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?
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
I have never taken credit, and thank you for admitting things are better.
All my posts are just setting the record straight, with facts.
The chamber did a great job, and every business in town has benefited.
You just can not admit the marketing is working.
Many thanks to contributors who have taken time to share your thoughts by writing comments. To reach an astounding 300 voices is amazing but, of course, eliminating my own occasional two-cents worth would slightly reduce that number but not by many.
The exchange is lively and, regardless of your opinions, it’s an honor to have been involved in the process of encouraging public participation in a really important issue ~ Sedona finances and the budget process. In addition, comments on City Limits 101 and other topics, numerous and varied, are likewise appreciated.
Sedona incorporated based on voter approval; therefore the management process should remain transparent, above board, and honest.
All comments are welcome, but the bottom line is Sedona registered voters should be the only ones with viable power that if effectively applied can demand top performance from those in charge of making vital decisions for the future of our incorporated City ~ and not the entire Verde Valley. Your attention, voices, and mostly by exercising your right to vote when elections roll around are the only means to be heard. Never forget. If you don’t use it, you will lose it.
Sincerely,
Eddie Maddock
That the Councils picked a winner with the Chamber is another whopper from ss.
Recovery from the Great Recession is the real reason bed and sales tax numbers keep increasing. However, inflation cannot be discounted. Annual inflation in the US has increased by 11.4% from 2009 (using the CPI published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). This has driven up lodging rates, as well as corresponding bed and sales taxes collected. The fact that the bed tax went up by .5% in January 2014 cannot be ignored, either.
IMO: Now that we have the Chamber and Suckner in our face, traffic is getting worse due to an increase in day-trippers, Sedona’s quality of life is under siege, and City politics is in the sewer.
Well said @Jean J. No matter what, S. Segner will take credit for upswing in economy. But of course if the pendulum had swung the other way he would be whining about it, like they did the Slide Fire for a while.
Never to my knowledge has an accurate accounting or professional audit been produced by the Chamber or demanded from city staff or council. The great cover up is what I call it. However, after having read the official “ordinance” which pretty much gives the Chamber carte blanche it’s doubtful things will ever change.
Future plans for more resort hotels and community gathering places at Brewer and Schnebly Roads plus the addition of Tlaquepaque North will only worsen traffic congestion . Do you suppose S. Segner will also credit the Chamber for that as well?
With the Christmas Season approaching (oops, forgot – that’s a no-no) – With the “Holiday season” approaching how much more money will the Chamber be asking for their failed Holiday Central? Last year Jen W. vacationed in Hawaii or some seaside location as her Face Book postings indicated. Guess she was still recovering from whining about having to remove wreaths from uptown by herself the previous year.
All we can do is wait for the money well to run dry and be prepared for the attempt to sock it to the legitimate City Limits residents to cough up dollars to maintain the life style the city has created for their pet project – the Regional Chamber of Commerce and their members. Along with death, taxes for the local regional Chamber of Commerce is a sure thing in this neck of the woods.
JJ is it so hard to say the chamber did it’s job. Sedona is up over every city in the state and most in the U.S. . sale tax is up and the town is growing.
I know some people don’t like change but is happens and it is good.
Thank you, Jerry, Sedona City Limits, for bringing up one of my favorite subjects: Political Correctness.
You inspired me enough to open up my doors and windows and instead if playing old favorites like “Misty”, “Body & Soul”, “Laura”, “I Wanna Be Around”, “Stardust” and “Who Can I Turn To” – to mention a few – I went directly to the CHRISTMAS CAROL section of my cheat book and pounded out “Silent Night”, “Jingle Bells”, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, “Frosty the Snowman”, and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” All that was missing was a fire in the fireplace, a Christmas tree, and a hot toddy. And guess what, the sky didn’t fall and I didn’t even get the police at my door – yet! Daring to do such a brazen thing as not only disrespect “political correctness” but do it off season was risky business and as I await the consequences I might just do a repeat performance tomorrow. Hmm . . . must think on that one.
Nonsense is what it is.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Feliz Navidad one and all, men and women, boys and girls (also not politically correct) regardless of the time of year.
My Opinion ,
Eddie
@steve Segner
Could or would you please just be quiet?
We all know that you and your pals (city council, regional chamber and lodging group) take full credit for everything as you all spend money that should have gone to all the legit Health, Safety and Welfare issues that would improve our town instead of increasing traffic, causing more wear and tear on all of our infrastructure, etc.
Change should be a positive and I’m not opposed to good changes – I am opposed to taking money away from our community to support business’s outside our town and pet projects of our Council (such as the National Monument and all the time council has spent on it). How come that is such a difficult concept for you?
Steve Segner – what the H are you talking about? I’ve read this entire thread and I’m at a loss as to what you’re referring to above. But if you’re saying nepotism, secrecy, suspicious back-door dealings, over-reaching, and corruption are getting the job done we have a different definition of SuCCESS. We ALL are being (over) taxed to death and I’ve heard more than one tourist complain about Sedona’s high taxes which is driving business away. Those tourist come once – that’s all, just once – experience the greed and corruption prevalent in the Chamber and City and they NEVER come back. You are blind if you can’t see it.
The Chamber and the City currently has lost their way. They are the hare, not the tortoise, which the citizens would like them to be. It would be nice if they thought about someone else besides themselves and planned for a sustainable future . It takes neither a rocket scientist nor the best Sedona psychic to see that the world economy is in trouble. China is currently leading the economic global crisis that not only parallels but is right now exceeding the crash of 2008. Wake up and smell the coffee. Stock up. Sh!t’s getting real.
@J.J.
@sharlett
@Jerry, Sedona City Limits
@JeanJ
@Eddie
B R A V O !!!!!!!!!!!!!
j.j.
First off you pay only a small city sales tax.(live free or die) is that it?
Second , your world view is your own.
Sedona’s bed and sales tax are in line, and in fact most hotels now charge a $15.00 to $30.00 fee on top of the regular room price.
Studys show that Sedona has the BEST customer rating the U.S in 2015
Rounding out the top 10 domestic destinations are Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, Honolulu and New Orleans.
More surprising are a handful of high-ranking small destinations that made the grade, including Sedona, Ariz. (No. 13); Napa, Calif. (No. 16); and Lahaina, Hawaii (No. 18).
Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards honor top travel spots worldwide based on millions of real and unbiased opinions from TripAdvisor travelers. Award winners were determined based on a combination of travelers’ favorite places and overall destination popularity.
So j.j. one more time you just make stuff up
you know nothing about the hotel business and it shows.
You say nepotism, secrecy, suspicious back-door dealings, over-reaching, and corruption are getting the job done we have a different definition
and you know this all how? Oh ,ya you read it on the internet.
I am sorry you live in fear ,and hate…
Lastly, sales are up $40,000,000+ bet tax is up, sales tax up consumer awards.
Dam that chamber
ss
J.J.
Same as you J.J., after reading through these comments the final blow came from “Check it Out” who made public the actual Ordinance pertaining to the contract the city has with the Chamber of Commerce. That, along with the admission by S. Segner the idea came from Councilman John Martinez, made it very clear that never, at any time did the city or city staff intend to go through the process of request for competitive bidding proposals. They didn’t give a hoot about getting the best bang for the buck, and to this day they remain clueless because that’s the choice “they” made.
Going to the city web site to “Calendar of Events” takes you directly to the Chamber of Commerce, identified both left and right side, bottom of page. How much of those millions of tax dollars collected by ONLY city businesses are going to directly promote the Chamber, improve their web site, solicit new members, and pay for new employees?
The blatant dishonesty of the entire sham is disgusting beyond words. For the city to ignore the disgrace makes matters worse, but the deal was pre-conceived and when even a partner in the professional Phoenix advertising agency the Chamber sub-contracted in Phoenix contributed $1000 to the present Mayor’s campaign to get her elected – well, can it get more stinko than that?
Steve Segner would be better off to keep his mouth shut and enjoy the fruits of his labor. The reason the city council(s) bought into his “trust me/us” sales pitch is because that’s the only way they could achieve that .5% bed tax increase. Sedona’s heart and soul was sold before it ever went public.
And that’s the way it is.
Oh Sharlett, don’t be so quick to pick on segner, we all know that you take full credit for everything against spending anything anywhere.
Oh Sharlett oh Sharlett we’re still waiting for you to give us your last name. What every happened to that?
Steve Segner’a ‘live free or die’ comment is yet another con job. According to Sperling’s Best Places, “Compared to the rest of the country, Sedona’s COST OF LIVING is 38.50% Higher than the U.S. average.”
OK now do I have it correct?
City Council(s) and City Staff go to great lengths to implement LGBT and Human Rights Ordinances to assure there’s no prejudicial treatment within incorporated City of Sedona.
However, they put into motion a bed tax increase of .5% without having approval from ALL in-city lodging facilities.
They then sign the notorious Destination Marketing Contract with the regional Chamber of Commerce, without requesting competitive bids for the contract. The Chamber then hires their own professional ad agency in Phoenix to perform the work for which they were contracted but are not qualified to accomplish without the help of experts. A partner in that Phoenix based ad agency contributes $1000 to the campaign of newly elected Mayor Sandy Moriarity.
And then, this City, with full knowledge, tolerates the extreme biased activity offered by this “regional” Chamber of Commerce to promote businesses outside Sedona City Limits that do not contribute to the tax base. Further, the City extensively funds this “regional” Chamber Visitors Center which refuses to promote in-city-limit businesses that contribute to city sales tax unless they either (1) become a member of this “regional” Chamber of Commerce; or (2) pay $300 as was quoted in a comment from someone named Steve Segner.
One absurd attempted rationalization that tourists staying outside City Limits, while not contributing to city bed tax, offer trickle-down economy for tax-paying businesses in City of Sedona is nuts. Even if there were proof of it, the system is illogical as the “trickle down theory” should be originating within City of Sedona.
Adding insult to injury, they conveniently enter into another “Service Contract” with Red Earth Theater in order for the City to get in the business of performing arts at the tune of almost $60k for the alleged one year contract. Same as the contracts for a visitors center and destination marketing, competitive bidding was not offered for “City Performing Arts Service.” Will the contract be for just one year or, as has happened with the Chamber of Commerce, was that just more lip service and will the contract be forever?
Where is the great humanitarian caring this council attempts to portray when it comes to the source of the funding they so generously dispose of in most peculiar ways? That source comes from the taxes paid by Sedona City Limit residents and businesses in the form of sales tax, (including on commercial rentals), utility sales tax and franchise fees, business licenses, building permits, and monthly sewer fees, the rate increasing to the point they are driving people out, to mention a few. This, of course, is in addition to the admittedly important tourist trade which we deserve more than just a “trickle” from those staying outside City Limits, frequently for the advantage of avoiding Sedona City Bed Tax.
They clearly do not practice what they preach. Treatment offered by the City Administration is, in itself, biased as outlined above. Do they really think the dirty truth portrays them in the light for which they so desperately strive and think they deserve?
If this City Council spent more time assessing their own ethical conduct than on worrying about political correctness and catering to their selected favorites as they ignore their blatant discrimination against those responsible for Sedona’s “incorporated” status, everyone would be better off. Of course most likely with the exception of their own arrogant egos.
Phonies is what they are – all of them IMO
CORRECTION: According to Sperling’s Best Places, “Compared to the rest of the country, Sedona (zip 86336’s) COST OF LIVING is 29.20% Higher than the U.S. average.”
Yes housing is 190 average 100 all other categories same or below average.
We all know housing is not cheep in sedona and is almost double the national average if the price of homes keep going up then that number will only get larger and home prices go up in places people want to live …. Seem the numbers look great just a fact remember sedona has not property tax.
Ss
@ Alarmed
I went to Sperlings site and was unable to recreate that list.
I have a question for you; would you want to live in a community that was 29.20% lower then the US Average????
You ALL pay property taxes . You also all pay STATE taxes. Don’t be fooled by a joker -S suckner. The county services with the schools and fire district were in place FIRST. Unlike other cities the schools and Fire department are NOT part of the city. The Library is also NOT part of the city. The city gets $$$$ taxes from the property taxes you pay into county. Then they get a percent of your state income taxes $$$$.
He’ll say anything to fool you. Steve is a liar. Say it enough and people with believe and repeat it.
Chamber – Lodging are STEALING 1.5 million annaully (millions of $ to date) of YOUR money that should be used on roads and sewer. He wants you to pay more so he can STEAL more. City KICK BACKs to private businesses.
Message for S. Segner:
When voters approved the incorporation of Sedona it was based on the premise there would be NO CITY PROPERTY TAXES. Take time to verify that, Segner, with your good pal “Sand” as well as those in the know such as Jim Eaton and others who were involved with the proponents for incorporation. If you can’t live with the idea of giving property owners within incorporated Sedona a break by not adding city property taxes on top of county then go someplace that suits you better.
Read carefully the words from “Tax Man.” If you can’t accept it and part with your ongoing crap to justify the Chamber/Lodging/City connected financial rip-off then why not consider moving on to an area that is more appreciative of your unwanted and unsolicited advice?
Check it out
Exactly, and that is why tourist produce the majority of the city income, not residents.
Good thing (Yes) so by supporting tourism we are producing more income for business and more income for the city, Check it out ,-as long as business is good no need for city tax.
When people complain about being over taxed I just like to state, they pay no city tax, that simple.
Thanks for agreeing with me ss
Of course, S. Segner, we agree on the value of tourism – which by the way very healthily existed before millions of $$$ were “gifted” to the Chamber of Commerce for unwarranted destination marketing which, to date and without proof otherwise, has only resulted in unrestrained traffic jams from day-trippers, many of whom go through Sedona just to reach Oak Creek Canyon. If you are so intent to tell the truth, S. Segner, tell it all.
WORD OF MOUTH IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST FORM OF ADVERTISING THERE IS!
It also works the other way. Visitors to Sedona waiting in 90 degree temps. in 2 to 3 hour gridlock also send out that message to their friends.
steve Segner is a LIAR.
Go back in the comments on this issue for a listing time and again of all the taxes Sedona City residents ALREADY pay.
He just keeps threatening even HIGHER taxes when in fact if we did not give the Chamber over a MIlion and a Half dollars per year our taxes would be LOWER. And with LESS tourists, a better place to live and visit.
You’re a liar Steve.
@jess Lookin @Check it Out Correct you are!
While everyone is all worked up about the proposed National Monument, the truth about all the liars and stealers in the town is lost.
Everyone can make a change by speaking up. All the information is online and in public documents. Only then will the control and bullying stop. Go above the city’s head. It is clear they only have their friends at heart. They do not represent you, only special interest.
Step up and try. Report it to any higher power.
We can change this ONLY if enough of us speak up.
Budget Review and Planning look the next City Council meeting they are GIFTING more money FROM the general fund to Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Check it out here:
http://www.sedonaaz.gov/Sedonacms/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=26741
AB 1993 Discussion/possible action on the allocation of General Fund Contingency in an amount
between approximately $5,000 and $10,000 to provide a grant award to the Yavapai Big Brothers Big
Sisters organization under the City’s FY 2015-2016 Small Grants Program. This award would be in
addition to those previously made by City Council on July 28, 2015
@Tax Man & @Norma, both of you are correct. Incorporated Sedona management continues to run amok. They are literally way out of bounds with their outrageous amount of funding to the “regional” Chamber of Commerce as well as lesser amounts to every Tom, Dick, Harry or any other name that comes begging to them for a hand out.
They certainly to not practice the idea of charity begins at home since they cannot and will not address drainage and city road issues. Oh no. Take care of the rest of Verde Valley. What next? All of Arizona?
Definitely a case of the “cobbler’s children have no shoes.” But by golly we’ll make darn sure everyone else does. Oh, but of course, the “cobbler’s children” aren’t paying our way. Says who besides Steve Segner?
ENOUGH. Time to take action and, as suggested by Norma, register complaints where they will be heard. State Laws are being broken. Let them know.
@ Judy Stein
I don’t understand why you couldn’t find where Sperling’s Best Places stated Sedona (zip 86336’s) Cost of Living is “29.20% Higher than the U.S. average.”
There’s such a thing as competition. The Cost of Living cannot be so high that efficient small businesses fail to survive. Nor that seniors on fixed incomes and the working poor living in town are thrown away.
It wasn’t so long ago that both Bodacious Burgers and Studio Live closed their doors because of over-the-top sewer rates. And New Frontiers said they couldn’t compete and wanted out. In a City so committed to the arts, Sedona Art Supply went out of business after 30 years. ETC.
In addition to WW rates, School District and Fire District assessments are becoming unreal.
@Tax Man – you are so correct! This will be the second money give away to that group (Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters organization) this year by our council!
What ever happened to all money grabbers showing up when our budget is being considered? Looks like free range for money grabs.
It looks to me that if this National Monument designation does not happen, which I strongly oppose, that our City will be faced with having to institute a property tax because of the crazy spending that’s occurred beginning w/ the Barbara Antonsen venue debacle where $566,600 grant from AZ Parks and Rec was not insured before being turned over to the public/private non-profit group that went bankrupt, because additional funds were spent hiring an architect already involved in a lawsuit (for the problems with the dome he built for a North Texas college) and whose dome he constructed here collapsed, to name a few examples. I recently learned the dome for the pool was never installed but the pool is heated throughout the winter for the swim team. Did that $100K get spent on Barbara Antonsen, too?
That’s right, Scarlett
Dam, the homeless, the needy, the food bank, meals on wheels, the school lunch program, the school backpack, programs, Boys and Girls clubs, human society and all the other feel good projects, and the “ARTS” programs, and let’s not get started on Parks and recreation. LET THEM EAT CAKE,
ss
@steve S
You are correct about Sharlett….Selfish and self centered to the extreme… Only cares about herself… Phony!
Btw. She’s up to her old tricks , posting under various names in order to make it sound like people actually agree with her BS…She’s one crazy crazy. Man/women
Way to go, steve Segner. Four City Council vacancies will be available next year (includes mayor) so can we count on you to run? With all your wisdom and amazing suggestions you would fit right in with the majority of left-wing socialists/communists presently (dis)serving Sedona.
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, how about running for the school board where you can teach all the little kiddies how to beat the system, go on welfare, and never have to work a day in their lives.
With the low percentage of Sedona voters you are a sure bet to win a seat where you can turn your liberal suggestions into law.
Regarding Big Brother grant, I was at the original meeting discussing the small grant allocation. I suggested at the meeting that the Film Festival and Wine Festival have their amounts reduced and to allocate that money to other organizations such as Big Brothers for 5K. The council, except for Mr,. Martinez, ignored that suggestion. Mr. Jablow said he would not consider taking any money from the film festival, yet he approved a grant reducing their grant request by 2K. Thus I suggested a way to give Big Brother something without going over the budget amount of 150K, and the council instead decided to exceed budget by reviewing a grant to Big Brother from general funds.
Oh Steve segner – yet once again you twist and spin and make no viable points. You are so off point it is just crazy. Please get back on point.
Point being that City needs to only spend money on Health, Safety and Welfare issues than all the rest of their personal agenda’s.
@West Sedona Resident – FYI.
I only post under my name (and no others) and so sorry you and segner don’t like that what I write is only based upon truth.
@Robert O’Donnell – your words are very powerful! Thank you for stepping up to comment with the truth.
@steve Segner & West Sedona Resident
Oh, Please stop using me as you typical go to person to support your nasty stances and defile me with much very much incorrect information!!!
Get over it steve segner and West Sedona Resident: – either stand on your own or just shut the hell up!
Bottom line is just stop using me as your whipping post….cuz that doesn’t work any longer.
Steve Segner, if you really are the charitable person you continue to toot your horn about, then why is it you don’t convince the city to No. 1 cease and desist giving all that money to the chamber of commerce and No. 2 convince the chamber of commerce the $1.5 million would be better spent on supporting non-profits in a charitable way instead of encouraging more tourists, mostly day trippers to Oak Creek Canyon. To take care of the needy would certainly be a better way to benefit all residents, businesses, and tourists who would get the picture that Sedona is really a loving place instead of the greedy monster the lodging council and chamber of tourism has turned it into.
And for W. Sedona Resident, I’ll save you the trouble to connect me with some Sharlett. Have no idea who that person is but she/he makes a lot more sense than you or Steve Segner combined.
And yes, Rober O’Donnell, I watched that council meeting and you did a superb job in presenting your sensible suggestion. Too bad you were preaching to seven people who act like the three monkeys who see, hear, and speak no evil because they are living in their own little world.
What? No response from Segner to Marty? Could it be the chap (Segner) is reassessing his priorities? Oh my, if so what a refreshing change it would be for him to literally put his money where his mouth is and fund non-profits instead of the payroll of the Chamber of Commerce. What a wasted $1.4+ million dollars for just one year’s worth of BS nonsense, bogus calculations, and misrepresentation. And, of course, adding insult to city financial injury is the city administration that allows and tolerates this insanity to continue.
Around $2.5 million in handouts budgeted for in and out of towners, and now additional money for Yavapai Big Brothers & Big Sisters will come from the Sedona General Fund? What happened to keeping taxpayer dollars inside the City limits? To using taxpayer funds for health and safety purposes instead, such as needed drainage and road improvement projects? IMO, those who worked on the budget jumped right in and pursued spending big bucks on the City’s totally screwed-up list of priorities.
Yah Jean you tell em. drainage and road improvement are more important then giving money to help kids that live in the city limits (big bros & sisters). isn’t that a core health and safety purpose? I for one don’t see that as anyone screwing up. but then you wouldn’t have anything to bitch about.
In case someone forgot to tell you, IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT DRAINAGE AND ROAD IMPROVEMENT. Maybe if you got out of the house more often and drove around you’d see that we’re in the twenty first century and life is going to move forward with or without you. Helping children less fortunate is going to make them better people in society.
“Long Time Resident” = you speak of living in the 21st century. Well guess what, Sedona didn’t incorporate to take care of the entire Verde Valley. The purpose was to remove the incorporated area within city limits from the jurisdiction of Yavapai and Coconino Counties. Prior to incorporation roads were “county” and I can tell you Coconino County did a helluva better job at maintaining road and drainage when it was their responsibility.
You are mistaken “Long Time Resident” which I doubt or you would be aware the city’s number one responsibility is to service incorporated Sedona and not be Mother Teresa to the “region.”
Jean Jenks, you are 100 percent correct and I applaud your tenacity to reveal the truth. Great job. Keep it up.
@Long Time Resident
As I recall the major issues inside our City are what our tax dollars are supposed to go towards funding. Do you agree?
So just doing some logical thinking that should mean that the City of Sedona only spends money on items/issues and needs Within our city limits. Do you agree?
Continuing on with Logical thought process should mean that we keep our tax dollars inside Sedona and do not pay money for business’s or groups outside Sedona. Do you agree?
Now to your heart felt issue of the Yavapai Big Bros and Sisters group that is Not inside our city limits. Am I correct that the Sedona Big Bros and Sisters group/Teen Center and the YMCA all shut down here because of smaller attendance and lack of funding?
FYI We, the tax payers, have given much money to the kids and organizations that lived/live in the city limits so I’m believing we tried as best we could to provide for them. Do you agree?
Now you are asking us to feel comfortable with essentially busing our kids to another town and we have to pay for that? Do you agree?
Unless you have forgotten we, the tax payers, have approved at least two school district over rides which cost all of us. I’m not complaining about that just refreshing your memory on how we locals do, in fact, take care of our kids. Do you agree?
Now back your target: BUDGET Review and Planning: Health, Safety and Welfare expenses are the main issues. Those and how much money our local elected spend on everything but not on main issues. They drain monies away from anyplace they can find them as they spend our money outside our city, on their personal agendas as we all know, and our kids, are the losers.
Just think what it would be like (nirvana concept) if our City elected and Staff ever once suggested or voted for taking care of our kids by taking away a bunch of the Regional Chamber money and using it towards funding/supporting our future leaders – aka our kids.
This current council doesn’t represent Sedona as they aren’t spending their own money. They spend our money and don’t give a good damn as to where. I’ll bet that if they were spending “their money” their sights would be much higher.
Give me a break!
yapper u r @Long Time Resident. Yap, yap yap. Great if City Management wants to give away money to regional groups but they SHOULD spend or gift their OWN money.
Yap, Yap yapper u r. Give away your own money. Stop playing Santa City.
Thank you Marv, Max, and Santa City for setting the record straight and agreeing in your own way with the astute observations and facts consistently presented by Jean J.
As for Long Time Resident and agreeing with Marv, it’s very doubtful that person has lived here long at all. In fact and because of the skewed thinking it’s more likely he/she lives outside City Limits – probably another member of the “regional” Chamber of Commerce that benefits from “free” advertising at the expense of City of Sedona.
Long Time Resident is probably delighted Sedona is paying all that money to Red Earth Theater to do whatever it is they are doing in the former Teen Center, which as Max points out was to benefit youth which wasn’t appreciated. And how about Parks & Recreation making it possible for teens to go to Sound Bites on Tuesdays during the summer and nobody showed up! Another waste of precious dollars.
Then to think the City Council takes up staff time in order to bring up funding Big Brother & Big Sisters for the second time! It’s little wonder Tabatha Miller quit her job here and went elsewhere. She displayed intelligence that is foreign to the likes of Long Time Resident and the Socialist/Communist city council members. What a waste and display of very sad times for Sedona.
Rather than invest in the future the City of Sedona has selected over the last twenty years to pay for “likers” They do so by funding special interest groups with money. Then these special interest groups like segners, goldenstein, wesselholf rallies behind anything the City does. But don’t forget they are the recipients of millions of taxpayers’ money without any accountability.
This breeds dysfunction. The families are leaving Sedona , they are not welcome. No one is welcome unless they say “yes” .
Suppression, insulting, and belittling is the manner in which the city treats its businesses & residents. Those that care about their children have left Sedona as Sedona cannot offer a decent education. The schools are filled with a minority of welfare students with English being a second language.
The city won’t be happy until they have the entire city filled with money.
Jean Jenks is 100% correct and @Long Time Resident you are one of the choosen- special interest benefiting from taxpayers money.
At the council meeting this afternoon aren’t they going to finalizing their “Human Rights” code? Oh sure… human rights except for those of us living in Sedona who do not even count as being among the human race – especially if retired because this council and staff thinks we’ve lived too long and should be dead. And that’s just the way we are being treated. Tough that our properties flood and our streets are a mess. But by all means be the cash cow for the entire Verde Valley. City Council that is NOT why you were elected! Why don’t you get it?
The City’s 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) contains terrific information in that it itemizes Bed Tax Collections for the “Last Ten Fiscal Years.”
FY 2015 Bed Tax Collections = $2,659,290
Upon plugging the Bed Tax collection data for pre-recession fiscal years 2006 ($1,850,892), 2007 ($1,703,147) and 2008 ($1,899,439) into the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator and then adding $379,898 to adjust for 2015 revenue resulting from the .5% Bed Tax increase effective January 2014, the following variances from the $2,659,290 collected (for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015) are obtained:
-$ 88,454 for FY 2006
-$319,174 for FY 2007
-$174,088 for FY 2008
Of course, these negative variances are non-existent. Amara Resort, Sedona Rouge and L’Auberge all added guest rooms after 2008. In addition, guest room rates have gone up very significantly since. Then there’s the wear and tear tourism causes on City infrastructure and the Police, the City staff time involved, the negative fallout on City politics and elections, the increase in day-trippers and the deteriorating qualify of life to factor in. All have big costs that City government does not acknowledge and address.
Holy Sh**t!!! Thanks to the recovery from the Great Recession, the Chamber of Commerce/Lodging Council will pocket $1.5 Million from City coffers this year (FY 2016).
The top three issues seem to be intertwined: National Monument Designation, Sedona Traffic, and Sedona Budget (this article). My reason for posting my thoughts here is because of the comment from Steve Segner (among the myriad of other contributions) about it being John Martinez of the city council who actually made the “deal” with the chamber of commerce and lodging council for the advertising contract prior to “lodging” agreeing to the .5% bed tax increase. (And obviously the reason it was consummated without benefit of RFPs.)
Now reading the intrigue(?) of just how one or more committees were formed during the years 2013, 2014, and 2015 (re E. Maddock comment on Damn all you who want Facts) allegedly at the request of the “city” to KSB to make recommendations for the NM Designation, it certainly appears another behind-closed doors “deal” was made, and same as the “regional” activity with the chamber of commerce, this one will be designed to make more decisions relating to the quality of life for the entire Verde Valley.
This City of Sedona has once again indicated the total disregard and lack of respect for the jurisdiction they were elected to represent ~ Sedona City Limits!
Furthermore, and relating to both City Budget and the pursuit of a National Monument designation and Traffic, the City itself already has a track record of being the worst abusers of maintaining a “small town” atmosphere and having respectful regards for the natural beauty and resources. They should be awarded the medal for having done more to cook the Golden Goose than any other single thing. And now they want to be the saviors and underwrite a National Monument Designation? Have you ever seen such a blatant example of “do as we say but not as we do”?
Proof? Look at the almost every corner and the number of hillside massive developments. Hotels, timeshares, ugly signs and colors (purple New Age Center is one example) and continued approval of more and more high density including the proposed community gathering places (or are they focus areas or something). Then you have ongoing lip service about the outrageous traffic tie-ups with the only offer for possible solutions will lie within yet another expensive traffic study. While at the same time in compliance with the “new” Community Plan a further study will be underway to revise how we use the land in Sedona (or will that also include the entire Verde Valley?) All of which comes with high price tags (more about the Budget) as “they” continue to throw money at every non-profit who, if the truth were known, are probably much better off financially than the City of Sedona.
So you see, the spider(s) continue to spin their webs and don’t be surprised if they do such a dandy job they will get caught up in their own deceit, trapped in their own tangled webs. It’s bound to happen.
In the meantime, maybe a National Monument Designation wouldn’t be so bad if it served to discontinue the alleged need for all that money to go to the regional chamber of commerce and promote only their members. Maybe even in-city establishments would get a break and not be required to be members or pay $300 for their information to be placed at the “official” chamber visitors center” (contract as a service to the city). That’s another joke that might rightfully be sent packing hither and yon with the Designation of a National Monument.
Seriously, would it be so much worse than what we have now? Maybe then John Martinez and the other nameless behind the scene deal-makers will have their reins pulled in by Big Brother and won’t be able to so freely give away the rights of those in incorporated Sedona. As it is, we’ve pretty much lost them all anyway.
Valid points @Tangled Web
Yes, maybe the latest attempt, National Monument, for incorporated Sedona and KSB to take over the entire Verde Valley will result in a failed knock-out punch that renews our faith in the “Eye of the Tiger.”
All wrapped up – neat and tidy in a bundled package, beginning but not ending with the “regional” chamber of commerce and funding every non-profit which was the bait to reel in the entire Verde Valley to the clutches of the power-folks in Sedona – City Council, Chamber, and Lodging Council.
Wake up call? Take heed.