SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (May 8, 2015) – It’s that time of year for budget review and planning. Work sessions are presently taking place.
In two years, the Capital Improvement Fund will be depleted. Just last week a “professional service contract” was signed by the City to pay out over $2,000 a month ($25,000 annually) to Red Earth Theater for it to provide performing arts. Of course Sedona has been promoted as an art center, but since when haven’t artists been able to promote themselves? Where is the pride and confidence in their ability if they are unable to do so? Since when was that a financial responsibility of public tax funds? Why wasn’t that facility, the Teen Center, leased out for profit to the City instead of the other way around?
How much more will be “given” to non-profits? All worthy causes, but again not the responsibility of a municipality when creature comforts become neglected and there’s no funding in sight to make things right.
The primary responsibility of our elected officials is to provide for the Health, Safety, & Welfare of those living within the confines of the designated area – City Limits. They were not elected to continually over-use the words “I think” and base their decisions on their own wants, needs, personal agendas, and opinions that don’t reflect the will of the general population, those that elected them for the purpose of representing them and not themselves.
And, of course, in Sedona the same considerations must be extended to our visiting tourists since, yes, they are huge contributors to the tax base and also deserve, among other creature conveniences, decent roads and adequate parking while spending time in Sedona.
Spending millions to encourage more traffic when Sedona cannot accommodate what is already here is nonsense.
Giving away money to the line-up of many who should be self sufficient is out of control. What about the Sedona Film Festival? Has anyone bothered to request an audit in order to determine just how badly that very popular offering to Sedona is in need of enhanced funding?
Enough has already been reported on the absurdity of the outrageous and unaccountable amount of money allocated to the “regional” Chamber of Commerce to advertise themselves, increase their own membership, enhance their own web site, and operate a City financed Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center to promote only their members as they continue to shun in-city businesses that do not acquiesce to their demands: Be a Chamber member or else you do not get referrals from the Visitors Center. And at the same time they promote members that do not contribute to the City tax base!
As a Chamber of Commerce that is its responsibility – to serve its members. It is not the responsibility of the City of Sedona to use tax revenue to advertise the Chamber and their members – period.
Priorities appear to be skewed, and unless they are intensely reviewed and scrutinized current sources of revenue will dry up and, of course, then comes the question: What will be the “new” source(s) of money?
We all know what proposals have been on the drawing board and it’s highly unlikely they will be favorably received by the voting citizens of Sedona as long as the frivolous spending continues.
Heads-up! The process is under way – so now more than ever is the time to pay attention.
How many residents are in the position of grasping “new” sources of funds when we feel it’s a good idea? That notion, of course, is very unlikely as we must realistically alter our wish list to accommodate living within our budgets.
Why does the City of Sedona feel that rule doesn’t apply to them? Isn’t it time we insist they do?
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How about if the 1000 plus members the chamber claims to have, how about they all pay “dues” to the city to qualify for their recognition in the number of ways the city is financially providing it? That might help balance the act and be a better representation and ROI since at the moment the city sits with nothing more than a worn out spinning wheel working in tandem with tired yarns. This council isn’t about to renege on the ad contract or bogus “city” visitor center since it was the chamber paid to get them elected.
Years ago we visited friends in Sedona and found it amazing. Picturesque scenery, a variety of hiking trails, beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. We recall a wonderful place to have dinner called The Owl Restaurant, and it was across from an amazing art gallery, Husebergs (question the spelling?) After our friends moved we only returned a few years later but were very dismayed to discover our favorite Owl no longer existed. Replaced by a somewhat grotesque looking art gallery that resembled nothing like we’d seen in our earlier days visiting Sedona. The lovely Huseberg gallery was then a bed and breakfast. Sedona, in general, resembled little as we remembered it.
Because of our initial fondness for the area, we are interested in current events although we prefer to recall the way it was and not the way it’s become and apparently continues to goes from bad to worse as we read about not only your seemingly misguided local government but the state of confusion within your departments regulating your school and fire districts.
Is the entire state of Arizona dysfunctional or is it just centered within the Sedona area? If so would the vortexes be a contributing factor to so much convoluted thinking and turmoil?
Sedona needs to return to its spiritual roots and embrace the universe. Eschew politics! Sweat lodges, aura photos, crystal conventions, magic, galleries of selfies, and more of the black arts that landed a simple beautiful area into the ownership of businesses and corporations. You people deserve each other.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Back at cha, Clint & Naomi
So let me get this straight, in WA and specifically Yakima which is 1244 miles away from Sedona, you have nothing better to do then to troll web sites in Sedona of all places and decide to have an opinion that we should all take as gospel?
I’ll be the first to call it, BS!
Oh Really? The matter of the city budget is nothing to laugh about. It’s very serious. As are opinions from past visitors.
Why spend millions to attract destination tourists and then pooh pooh feedback? Your “Back at cha” slang reeks with bad taste and trailer trash mentality.
Really. Clint and Naomi are right.
I’ve live here for a long time. The traffic is bad, the roads off the main highway are poorly maintained. The city is running out of money for capital improvements yet they “grant” money to the Chamber of commerce and any art project they are pitched.
A shameful dereliction of their duties to the people who live here.
Clint and Namimo
Any time there is a comment like the one from the above, where they love to tell us where they are from with both husband and wife name..
I suspect it’s a local (with too much time on thier hands)who loves to try and fool us..Can you spell SHARLETT
.
Why can we not forward this?
Nice Article. You bring up “extremely” valid points @Eddie Maddock and did so under your real name. Awesome!
Team work is completely lacking in the “city politics” as we have all witnessed and continue to witness. The manner in which our residents and businesses in the incorporated city limits get treated is not acceptable in my opinion. The city of Sedona is an incorporated area yet I see those outside the incorporated area controlling and benefiting from city money. I also witness city council and staff using the terms “I’ continuously. Isn’t the incorporated City a “we”?
As I watched the City Council meeting on Economic Development I heard Larry Hammer say many relevant points. The most important one was how the City needed to “appreciate” their businesses and how the Chamber has their own members who are “regional”.
Only by removing ALL conflict of interests can the city move forward, transparent. Businesses and artists need to be self sufficient. Everyone needs to learn to fish instead of being handed fish. This is the only fair way to run a city. The residents and businesses within the incorporated area need to be treated as first class citizens instead of the “red headed step children”
Speak up Sedona city residents.
Donna Joy Varney
@”Oh Really” – Of course you are entitled to think as you please. However, when my late husband, Chuck Maddock, drove for Pink Jeeps (back in the dark ages when John Minnick owned the operation, prior to when he sold it to Shawn Wendell) Chuck frequently had global tour customers. Some were even accompanied by interpreters.
And the same as our own personal friends who visited and even today remain interested in Sedona and its changes, people from Malaysia, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Germany, and other parts of the world did the same.
Is there a reason to think people outside Arizona have changed, especially with the convenience of the present day Internet? Quite possibly that’s the very reason word-of-mouth advertising remains the most valid method of spreading the word – both good and bad.
Therefore to quickly pass judgment on comments from people identified as being residents of Yakima, WA or elsewhere, especially those with which you disagree, might not be in the best interest of promoting Sedona in a favorable manner to the growing number of Sedona Eye subscribers outside the confines of this immediate area.
Eddie Maddock
Before I moved to Sedona I followed the local scene. This included newspapers and websites. If I would have know the city goverment funded the chamber I would have never moved here. Wrong is wrong city council.
Thanks Nancy May, I’ll read your comments right after I pop open my can of Schlitz Beer and smoke a joint.
I’m shocked that you would talk bad about trailer people when we have so many of those hard working people in town.
You’re older than dirt. Schlitz? That piss still around? Get back on topic. Or shut up.
Since the city council have NO more experience than you…….. this is very scary. The city council is giving away money we NEED! Trying to figure out how to get more to give away to special interests groups.
Untrained seven making decisions on your life! Bad
According to the April 30, 2015 Budget Workshop ACTION ITEM LIST: “Directed staff to proceed with the refinancing of the 2005 and 2007 Series Bonds [interest only] and to return as soon as possible with a specific plan for obtaining additional revenues through bond financing [i.e., new bond debt].” Vote: 7-0 (Thompson/Jablow).
The presentation by Mark Reader and Erika Miller of STIFEL assumed “Public Sale of $10.3 million in New Money Issuance.” Whoa! Debt financing has been overused by the City without increasing it. Total Outstanding Principal as of 6/30/2014: $46,645,000 of which $35,970,300 is wastewater debt.
City government has grown largely unchecked, and City Hall has spent many tens of millions in pursuit of pet projects without providing the services our citizens need or want. In addition, there’s the mushrooming giveaways to special interests to lament.
The whole enchilada Stifel presented–refi of the Series 2005 (wastewater) and Series 2007 Bonds (wastewater & capital projects) plus the additional sales tax bond debt? $29.9 Million.
Thank you JeanJ. Most of us don’t understand this. I don’t. With Sedona being at the top ten Arizona cities with the highest debt, I don’t get it. Why does the city council continue to give away taxpayers money to special interest groups and create more debt for us? Aren’t they suspose to do what right for the city and citizens? It appears that they care more for those special interest groups outside the city.
We are headed for more debt and the population is shrinking in size. What is this message? What can “we” the ordinary citizens do?
Thanks so much
Donna Joy Varney
Video to watch
https://www.facebook.com/ColRobManess/videos/1082089815139786/
Interesting video.
Sedona councils, past and present, already have taken strong “politically correct” positions by changing former Easter to Celebration of Spring, and Christmas related activities to Holiday as in Holiday Central & Holiday Trees although even the White House continues to feature a Christmas Tree.
Two seated council members recently voted against maintaining the moment of silence and one remains noticeably disrespectful during the 15 or 20 seconds the majority of council members take to gather their thoughts.
Clearly and for the most part it appears the city council would like to stifle anyone that speaks during the public forum if they do not agree with personal agendas of those elected to represent the very public who would dare to speak up during a meeting. Not so with the favored that are so obvious there’s no need to mention names.
How long will residents sit quietly and tolerate this? When the gavel hits the final blow to our limited budgets while the select few continue to feather their financial nests, it will be a bit too late.
Listen to Jean J. and Donna Varney and a few others who very specifically offer facts and, yes, even suggestions for logical solutions to an increasingly troubling situation. Please.
@Same all…same all – or who ever you are!
Once and yet again YOU are so totally paranoid and just flat as wrong as you attempt to attach sharlett to any of the above posts!!!!
fyi: sorry I can’t make your dreams come true. I took a vacation from this site for at least a week or so, and am just amazed that the no real name @Same all…same al l is still so enamored with Me that he or she just has to continue to hit me when I have be absent.!!! LMAO!!!
Two remarks made at the council meeting yesterday (see comment under article about dog training classes) caused me to review the video of the 5/12 meeting to verify remarks made by Council Members Martinez and DiNunzio. Sure enough Martinez thinks some people should take the dog class to learn how to become better citizens. DiNunzio’s comment about CVS was a bit more complex, and included many citizens “are elderly and they don’t want to have to deal with conflict at this stage of their lives and so they don’t come forward to speak here – this is considered a hostile area for many of our residents . . . ”
Now what determines elderly? Are they (the city council) in the same category as the dreaded retirees accused of not paying their fair share? So just where do the members of this city council fit into the picture? Except for one former city employee, do the others work? At what age will they be considered elderly?
My reason for this comment is to point out that little regard is given to Sedona residents other than they are a nuisance to the process. And I totally understand the reason people refrain from using true identities on this site because it obviously could result in retaliation and/or retribution as in “sock it to the retired old fools – they MUST pay more money to the city.”
With that kind of mentality how can a change in the budgeting process possibly be expected to occur?
Please explain. Since the decision has been made to proceed with proposed CVS Plan A, of what relevance are comments about sewer, city staff, city council or citizens engagement as continue to appear under a CVS article?
Maybe revert to budget planning and the latest acquisition being considered by the city, that being to purchase the property next to city hall where the association of realtors have their office might be more appropriate. That, my friends, if approved will have a huge drain on revenue for years to come. Enough funds have already gone “down the drain” with money given to chamber of commerce, art coalitions, art in public places, film festival, ad infinitum.
Same as the city should do, why not consider reprogramming your concerns? Just a thought.
Sorry but just can’t resist temptation. If the city buys that property next to City Hall and based on the policy they just set with the Teen Center, just think. They could probably pay someone even more to rent it – say $5, $6 grand or more per month? That seems to be the mental process of this enlightened seven – that the city pays people instead of the other way around – attempting to gain income for the city. Go figure.
A little bird told me Shugrue’s Hillside will be reopening in three weeks or so. Apparently Mark (original owner) is stepping up to the plate and will restore it to the wonderful place we once knew. Good luck and good for Sedona’s economy!
Joshua
One would think that home owners would want our city to have vision and be proactive. Buying to only property that’s available next to city hall only makes sense. Once someone else buys that land, it’s gone forever.
Oh for God’s sake @ Rockin Roger!!!
IF or When the City buys that property, next door to current City Empire – they automatically will loose the sweet tax revenues from a commercial development!!! Is that too difficult to understand? And they – Council- will have to pay for it with Our tax dollars – so plz explain the benefits? Lest you forget @ Rockin Roger – we are surrounded by thousands and thousands of USFS Open Space Park lands!!! and we need more in town? Ha!
Call me crazy but hasn’t our population dropped below 10,000 or just hovered around that that number – and without measurable growth?
So my simple question is: with a basis of No Growth population – why does the City need to expand their supposed shrinking Empire spaces? ……….just cuz they keep adding unnecessary jobs to equate to their wants and existence?
Kinda reminds me of how a previous Council got rid of several Commissions and committees because they were taking up too much space and supposed costs (on every level) and they replaced them with a holding group of some 150 people wanting to play the City advisory group games?
Seems to me that at some point in time the box called “Reality” needs to be checked. Could we ever just get back to basic’s of Health, Safety and Welfare?
How much money does this city give away? Does anyone know? @JeanJ your great with numbers, can it be determined?
How about how many special interest groups get “paid” like the art group taking over the teen center, or chamber? Come on folks you have million dollar organizations talking money from the city. What is that vision? Make no sense.
Follow the money, friends of friends get paid through this funding. The city funds private enterprise- no return on investment.
This city has it backwards, they are supposed to GET money not give it away.
Well Sharlett since you asked, I do think you’re crazy and very narrow minded. What you fail to believe is that long after you are gone, SEDONA WILL CONTINUE ON WITHOUT YOU. So we need to think ahead, It’s called long range planning.
While you may not like it, SEDONA WILL CONTINUE TO GROW for years to come.
Even if the city just rents out the existing space on that land for 10 years, when city hall needs a parking lot and office expansion they can then expand into that area which keeps city services all in one area. What a concept, GOOD PLANNING. Many cities and towns that hadn’t planned in the past are surly kicking their own butts for not having that vision.
As for the loss of the commissions, pick up your big girl pants and walk away because they’re gone hopefully forever. They were just a waste of time and nothing more then non paying patronage jobs that Mayor Adams liked to give to his pals. If you think I’m wrong just go asked JeanJ, shes been around before the beginning of time and will know. Shell tell you that they were created by Mayor Adams himself and was called on the carpet for doing it without the other councilors votes. It was another time that he had a temper tantrum and threw down his crayons.
But this city government doesn’t think logically @Rockin Roger. Otherwise they would have rented OUT the Teen Center instead of paying over $2,000 a month to the alleged theater group for another pig-in-the-poke fiasco (reference money “given” to the chamber of commerce.)
In fact, the Teen Center’s been a white elephant ever since the city accepted it as a gift from the Kiwanis, Sedona 30, or whoever the heck it was that so “graciously” donated a lost cause in the first place. The city should have sold it a long time ago. That would have allowed them even more give-away money to the line of beggars at city hall.
Property around city hall is owned by others who aren’t stupidly offering up what can be developed for bigger bucks and still Retain ownership
But what you guys seem to be missing is the feel-good moment for the egos of the anointed seven – to be empowered to under the guise of city service contracts boost their own self-importance to give away public funds, when they have nothing to do with health, safety or welfare. Of course the welfare portion will be questioned because clearly it’s only the welfare of special interests and the ego’s of the seven voters that are increasingly taking center stage – along with the ridiculous monthly performances at the beginning of council meetings. An embarrassment for Sedona but that of course is just one man’s opinion.
@Rockin Roger – your funny! I didn’t ask you IF I was crazy but you, once again, spin words! Guess that makes you happiest?
I’ve known Sedona since I was perhaps 10 years old – I’ve always understood and been grateful for the fact that Sedona existed well before me and will continue to exist well beyond me. I am not one of those who believe we need to close some gate to keep every other person out. So your words are meaningless and only self serving.
Could not agree with you more about thinking forward and long range planning. What part of forward Financial balancing Books and financial security and No new taxes or No new bonds or No new special tax areas do you simply not understand?
What you call my “narrow mind” is alive and well and fully understands the global bigger picture of finances rather than the narrow minded feel goods of the council’s wants that simply want to spend money without any clue as how to fund same.
Question to you R Roger: how do you do your monthly finances? Do you look at your bills and figure out where the money will come from to pay them? OR do you just spend and spend and then spend some more because stull looks good and you want it or because other stull looks better and you’ll just over spend as you Rack up huge debts?
FYI: the Commissions were created as the City was created which was well before our God gifted Mayor Rob. So R. Roger – your facts are Factless!
Yep Mayor Rob expanded every thing he could think up – and did a bunch of it without council approval. Then all hell broke loose as his Council decided to control him and to let the employees take control – and the honorable Commissions were disbanded and the “illustrious” Citizens Engagement group was formed that was controlled by Staff?
So just Maybe, Mr. R Roger – you just might want to spend a few minutes (out of your last 3 years here) to check your Facts!
@Joshua – Your comment is so right on and factual! Duck your head cuz I’ll bet ol Rocking Roger will send his drone to take you out!
Sharlett
Wow….been here since you were 10, im guessing you must be about 100 now..
Just wondering why I don’t see sny great plagues or statutes dedicated to the great one For all your dedication to Sedona..
I guess as you get old all you can do is spin facts and try to remain relevant by showing us how smart you think you are..
Just wondering why I only see the name Sharlett associated with you CRAZY blog posts here.surely after all you’ve done the least they could do is name s rock after you. “SHARLETT ROCK”
Didn’t your mother call you Your fake name Sharrlett when you were a baby?
Back at ya Sharlett.
You’re a funny guy and one to talk about putting a spin on things, I must admit that you are a “Master of Spin”. Examples you ask???? How about giving us your last name, you just keep side stepping that one.
My most important thought of the day is common sense really; a city isn’t in the business of making money. Please tell me one city that runs their books like a household? Of course I run my household in the black without any government subsidies. It’s also common for government to float bonds or take loans to get work done now and pay the nut off into the future so that those future residents will be the ones paying for the services that they use instead of current day residents paying for things that they’ll never use and someone else will, makes sense, right????? Well maybe not to you but to normal thinking older folks like me.
How about your contradictions; first you say “the Commissions were created as the City was created which was well before our God gifted Mayor Rob.” and then in the next sentence you say; ” Mayor Rob expanded every thing he could think up – and did a bunch of it without council approval.” The point being is that he created two or three commissions only to have the rest of the council to call him on the carpet.
That is exactly my point with your own spin.
So how about it, you keep saying that Sharlett is your real name and how great you are but it could be Tyler or Jim, how about giving us your last name.
@Rockin Roger
Last name is Smith. And your first name is….. What?
Your hypocritical comments are laughable.
You wrote: “common sense really; a city isn’t in the business of making money. ” Disagree on every level with that concept.
It is the City’s job to not over spend from the revenues they get in. Opps, I forgot – City Staff and Council now understand how they can move funds around from one account to another as they increase their expenditures while NEVER asking what their Wants will cost? Brilliant………….and dumber than rocks mentality.
City staffs and City Councils put/ find themselves in a place of spending Other People’s Money (cuz its Not Their money) and believe the bucket or money Well will Never run dry! They Never think that they should NOT over spend for all their personal wants and they sure as hell never think about a balanced budget within their means. They also think none of us realize the population in Sedona has dwindled and yet the number of employees grows and now our Mz Sandy Mayor wants to buy more property to expand City Hall? OMG.
Instead, they (staff and council) just keep spending and figuring they can tax or indebt us on some level, to pay for their feel goods and councils lack of understanding of a City Budget.
It’s not about my name, “Rockin Roger”, so stop using that as a diversion to the real facts….Facts are that our little town becomes more and more indebted and no one catches on to that truth of our debt and our expenditures and where the money goes.
Scarlett:
If the population of Sedona were to drop ,to say 7000, it would not make any difference.
Most of the city expenses are (fixed), they are not population driven.
Roads do not shrink, the wastewater plant still needs to run and be repaired. We still need police, a building and parks dept. and bonds still need to be paid for.
Sorry, for repeating myself but people that live in Sedona pay no direct city tax. Most of our income comes from visitors ( bed & sales tax) and state monies.
And by the way, the money we pay the city for sewer service is a fee not a tax, and is cheap.
Just remember there are 9000 people that work in Sedona. Yes, more than live here and we have all our visitors.
Scarlett, there are over 3000 buildable lots in and around Sedona and when they are built out there could be 6,000 more cars on the road.
Sedona will grow; Sedona will not be the same as when we moved here.
And yes, Sedona is a tourist town.
We cannot, nor should not stop growth. Under state law the city cannot stop people building on their lots or businesses building on their commercial property.
Growth is good and important but we should manage it. Our city staff and city council is doing just that. Scarlett, you wouldn’t know because you never come to meetings, planning sessions or meet with city officials, you just @#$%%
Question? As a homeowner or renter do you have more rights then a visitor? Or an employee of a city business… Remember this is America, not England in the 18th century.
Steve
@steve Segner,
You are really amazing.
Of course the downsizing of our population plays a huge role in our funding and budget. 7000 = MUCH LESS TAXES AND STATE REVENUES….DA? Doesn’t that equate to less City revenues on all levels and even your precious bed tax?
Most of the City expenses are certainly NOT Fixed! Where did you come up with that concept …. oh, sure – lest I forget – all the budget feel goods and employee costs…and contracts called for and let – but do you not understand the Council can reduce, reduce and further reduce funding to every line item in order to reduce the budget all In order to stay within their means? Isn’t that what most thinking people would do once they realize they have over ridden their credit cards or their actual revenue in?
IF the City Staffs and Councils would have just stuck with the basics of Health, Safety and Welfare issues – well then it seems like we would not have a budget expense as huge as we have. What say You?
Hate to burst your little bubble, steve, but People who live in Sedona do, in fact pay taxes, as opposed to your concept of “people that live in Sedona pay no direct city tax “. Correct: no City property taxes – yet and unless I’m reading my County Tax Bill incorrectly – I’m paying a ton of taxes where a portion come back to our little town and on just about every purchase I make in town – I pay a tax.
Interestingly and yet again you bring up the increased .5% Bed Tax issue. Wasn’t it YOU and Your Board who supported that WITHOUT a vote of your Membership??? Your Answer?
Please verify the number of 9000 employees? Where do they park?
One of the more inane comments you made regards some supposed 3000 lots not built upon (and just to be clear – that number has changed repeatedly over the past 20 years). That concept has been blowing in the wind for decades and yet build out has never choked us….your point?
I’ve never denied nor suggest Sedona should not grow. My point is Sedona should grow Within our financial means.
steve segner: You have absolutely no idea of how I stay in touch with the actions the City takes! And quite frankly? None of your business!
Our City Staff does all that is important to them to sustain their jobs and make it a living hell for any developer!
And, to answer Your last question of ” As a homeowner or renter do you have more rights then a visitor? Or an employee of a city business… Remember this is America, not England in the 18th century.”
Easy answer to a really dumb question! YOU BET I HAVE MORE RIGHTS THAN A VISITOR!!!
steve: I actually live within the City, vs up in Oak Creek Canyon – so I vote as a REAL RESIDENT rather than a guy trying to screw the system.
Sharlett said,
but do you not understand the Council can reduce, reduce and further reduce funding to every line item in order to reduce the budget all In order to stay within their means?
MARCH SUMMARY
The March 2015 report continues to present a recovering economy for Sedona. As has been the trend for most of this fiscal year, sales and bed tax revenues have returned to the pre-recession levels of 2006- 2008. For the first nine months of the fiscal year sales tax (not including bed tax) revenue is at $9,342,753. This is $1,127,753 above budget year-to-date (YTD) and the highest YTD figure in the last ten years. As a comparison, FY 2008 through March was $8,927,096 (See March 2015 Dashboard).
Sales and bed tax revenues YTD for the first nine months of the fiscal year are 14% and 14%, respectively
Sharlett,
look at the numbers I think the city government is doing a great job, money in the bank income up, time to borrow and get some big project done….
steve
But of course it doesn’t matter to Mr. Segner whether it’s 10K or 7K population within Sedona City Limits since he lives outside the boundaries and wouldn’t be subjected to any such taxes that he continues to insist those of us who legitimately live in incorporated Sedona should be paying. And naturally the fewer residents the more it costs per capita since the need for infrastructure continues to grow even as the population continues to dwindle.
These ongoing give aways over and above the sizeable annual gift to the regional chamber of commerce, under the guise of destination marketing when most of us realize all they do is advertise for members for themselves, needs to be stopped. The most recent lease deal with the Red Earth Theater is nuts. They should be paying the city. Of course, that isn’t at all how Mr. Segner thinks. We residents should willingly and with smiles agree to being taxed out of our properties for the likes of frivolous and uncontrolled gifting of money to anyone standing in that growing line of takers.
Wake up Sedona. But how many times has that suggestion been thrown out which means the odds appear to be in Mr. Segner’s favor since the majority of Sedona, as reflected by the low voter turnout, really doesn’t give a hoot. Need more proof? The approval of Home Rule which allowed the continuance of uncontrolled spending. Let’s face it, the majority of Sedona registered voters that bothered to have their say at the polls are in agreement with Steve Segner. Period.
Well jerry
I will answer your question.
You said:
“We residents should willingly and with smiles agree to being taxed out of our properties for the likes of frivolous and uncontrolled gifting of money to anyone standing in that growing line of takers.”
Jerry, please show all of us how Sedona “taxed us out of our properties” hmm no city tax… no sale tax on food?….. not property tax…. oh ja the bed tax went up.5% you if stay in a hotel several week a month it could add up.
Jerry,
I live in Sedona, check with the state, I also have a home up the canyon, just like half the residents of sedona have seconds homes, under state law I get to pick.
And Jetty, Sedona does not give a “gift” to the chamber, it hired the chamber to do marketing, and who knows Sedona better.
and yes Jerry, two city council voted for it and, AND it uses only bed tax monies.
Oh, remember home rule, it won, you lost…..
You are correct the city of Sedona make very little on me or any resident,
we should be paying a city tax $200. to $500 , I pay over $60,000 is county tax and what do I get for that ? Jerry if $500.00 a year is to much for you you can alway move,, there is an old saying You get what you pay for ,some of us want MORE and are willing to pay for it.
The difference between you and me is I don’t think I pay enough and you think you a pay to much… much being (0) .
and by the way,
Red Earth Theater is exactly what the city should be doing, we are city growing old and we need to think of the next several generations,
steve
Well we wouldn’t expect any other answer from Steve. He getting a 1.2 paycheck from the city to market his business. Stealing taxpayers money for his own special interests.
Well, Steve Segner, guess you told me. And who died and assigned you the ultimate King of Sedona to be telling and dictating how it should be managed.
For one thing, the chamber of commerce is NOT a qualified advertising agency which is proven by their need to hire a professional agency in Phoenix who, by the way, contributed $1,000 to Sandy Moriarity’s campaign for mayor.
Of course you wouldn’t know or care that at the time Sedona incorporated it was approved (and not by a landslide) based on the promise there would be NO CITY PROPERTY TAXES. Of course, even if you were aware of that, which is doubtful, you seem to think you know what’s best for one and all – but especially yourself.
What in the world would Sedona do without such sage advice from the likes of you?
S miller,
Stealing taxpayers money
Now now, it is a fact that the city of Sedona is paying the chamber to do a marketing program, with monies from a bed tax paid by visitors,
That is not Stealing… please stick to the facts.
@steve Segner – since you have already admitted that you live “up the canyon” where the hell do you come off saying YOU live in the City??? YOU, steve segner have figured out how to screw with where your actual residence is with the State – as you drive up the canyon to your house there!
OMG Mr. Segner! YOU JUST BLEW YOUR OWN BUBBLE when you said: “I live in Sedona, check with the state, I also have a home up the canyon, just like half the residents of sedona have seconds homes, under state law I get to pick.”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? steve segner – do you not Understand what you just said?????????
Lets go back to your words, Mr less then steve stellar …opps, segner:
#1 You live in Sedona? PROVE IT! (VS properties you own in town BUT DON’T LIVE IN!,
#2 You also have a home up the canyon where you live in and rent it out for any and all kinds of events and don’t charge city taxes?……am I right?
And then, #3 YOU State that “Half the residents of sedona have seconds homes, under state law I get to pick.” (last part references that YOU seem to think you are above the Law? )
Quit frankly @steve Segner – the rest of what you wrote makes no more sense and is unworthy of comment – other than your comment of: ” just like half the residents of sedona have seconds homes, under state law I get to pick.”
Hay buddy – you think you know how to live in one place and vote in another as (quote steve segner) “I get to pick”???? My take is That’s called ILLEGIAL.
Lastly steve segner – Please provide the correct stats that State” half the residents of sedona have seconds homes”…YOU can’t provide those facts.
You, steve segner say: “Red Earth Theater is exactly what the city should be doing, ” OMG! You agree with the City paying to support a want to be New Feel Good new group that never went through the City Process as all the others did?
Bottom line is Jerry is correct – our City can not afford people like you or all the other folks who tag onto the entitlement party line….it will and should – always come back to money in – money out in order to balance our budget in order to fund our Basic’s needs….which by the way do not include us paying for all the want to be grabbers of our revenues.
Suggest all read the newest version of city budget and you will find that there is another #35K to be spent to get the old teen center up to speed for the new Red Earth Theater – at our expense.
So, mr you don’t live in town but when it pleasures you – you do have to, at some point – own your own lies!
The next several generations should only be thinking about the far reaching DEBT being placed upon them as a result of the Current Borrow concept …., Borrow and Spend, Spend mentality – of which you seem to want to lead the troops.
My Guess is YOU are going to run for Mayor once Sandy’s term is over? Ha Ha Ha!!!
This…and nothing more -> “But what you guys seem to be missing is the feel-good moment for the egos of the anointed seven – to be empowered to under the guise of city service contracts boost their own self-importance to give away public funds, when they have nothing to do with health, safety or welfare. Of course the welfare portion will be questioned because clearly it’s only the welfare of special interests and the ego’s of the seven voters that are increasingly taking center stage – along with the ridiculous monthly performances at the beginning of council meetings. An embarrassment for Sedona but that of course is just one man’s opinion.”
@Steve Segner – what’s the address on your vehicle registration?
To Selective Members of the Sedona City Council:
A comment posted on Sedona Eye states in part the city is going to spend an additional $35,000 for improvements to the Teen Center to accommodate the Red Earth Theater. Is that accurate?
“Suggest all read the newest version of city budget and you will find that there is another #35K to be spent to get the old teen center up to speed for the new Red Earth Theater – at our expense.” ~ partial quote from Anonymous Voice
Why is it this City is engaging financially in the business of theatrical production? Why isn’t Red Earth Theater leasing the Teen Center from the City? Why doesn’t the City sell the facility? It’s been nothing but a White Elephant since the City accepted ownership from Kiwanis/Sedona 30 or whoever it was built it in the first place.
All of you pledged to be financially responsible when you ran for office. You continue to fritter away tax money on anything and everything that has nothing to do with health, safety, and welfare although probably in your minds these off-the-wall give-away funds justify the welfare for those few special interests on the receiving end. You think nothing of $10k, $15k, $25/30k here, there, and elsewhere. Don’t you understand? Those small amounts add up.
What will be the source of funding you have planned for improvements to the Brewer Road property? Is that project as well as your focus areas more important to rob from Peter to pay Paul as you continue to ignore and put on the back burner projects that actually address matters of especially “health and safety.” Of course, the hazy “welfare” seems to gallop on the white horse leading the pack.
Of course arts projects, groups, coalitions, etc. are viable “special interests” as are others. However, the business of incorporated municipalities does not designate in State Law that they should have higher priorities than basic essentials. When meager creature comforts are appropriately funded, then why wouldn’t that be the appropriate time to cut the remainder of the pie? Not the other way around
And next you will be discussing ways to add new taxes from the residents who do not benefit from the wasted money you continue to throw at the selective few to which you pander.
How fair is this to the majority of voting residents who must file complaints when our city streets become so bad the pot holes are causing flat tires? (that was actually the case in Broken Arrow a few years ago and now Morgan Road in particular is a mess because of all the tourist traffic due to the trail-head.)
Why is financing a theater group more important than street, drainage, and traffic control just to mention a mere three examples of basic needs that continue to be put on the back burner for what appears to be warped values of what is necessary?
The opinions expressed here are my own.
Eddie Maddock
Deals for endorsements and discrimination against city residents and businesses. The deals are made for any of those special interest groups that take payment from the city of Sedona. In exchange for money $$$ those groups like the Chamber, Sedona Lodging, Sedona Film festival, Main Street enable and endorse more groups to put their hands in the taxpayer’s cookie jar. Then those group kiss council and staffs axxes to enable and endorse more discrimination for more money $$$. Then they play with the numbers and say locals don’t contribute. The 10 million dollars the Chamber has “stolen” from the city over the years has only increased their own business. They actually hurt the in city businesses in many ways. Stand up Sedona Residents!
Steve Suckner you are sucking the beauty out of Sedona. You may be able to wine, dine and fool that old city council. It is clear that you are trying to rationalize your awful behavior. No return on investment, All the millions have been coming out of the general fund.
Over TEN million dollars has been funded to the “regional” chamber to promote those OUTSIDE the city limits like Enchanment and the Hitlon. Fooling the public to make them think the contribute to the city when they DON”T.
Steve Suckner you, your chamber and lodging group are sucking the beauty out of Sedona for the mighty dollar. GREED!
to, Anonymous Voice
Call the state, that is how it works I have several homes I get to pick.
I work every day to get the city and local group to help all the Arts in Sedona.
We need to do much more, Masa Is way ahead of Sedona and we call ourself a city of the arts.
The Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning, international award winning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona’s largest arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios.
And you are bitching because the city gave a rent break for a small local group , shame on you. 35 k for red earth YES …. at least the leaders of the city get, that Sedona is not Sun city north.
Why all the worry about money ?
Sales and bed tax revenues YTD for the first nine months of the fiscal year are 14% and 14%, respectively.
https://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/misc/about
Most Cities use their assets to make money. They do not give away their assets away for free use. They utilize them to increase income creating attractions within the city limits. I know cities that own industrial areas, piers, and attractions such as wedding venues. They are the landlords, managers. Many cities professionally put on marathons that actually make money for the city, like Cottonwood.
I do find it hysterical that one would benchmark Mesa to Sedona. Sedona is only 2% the size of Mesa in population. I would image they make tons of money renting out the space to Artists.
Steve Segner is comparing Sedona with Mesa Arizona? FYI Mesa’s population as of 2013 = 457,587 (100% urban; 0% rural) Check it out on Google.
What’s to compare with Sedona? As has been stated time and time again, if incorporated Sedona’s population dwindled 1,000 heads during the last census, what is it now? 8k? 7k? And to compare this with a metropolitan city? Come on, Segner. Whatever credibility you are attempting to convey takes a nose-dive with tripe like this. Oh brother.