Home » City Council, Community » Sedona Mayor Asks Yes Vote on Home Rule

Sedona Mayor Asks Yes Vote on Home Rule

Sedona AZ (February 8, 2012) Sedona Mayor Rob Adams is running unopposed for his office in the March 13, 2012 election. The Mayor is in favor of Home Rule. He writes the following solicitation and opinion:

On March 13, 2012, Sedona residents will be asked to vote on a critical issue concerning local control of our budgetary management. The ballot proposition will provide the voters a choice between Home Rule or a State Imposed Expenditure limit.

So what is the difference between Home Rule and the State Imposed Expenditure Limit (SIEL)?

The State Imposed Expenditure Limit sets a cap on city expenditures every year. This cap is set without any assessment of the city’s need to address major capital needs, public safety issues and operational or emergency needs. While the SIEL controls the amount of funds to be spent, it does not limit the amount of revenue received – which may result in the City’s inability to expend funds despite sufficient revenue to support a higher level of operation.

As an example of how the State Expenditure Limit works, let’s assume that the City has $10,000,000 in revenue and the state expenditure limit is $9,500,000.  This means that the City could not use the additional $500,000.  Under Home Rule, the City Council could use all or a portion of the funds for needed capital improvements or other City priorities.

Mayor Rob Adams

Facts about the City’s Financial Condition:

  • Since 1996, the City has accumulated savings for any adverse future economic circumstances and other unexpected emergencies. Despite the economic downturn in 2008, the City’s operating savings account is in excess of $12 million and reserve savings for all funds are more than $30 million.
  • For each of the past twelve years, the City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
  • The City has continued its commitment to NOT levy any property taxes for City operations.
  • The City Council and staff have taken decisive and proactive measures to reduce expenditures in the City.  Overall expenditures have been reduced significantly over the last three years.
  • The City Council and staff have continued focus on sound financial management with the development of new accounting and budget systems, the creation of a citizen Budget Oversight Commission, updated fund balance policies and long-term capital improvement and wastewater financial plans. 

Home Rule allows local city control of its budget:

  • Approval of Home Rule means that the City will be able to access all of its sales and bed tax revenues in order to address critical capital improvements such as storm water management, sewer services, sidewalk construction and other infrastructure needs.
  • Approval of Home Rule allows the City the financial flexibility to budget funding for the Library, police protection, the Community Center, the Humane Society, arts organizations and other service organizations.

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 420.  The City has operated under the Home Rule for the last 16 years and has a proven record of fiscal conservatism.

This article was written by City of Sedona Mayor Rob Adams with the following disclaimer: The views that I am expressing are my personal opinions and not necessarily the opinion or position of the City of Sedona or the City Council. The article is submitted by the City of Sedona.

For the best in Sedona news and views, read SedonaEye.com daily! Reach 3000+ subscribers with your ads and articles!

5 Comments

  1. Chris says:

    he can politic on the city dime????? okay i get that the city and the council want to keep the power BUT what Rob Adams doesn’t want us to know is that it will hurt us in the long run!!! if the city is so great being fiscally conservative then the city should applaud the state spending limits. VOTE NO to home rule!!!! tell the council that we are taking back the keys to the strongbox & we will control the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they need a watchdog and it is us!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE NO NO NO!!!

  2. John says:

    Just received the voter information pamphlet and there aren’t any letters in support of the Home Rule. And there’s only one opposing it. This is interesting. Wonder if the current greed to collect $250 to have a letter printed has anything to do with it?

    With all the talk about City intending to invest in land for affordable housing, more parks, and even a rumored push to buy the Cultural Park I would vote against giving them this continued business as usual even without the letter from a Warren Woodward.

    Since when has it been legal for a city to invest in property without the vote of the people. I understand a very questionable deal was maneuvered which managed to swing the purchase of the present city hall which bypassed allowing it to be voted on, but it wasn’t without a lot of raised eyebrows and unanswered question.

    Same as Chris, I say vote NO, NO, NO on Prop. 420.

  3. Warren says:

    Dittos to Chris & John.

    Additionally, if City finances were in the great shape claimed by Council and staff then how come our already highest-in-the-region sewer fee has been increased and is scheduled to increase yearly, ultimately douubling? How come businesses have to pay new “licensing fees”? How come there are now “court costs”? How come I had to pay $250 to get an opinion in the Voters Guide when it used to be free, part of living in a democracy?

    I predicted increased and new taxes before the last election. Since the City cannot stop wasting money, it was an easy prediction to make.

    Here’s another easy prediction. Vote NO on Prop. 420 or expect even more new and increased taxes in the future, no matter who is elected to Council.

  4. Jean says:

    Obviously, the vast majority of citizens do not have the undemocratic $250 fee required to put an Argument in the Voter Information Pamphlet. Here is SEDONA EYE columnist Eddie Maddock’s Argument “Against” Home Rule of four years ago when it was free. The story has changed a little. For example, during these devastating economic times, Sedona residents and businesses are being used to generate revenue via the institution of several new fees.

    HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT:

    Lack of funds to maintain city streets? Lack of funds to correct drainage issues? Lack of funds to complete the sewer?

    ARE YOU HAPPY WITH:

    The city’s proposal to purchase land for “affordable” housing? (They failed to implement requirements for new hospitality developments to assist with this problem.)

    The city’s proposal to finance additional parking facilities (lots and/or structures)? The city’s proposal to build sidewalks even though our public streets are crumbling?

    DOES IT PLEASE YOU THAT THE CITY:

    Blocked entrance at the traffic light Uptown to the area where Los Abrigados Lodge is located, thus violating city code parking requirements? Has inadequate signage to identify existing parking areas? Is spending thousands of dollars on shuttle buses, which are generally void of occupants?

    Quoting from City of Sedona Council Agenda Communication, July 24, 2007, “There are appproximately over $2 million in repairs to the (City Hall) complex.” Purchase of that facility less than than 10 years ago was highly controversial and has proven to be overpriced and poorly built. Thousands of dollars have already been spent and the ongoing trend appears endless. Do you find this troubling?

    If the tourist trade dries up during the completion of SR 179, are you prepared to pay for your piece of the pie? (Currently approximately as a $94 million debt and growing.)

    WHEN SEDONA INCORPORATED, a pledge was made that there would be NO City Property Taxes. Rumbles keep surfacing that we “residents” aren’t paying our fair share (for what?).

    ARE YOU WILLING to send a message to restrict city spending to necessities? It’s your decision. A “NO” vote now doesn’t mean limiting expenditures forever. The issue will return to the ballot in another four years, affording the opportunity to again “FREE ‘EM UP TO RUN AMOK” should that be your choice.

  5. Eddie S. Maddock says:

    Hey, Jean, thanks for the reminder about my letter which appeared four years ago. Another indication that time flies whether one is having fun or not?

    Let us just hope that indications reflected by recent comments continue to point in the direction of history not repeating itself.

    Eddie Maddock

Leave a Reply

Copyright © 2008-2017 · Sedona Eye · All Rights Reserved · Posts · Comments · Facebook · Twitter ·