Sedona AZ (January 30, 2011) – In a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor, Karen Chamberlain of Cornville, Arizona, writes:
Beth Larsen brings up a very good point/reminder regarding the City’s privilege tax rate or City sales tax which would be applicable to VSF if we were annexed. This got me thinking.
If VSF (community of Verde Sante Fe in Cornville AZ) was annexed into the City (Cottonwood AZ) would this mean that the various bills I currently pay that now show” zero” for the line item “City sales tax” or some such similar wording would no longer be zero but some amount added to my bill?
For example, just take a look at your APS (electric) bill. There is a line item for “City sales tax” which is currently zero. Would this change to something non-zero if we were annexed? This is just one bill. Of course, one of the biggest impacts will be on your annual property tax bill. All the line items for Yavapai County will remain and the line item for the VV Fire District may be eliminated.
The question is how many new line items will appear with the word “City” and what will be the amounts? Many city taxes/fees/charges are not easily apparent until you actually receive a bill and there are line items for the City collecting some amount in taxes or fees for a variety of things.
The City provides water to VSF. Take a look at that bill. Every month, each customer pays Superfund tax, state tax, county tax and utility tax. If we were annexed would there be an additional line item for “City tax?”
These are just several examples. Additionally, being part of the City does not necessarily mean that any future road improvements done within VSF will not be paid for with a special assessment tax levied only on VSF homeowners (this was touched on in a previous e-mail).
I think one thing is for certain. If we are annexed into Cottonwood, we will see line items on our various bills and transactions for the City to collect some type of tax or fee that was previously not there or zero.
I would like to know who or what reactivated this annexation proposal and why?
Karen Chamberlain Cornville Resident
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We moved to Cornville for the Tee-Shirts and more.
My wife and I moved to Cornville so I could wear my favorite long sleeve tee-shirt, purchased at the Grasshopper Grill, with the message “WHERE IN THE HELL IS CORNVILLE?”
After many visits to the area for the mountain biking my wife and I moved to Cornville because it was close to the things we like doing, had the convenience of shopping for daily staples and it reminded me of my boyhood home town of Nyssa, Oregon which consisted of businesses, farmers and ranchers. We felt confident that the rural community of Cornville would have the small community values we were seeking. We were also very pleased to be close to Cottonwood and the services they provide all families in the area.
My wife and I are aware of the expression “there is no such thing as a free lunch” and knew that Cornville provided us with the services we could afford. We felt comfortable with the presence of the County Sheriff and an occasional DPS car in our area. The Verde Valley Fire District satisfied our fire protection needs in terms of affordability and response time. This summer while I was traveling, the Verde Valley Fire District helped my wife try to locate a snake she suspected was in our garage which was greatly appreciated.
I wonder if the Cottonwood residents are concerned with the thought of more people moving into their community …………or should they be asking themselves “will this be another burden on the city of Cottonwood and will it open the door for higher taxes, fees, etc.? One thing is for sure, both Cornville and Cottonwood have residents who know what they want, and I’m sure will let their voices be heard.
I am a passionate, opinionated, stubborn, goal driven individual who has always been able to work with people of differing opinions if they share common goals. I was a very angry resident when I became aware of how much litter is tossed onto our highways. Supervisor Davis is a cyclist as am I; my rides between Cottonwood and Sedona on Scenic Highway 89A were unpleasant due to the trash on the highway; a disgrace!
In regards to the Verde Independent editorial I wrote on January 21, 2011 titled “Is the Cornville Community Association Cornville’s voice?” I would like the Cornville Community Association and its President Deanna King plus Supervisor Chip Davis to know that I am and have always been willing to meet with them, but they have always been unavailable. I will always oppose leaders who are mute to issues important to me or the members of my community. I’m inviting both of these individuals to meet–how about Cornville’s Grasshopper Grill, Dutch treat? I believe we have more in common than not, but unless we have dialog, we’ll never know. Resolving our issues strengthens us as individuals and our combined efforts to see that Verde Santa Fe remains in Cornville.
The residents in the entire Verde Valley should know that “Folksville USA Anti-Litter Movement” isn’t political. It has been gaining and received national attention due to the efforts of our fifteen ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Permittee’s plus many local and out-of-state businesses and residents. Our weakest link is possibly me, and I do plan on reading “How to win friends and influence people” at some time. Participants of Folksville USA have shown that we can leave our politics at home and work on a common goal which benefits every resident and community. Our mission is to restore the beauty to America the Beautiful, so how political is that? Will you assist us in our effort? We need help in many areas to include some strong leaders, and someone to replace the current and sometimes grumpy Mayor of Folksville USA.
Thank you for seriously considering the content of this editorial and forgiving my imperfections. On a personal note, I have had three businesses in my life and nothing ever sucked the energy out of me more than trying to resolve the social problems associated with littering. If those who litter thought about it, they disgrace themselves, their families, our communities and our country.
The efforts of the “Original Road Warriors” was to establish the virtual town of “Folksville USA” so all communities could be part of what we were trying to do. Those who litter consume our tax dollars, our time and our energy due to their selfish bad habits. With their littering activities, they possibly affect new businesses or families moving to our area, our house values and simply, they affect our economy.
The idea of Folksville USA was conceived in Cornville. The hope was to share this simple idea with all communities so that we all benefit.
If you have an issue with the problems of others, then bring a solution to support your argument.
Gary Chamberlain
Cornville Resident
Editor Folksville USA News
Mayor of Folksville USA
Karen Chamberlain lists taxes that will increase if VSF is annexed into Cottonwood but she fails to mention the decrease in property taxes for the Verde Valley Fire District. I have done some research on the taxes issue and the city tax is 1% on utilities and 3% on telecommunications. Looking at my personnel bills I would pay less in city taxes that I do now for the Verde Valley Fire District assessment.
It is not clear to me where she came up with the claim that road repair may require a special assessment on VSF residents. At the meeting with the on annexation the city clearly stated that maintenance of the roads in VSF that are county owned would be the city responsibility and there was no mention of a special assessment. The same may not be true of the roads in the gated communities which are currently the responsibility of the individual HOAs.
Finally she asks who reactivated this issue and why. I don’t think it matters who but the why is important. VSF is not a rural community like most of Cornville, we are a subdivision. Most lots in VSF are about 10,000 sq ft much like most of Cottonwood. We also must face the fact that the land on the other side of Cornville road is now part of Cottonwood. If we are part of Cottonwood I believe we will have a greater say in how that land is developed.
I think it is important to get the sense of all the homeowners on the issue not just the opinion of the vocal few who have spoken out on both sides of the issue. Finally it will be necessary to get the facts in front of the homeowners so they can make informed decisions on supporting annexation or not.