You ask why should those of us in Coconino County be assessed for flood control when “our” county property taxes have already provided $6 million to city coffers. Seems it works like this.

Something like robbing Peter to pay Paul except in this case it’s take from legitimate funds to pay for the wish list of others including #1 recipient more and more to the Chamber of Corruption as it’s become rightfully recognized by others who have made comments.

My suggestion is that we look into a way to remove the Coconino portion of this poor excuse of a city and return to Coconino County jurisdiction. That would be assurance to relocate the Chamber of Corruption visitors center to West Sedona where it rightfully should have been in the first place. Maybe they could take “our” $6 million flood control dollars and buy the vacant land at the “rear” of City Hall and name the new C of C establishment after Jennifer Wesselhoof to match the legacy of the future Rob Adams Creek Walk. Oops, that too must be relocated since the choice locations are also in Coconino County.

I wish to remind property owners living in Coconino County that we are already paying Secondary Property Taxes for flood control (Ref: FLOOD CONTROL DIST on your tax bill). If I understand it correctly, City Hall has approximately $6 million in funds in its coffers from Coconino County for this very purpose. Why should we be assessed for flood control by the City of Sedona in addition? I don’t understand this.

(1) In Sedona there are 2,275 registered city businesses. According to the Chamber’s website there are 92 Chamber members under accommodations or lodging. Of that 92 only 30 are registered with the city of Sedona as a business. Four of the 30 are timeshares and/or vacation rentals. Translation: only 28% of the Chamber’s lodging group will be collecting increased taxes for the benefit of all 92 in that category.

(2) After removing the four timeshares and/or vacation rentals, there are only 26 out of the 2,275 city licensed lodging businesses equaling a mere 1.14% who will actively be collecting the increased taxes. Translation: Increased bed tax will amount to a free ride for this special group of 66 lodging businesses that do not contribute one cent to the tax base.

Sedona is the golden goose for NON CITY businesses as Sedona City Businesses have to bear the burden. Say no to wrap around tax that goes back to Chamber. The Sedona Chamber of Commerce does not represent 100% Sedona City Businesses. Only 27% of their membership are licensed city businesses.Let your City Council know. Vote “NO” on any sales or bed tax!

(1) City Council Special Meeting 7/30/13 @ 3:00 PM

(2) City Council Special Meeting 7/31/13 @ 3:00 PM

DETAILED AGENDAS AS OF THIS DATE (5/25/13) ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE ON LINE

But, as a reminder from the above article:

Tuesday July 30th will be a presentation relating to legitimate methods of increasing taxes. A sales tax increase will apply to EVERYONE; other tax increases such as PROPERTY TAX, SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, AND/OR GOVERNMENT BONDS WILL APPLY ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF SEDONA. Importance of this becomes increasingly augmented as non-tax paying entities, both businesses and individuals outside City Limits, are becoming more vocal relating to demands on City of Sedona operations. (for example: financing for art events including but not limited to art in public places and an art museum as well as outdoor performance venues)

Wednesday July 31st the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Lodging Council will again present their cases for both sales and bed tax increases requesting a substantial kick-back to be used at their own discretion for Destination Marketing. If granted, this, too, would allow businesses outside Sedona City Limits, those who will not be required to assess city taxes, the benefit of advertising via usage of City of Sedona public money. How so? Simply because it is the responsibility of the Chamber of Commerce to represent their MEMBERS, many of whom are situated in Sedona-Tax-Free-Areas. But of course this is old news.

ATTENTION TO ALL CONNECTED TO THE SEDONA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: Do not be fooled by the action taken at the City Council Meeting on July 23rd to defer the rate increase proposed for the end of this month.

9. REGULAR BUSINESS

a. AB 1615 Discussion/possible action on service contracts with the Sedona Public Library, Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Services, Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau, Sedona Main Street Program, Sedona Community Center, Sedona Recycles, Sedona Humane Society and the Valley of the Sun YMCA.”

Quoting Jennifer Wesselhoff in her article RRN 7/19/13: “One thing that most of us agree on is that the city’s $220,000 marketing investment . . . which comes from the $1.5 million generated by the 3 percent bed tax . . . is not enough to market Sedona, especially when we are highly reliant on tourism as our only economic engine.”

Are you among the “most of us” who agree with that? Better let members of city council know pretty darn quick if you disagree. Otherwise increased funding to this special interest trilogy (Chamber of Commerce, C of C Tourism Bureau, and Lodging Council) is a done deal. And do not forget the proposed tax increase by the Big Three which will go to council vote on July 31.

Wednesday, July 31, 11:00 AM, “Wet Wednesday” (City Web Site Schedule of Meetings)

Is this an indication of just exactly what type of information the City Council feels it’s important to convey to the public? “Wet Wednesday” but two meetings relating to potential tax increases aren’t essential criteria. Oh sure, no doubt “they” will publish these meetings at the appropriate “legal” time. So what?

It’s amazing the absolute disrespect this city council has for the residents of Sedona other than those who slosh in the pool or want to spend more money for luxuries like art work and picknick tables for duck ponds and land for parks to accommodate the likes of that Segner fellow who will give city his driveway if they buy the corner “Y” property and also a portion of the old Forest Service property to serve HIS purpose.

All this wasted money when in fact NOTHING should be spent until the money coming in, without adding any new taxes, is properly set aside to correct the drainage problem. That should be number one, end of report.

To continue bilking those connected to the sewer and now even considering charging those who were bybassed to pay a user-fee for a service that is unavailable to them (is that even legal) continues to add insult to injury when we have a city council who cannot say “no” the the C of C, a discriminating special interest group who’s only obligation is to serve their own membership, in city limits or outside.

Unless and until this city council takes charge and corrects the drainage problem, largely created by faulty engineering design on new developments, they should cease and desist even thinking about proceeding to give Segner and his lodging and chamber of commerce “dignitaries” more funds for advertising or anything else. Number one priority should be to clean up their own act.

STUNNING MANIPULATION is out in the open. City Council: either knock it off or step down. All of you.