax renewals and tax increases you voted on this year:
- The FUSD override ( vote on March 9, 2010) I will vote for this due to state cuts to education
- APS franchise renewal (a $1,100,000 per year increase for taxpayers)
- City sales tax renewal
- City BBB tax renewal
- Perhaps a State sales tax increase
- and of course, the elephant in the living room, Bonding to spend our taxes.
Here are some of the tax and rate increases you will not be asked to vote on this year but you will have to pay them:
- County property tax increase 18% (already passed)
- City Water rate increase (to pay for the Red Gap ranch and other growth infrastructure)
- APS rate increase and Franchise tax increase.
- NPG rate increase
- City service recovery rate fees
As a concerned citizen I urge you to vote against these increases for a couple of reasons. First, there will be other opportunities to bring these increases back to voters before they expire. By voting them down now we will take the first step in getting our city officials' attention that we mean to become more efficient and business as usual is over. 2nd Our city staff is not working for the best interests of our citizens so we need an overhaul of our local government. The deal city staff negotiated with APS is a proof. APS gets a franchise renewal (at a profit of $5 million a year for the next 25 years) the city gets $1,100,000 a year in franchise tax pass through and the tax paying citizens get to pay more. Not a good deal for citizens. The same is true of the Aspen Place at Sawmill deal. Good for developers not good for citizens.
I urge you to vote against the bonding issues as they now stand. Good for city staff and their buddies not the best use of resources for citizens.
