Sedona City Council
Sedona AZ (May 18, 2014) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:
The City Council is disenfranchising (in effect) snowbird residents by scheduling in August the vote on extending Home Rule. Even though we just had that vote in March 2012, new state laws require the City to vote on Council elections and other issues in the fall of even-numbered years. If the Council waits the full four years, as the extension allows/stipulates, then its members would have to draft a budget according to State limitations. Since Home Rule will have expired, this would mean the Council would have to spend $14 million less than in its current proposed budget. This goes to show that the Council members are so fiscally irresponsible that they are spending at least 33% more than the State recommends for towns our size. Thus each of our nearly 11,000 residents owes $5,096.68; out of 91 cities we are the 7th most indebted.
Yet the Council wants to spend more. Due to voter apathy and/or ignorance/inattention, only 37% of the electorate voted regarding the Community Plan. Because of the get-out-the-vote of the vested interests that feed off the largesse of the City, 62% of that 37% (approximately 20% of total residents) approved the Community Plan. As an aside, the City lied to all of us when it wrote that the Community Plan was not a blueprint for development or a redistricting/rezoning plan.
Here’s an excerpt from the FY 2014-15 Proposed Budget: “Amend the Land Development Code (LDC) to align with the Sedona Community Plan. Arizona State Law requires zoning be consistent with the adopted Community Plan. It is important that the City’s Land Development Code include appropriate zones, standards, enabling provisions and review processes to ensure that the Plan recommendations can be implemented” (p.5). (This quote references the development of the Brewer Rd., Cultural Park, and Soldiers Pass Community Focus Areas.)
Now the Council is trying to pull a fast one again. Instead of scheduling the Home Rule vote for November, when most of our residents are in town, the members decided to do it in August, when snowbirds are out of state and locals are also on vacation. They figure the less people who are here in town, the less people will vote and the better their odds of getting Home Rule renewed.
According to their own proposed resolution 2014-05, the Council is breaking the spirit – if not the letter – of the law:…“WHEREAS to comply with Arizona State Constitution Article IX 20, Home Rule must be placed on the ballot during the election of the Mayor and City Council members, and WHEREAS, under Arizona’s Consolidated Election Law all elections for City Mayor and Council must be held in the fall…”
So I called the Yavapai Elections Commission, where the director told me how the Council can liberally (mis)interpret the laws to do an end run around us resident voters. Though August is obviously in the summer, elections in this month are considered to be a part of the fall election cycle. Though only a primary that normally wouldn’t elect a Mayor or Council members, such a primary might just do that if someone is running unopposed. I didn’t buy this argument, because nobody is officially elected until votes are cast in November.
So if our State Attorney General was on the ball, he might not interpret these laws so liberally. The end result is that some voters will be inadvertently disenfranchised unless they are prescient enough to get absentee ballots now. Some won’t because they have already left town, or they don’t’ know about the election. Have you read an article in the Sedona Red Rock News, about the election with the heads-up that snowbirds should pick up absentee ballots?
The City is playing fast and loose with facts in its smoke-and-mirrors game to confuse – if not deceive – the public. According to the City’s 2012 fact sheet on Home Rule we were voting for a FY 2014-15 budget of $32,470,495, but now the City’s proposed budget for that year is $36,956,944. A four-million- dollar increase that the Council is hoping we won’t notice. It has also ratcheted up the FY 2015-16 budget from $33,396,098 to $34,483,147…which I’m sure will be much higher by the time it’s proposed.
Sedona wastewater treatment pond
They are also playing fast and loose with Wastewater (WW) fees. They say they are only increasing WW fees 4% a year for the next 6 years. They fail to mention this year’s across-the-board adjustments: 10% and 23% increases in residential and most businesses/schools respectively save a 27% decrease for restaurants. The Council is presumptuous enough to have included these WW fee increases/revenues in the FY 2014-15 budget, even though the final public meeting on these rates has yet to occur (on May 27). That tells you how much they value/neglect your input. (In case you haven’t figured it out…all public input is a sham, because they have already decided the appropriate policies to implement their pro-growth agenda on the backs of us residents.)
The reason for the WW increases is that the City is reneging on a long-ago agreement with voters that the City would subsidize the WW plant by 46%…until a few years ago when it went down to 40%. Sometime last year it was reduced to 35% and will be further reduced to 30% this July, to 25% in July 2017 and to 20% in July 2019. So what are they going to do with this extra money in the General Fund? Pay down our debt? Fix the storm and drainage problem, even though they keep paying lip service to this need? No, these are low priorities. The monies will go to implement the Community Plan, e.g. the aforementioned CFAs, and to enrich the Chamber of Commerce. In the proposed FY 2014-15 budget the Chamber will receive $1,248,500 – $275,000 for the Visitor Center and $973,500 for destination marketing. More than double than last year’s, this subsidy represents the largest single increase in the budget.
This lengthy commentary is intended to be informative, so you can more consciously decide about Home Rule. Obviously I’m against it. The City is taking from (some might say “extorting”) many of us (resident taxpayers) to give to the few (vested interests like the tourist and construction industries). The only way we residents can stop this exorbitant fiscal spending and prevent ourselves from going further in debt is to vote against Home Rule.
So if you’re a snowbird, get an absentee ballot. If you’re staying here, vote early and/or don’t go on vacation during the week of August 26. Stop Sedona’s 1% from defrauding the rest of us!
Henry Twombly
350 Arroyo Pinon Dr.
Sedona, AZ 86336
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
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@Henry Twombly
Well written, we need to expose all the City of Sedona’s gifts to connected special interests.
Tell your fellow Voters
NO ON ALTERNATIVE EXPENDITURE LIMITATION/HOME RULE
Thank You.
As economists will tell you, as a city’s budget increases so do future taxes and fees.
Increased WW fees are only the beginning. Paraphrasing the City Manager in his 4/22/2014 MEMO to Council concerning the proposed Budget: In three year’s time there will be no reserves left to fund [non-WW] capital projects.
So what’s been going on under Home Rule?
(1) No maintenance of reserves to ensure long-term financial stability.
(2) Underinvestment in infrastructure such as roads and drainage.
(3) Bonded indebtedness not in line with cities of the same population.
(4) Favoritism towards vested interests and the well-connected.
(5) Promotion of a cozy relationship with the [regional] Chamber of Commerce.
(6) Too much latitude given the bloated, highly-paid City staff.
(7) Increased traffic problems/air pollution/density.
(8) Spending, spending, spending.
Meanwhile, median household income in the U.S. has dropped for five years in a row, non-tourist businesses in town are struggling financially, and commercial vacancies abound.
A “NO” vote on Home Rule is appropriate.
am appreciative of contributions offered. keep up the letters & keep involved locally. apathetic voters drag us all down
Sedona’s population is 10,000. Sedona’s Median age is 56, Sedona’s household demographic of occupied homes are 4,973.
Sedona City has a budget of $33,500,000.00. Seriously?!?!?!
Somehow I don’t think the 56 year old and older age demographic is going to the Splash Park (and, how much sense does that make when Arizona is experiencing a Severe Drought?). Certainly those that are 56 and older who have family that visit don’t want their families taxed to death by sales taxes and bed taxes when they dine out, shop or rent a hotel room.
I could think of a lot of things other than paying taxes to a corrupt city government to do with my money. Have you seen how the city has a few people they pay out millions to?
sedona disincorporation website has a ton of information with documents to back up and links to the sedona city website to back up their back up.
I see a lot of families with young children utilizing Sunset Park .. I think a splash park is something that will serve Sedona Residents well!!
As far as taxes go, I Can’t believe I don’t pay property taxes here except for Fire And School tax.. That’s unbelievable to me since my property taxes back East were upwards of 9k a year.. Here there around 1600.. WOW..
Can’t understand people complaining about taxes here. In my experience the Sedona city government is operating well and don’t understand the hatred toward them on this site..
Oh well I guess if you are always looking for something to find fault in I guess you will
I just looked at the website someone referenced above….Seems to me much to do about about nothing. Quite frankly between the pictures there and the information on it it appears to be the rantings of a jealous man or women..
Anyway enjoy your day in beautiful Sedona
Also want to say thank giddiness for the first responders operating at the Slide Rock fire..
Hope they remain safe
In my opinion this is a well structured, comprehensive submission from Henry Twombly. The problem is complacent residents of Sedona remain with a ho-hum attitude. Instead of being proactive their silence will continue to facilitate covert activities of City Hall. At some future time another uprising such as happened relating to city ownership of 89A WILL occur which resulted in Initiative and Referendum ballot issues.
In the meantime, voter apathy will continue to feed the current manipulative but successful trend at City Hall. The small pack attempting to hi-jack this web site based on what appears to be a personal feud having to do with a grudge about a previous Fire Board election will attempt to divert attention from the real issues at hand.
What is being overlooked is that none of the people in charge have the final say. No matter how much money the city-financed regional Chamber of Commerce used in promoting visitors to come to Sedona, the raging fire in Oak Creek Canyon has put the kibosh on what might have otherwise been a profitable economical weekend even without any money having been spent by the City or Chamber to promote Sedona.
Headlines of “Fire in Sedona Area; SR 89A Closed Through Oak Creek Canyon” has taken center stage. Conniving cheats do NOT always have the final say.
Funny that city employees are trying to hyjack this website.
Read the community plan only 3% of the entire population are youngers. There are NO families in Sedona. 3% of the population. Don’t know what drugs you’re on. I only see construction workers using the bathroom there and a few old ladies walking their dogs. I live close by.
We can see through your posts. Go do your job at city hall. You my beautiful Sedona city employee are transparent as hell.
Now try not to go off the deep end and rant, transparency is not needed anymore. Have a beautiful Sedona day, when you get off work go have a beautiful VOC day.
Agenda 21
Thank you @Henry Twombly. GREAT article. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Not sure what the angry posts above are all about.. Take a walk over to Sunset Park one day.. You’ll see family’s and young children very frequently.. Also see young family’s walking around the neighbor hood.. FYI..
@Tricking the Fools
I think that when you say, “I don’t think” hits the nail on the head!
First off, I do agree that there are not crowds of kids in Sedona. But, there are a still a good amount of children. Not to mention that many of us have grand children that come to visit.
No where in the proposal did any responsible person call that project a “splash park”. That was a term started only on this web site. It’s built for small kids to have some fun.
I do think that building it was a mistake because the water isn’t recycled. It’s certainly no reason to use it as an example to vote down Home Rule.
For all you anonymous posters, unless you post a REAL name, your posts have little value. You may as well declare you work for the city or chamber of commerce.
As a major attraction in Sedona is Oak Creek, it is all natural, free, and does not waste any water, why would we NEED a splash park?
If we needed a splash park why would the city not recycle the water? Poor decisions are the hallmark of wasteful government.
Looks to me like they just wanted to make sure they spent all the money they could.
No on home rule will limit their spending. Maybe they could pay off some of the debt or lower our sales tax and sewer fees.
VOTE NO ON HOME RULE, TELL YOUR FELLOW VOTERS !!!
Hello Arizona editors,
Most Americans don’t understand economics. This American does and if you do not or think you do pay attention again by watching! It’s as true today as when he said it!
http://www.upworthy.com/a-news-anchor-completely-lost-it-im-really-glad-he-did?g=3&c=ufb1
Thank you. Urz Shah, Socal visitor
Sedona’s demographics of small children are as follows:
<5 years of age: 301 (divided by 10031 total population = 3%)
5-9 years of age: 271 (divided by 10031 total population = 2.7%)
10-14 years of age: 378 (divided by 10031 total population = 3.7%)
The Splash Pad isn't very age appropriate for 10-14 year olds.
@Long Time Resident
You think 3% qualifies as a "good amount"? And as you stated, "building it was a mistake because the water isn’t recycled". Williams, Az is running out of water and declaring a Water Crisis, and Flagstaff isn't far behind. The Oak Creek Canyon is burning out of control. Meanwhile, Sedona feels that it can just throw water at the ground only to have it run down the drain.
Bring your grandkids to Sedona. What's the draw? Oh yeah, NATURE and OAK CREEK.
@ Loving Sedona
I stopped by Sunset Park yesterday afternoon, there were ZERO families or children playing at the park or walking around with or without dogs. There were however, two Median aged people playing tennis.
Wasteful spending proven time and time again is totally sufficient for justifying a NO VOTE on HOME RULE.
Tricking the fools
Ok you proved my point that’s a thousand kids who will enjoy the park!!
As far as no kids yesterday, might I suggest you get out more..
@ Long Time Resident
You claim “No where in the proposal did any responsible person call that project a “splash park”.
Feel free to take a hike…. over to the park and view the giant board hanging on the fence. “Sunset Park Splashpad” Project. Project amount: $269,188.10.
You say: “I do think that building it was a mistake because the water isn’t recycled.”
Smoke is currently billowing out of Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona is just going to flush perfectly good water down the drain, gallons after gallons, all the while increasing the sewer taxes for the 4,973 occupied homes?
And you don’t think that is justification for voting NO on Home Rule to cease wasteful spending and perpetual bad decisions?
@ Loving Sedona
Perhaps you need to go to remedial math classes. It is LESS than 1,000 children in the provided three demographic statistics aged 0 to 14 years old.
The park is not age appropriate for most of the 0-5 aged children and certainly not the 10-14 aged children. (Unless they are offspring related to you and are intellectually stunted beneath their age group).
Even if you are correct…. and all 950 children attend the park (even those in the 0-5 age group who aren’t crawling or moving on their own and the 10-14 year olds who have outgrown the park play-dates) ….. there are 365 days in the year, so what? 2.6 children per day is justification for flushing gallons and gallons of water down the tank? When Arizona is experiencing a Severe Drought?
Seriously people, the only sensible vote is NO for HOME RULE.
Time to curb the “spend it all so we have to ask for more” mentality. It’s not their money, it’s yours.
If you want a splash pad put a sprinkler on in the front yard.
@Tony Marian Tonsich
Did you read what you wrote?
Since when is a Splash PARK the same as a Splash PAD.
For someone who’s so focused on details, when it suits you, one would think that you would know the difference.
You’re splitting the hair of a Splash Pad at a Park? Really? All the stats and figures and that is what you hone in on? Is that because that is all you’ve got? Have you no stats or facts to present?
You think everyone is this Tony? Seems that Tony writes under his own name. Time to up the paranoia meds dosage. I hear menopause makes you crazy.
Awww, does that make you mad? You going to start childish name calling? I’m rubber and you’re glue, or…. I know you are but what am I?
Why on Earth would anyone find you credible?
Time to put on your black Nikes, drink some grape koolaid and wait for Hailey’s Comet to come carry you home. Maybe you are the reason there is a warning label on the blow dryer advising not to use it while showering or in the tub.
There is a saying that goes, better to let people think you are an idiot rather than open your mouth and prove it. You should consider that.
No need to put a sprinkler on the lawn. The children of Sedona will now have a splash pad to cool off under this Summer.. Thank you Sedona.. btw how do you know what’s age appropriate for a splash pad.. Don’t know you , but based on the hatred you seem to carry, it’s been many many many years that would have any dealing with that age group.
Once again, I will suggest we the people, take a page from some other states rules and implement a simple voting regulation, RE:
If at least 51% of registered voters who voted in the previous general election do not vote in any special election or budgetary election of any type, the election is not validated.
This prevents voting manipulation such as Mr. Twombly suggests is being attempted here in Sedona.
Not a super majority just a simple 51% of voters who are involved enough and who care enough to go and vote.
Just a simple thought from a simple guy.
@Long Time Resident
How about a big heaping slice of Crow-Pie.
Do you recall saying: “No where in the proposal did any responsible person call that project a “splash park”. Scroll up, if you require a refresher.
If you haven’t seen the latest, here’s a link:
https://sedonaeye.com/sedona-water-park-project-underway/comment-page-1#comment-43078
oh, and by the way, not everyone is your phantom “tony”, there are other people out there.
oooh, burn!
@long time resident, betcha that one is gonna leave a mark!
No vote on Home Rule, seems more believable day by day.
Wait a minute.
Didn’t the mayor say that the people who showed up for smart meters meetings at city hall didn’t represent the community? Didn’t the council say that the number of residents opting out AND attending meetings still didn’t send a message to them?
But a few kids that weren’t even asked, who cannot even drive, whose parents aren’t even all city taxpayers, whose parents probably work during the day, get hundreds of thousands of city dollars spent on them AND thousands of gallons of priceless water dumped without recycling without a blink of a fiscal or responsible eye?
the splash park will be running from June to September…..
3 months usage this year, to the tune of $269,188.10.00 to build, not including water and sewage fees.
Maybe it’s because I graduated from a public school, but I can’t help but think that it’d been cheaper to rent a bounce house and/or water slide/jumper for the three months for as many kids are in the target age group.