Sedona Arizona
Sedona AZ (September 22, 2016) – With the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 1350, which now prohibits cities and towns from banning the use of single family residences for short term vacation rentals, the city of Sedona’s Community Development Department encourages those interested in renting their property as a short term rental to contact the Community Development Department to discuss the state regulation and city policies the property owner will need to follow.
Since 1995, the rental of single family homes for periods of less than 30 days has been prohibited within the Sedona city limits. However, during the 2016 state legislative session, SB 1350 was introduced with the intent of streamlining the collection and distribution of transaction privilege taxes for online booking agencies like Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) that market short term vacation rental properties. As the bill progressed, an amendment was offered by Senator Debbie Lesko that would prevent cities and towns from having local ordinances that don’t allow the use of single-family residences for short term vacation rentals.
On May 12, 2016, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed SB 1350 into law, making it Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S) 9-500.39, which will go into effect December 31, 2016. Thus, because the city’s ban on short term rentals is no longer valid, the city is developing policies around the licensing, registration of an emergency contact, collection of taxes, etc. on properties permitted to operate under the provisions of A.R.S. 9-500.39.
However, something that is important for residents to know is what constitutes as a short term rental. It is defined as an individually or collectively owned single-family home or up-to-four unit home, a condominium or cooperative/timeshare. For example, these are not allowed to be short term rentals:
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on file with the city of Sedona, which have full kitchens, and must be rented for 90 days or more
- Guest houses which don’t include full kitchens
- Apartments, unless properly zoned for lodging use
- Any of the above which are illegally constructed and unpermitted through the city of Sedona.
Article submitted by City of Sedona AZ
“We want to be proactive and make sure residents understand the ins and outs of how this law affects our community. We are developing policies around this law to ensure compatibility, safety of our residents and the collection of revenue,” said Warren Campbell, assistant director of community development, city of Sedona.
Those who are considering renting their property within the city of Sedona as a short term rental, or less than 30 days, are encouraged to contact the Community Development Department at 102 Roadrunner Drive or via telephone at 928-282-1154 to discuss the state regulation and city policies by which the property will need to be compliant with.
In short, “stay tuned, and don’t presume,” said Campbell.
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
Well good luck with this one. During the debates about ADUs, at the public meetings John O’Brien, former director of community development, when asked about enforcement his response was that basically there would be no way other than neighbors blowing whistles.
Now while vacation rentals in Sedona have been illegal up to now, neighbors frequently did just that – blew the whistle and alerted city enforcement. However since these rentals are now legitimate will neighbors be so inclined to rat just so the government can nail them for taxes?
Maybe it will serve the blasted rogue/regional rip-off chamber of commerce right as long as this city continues to throw money at them for unknown reasons, meaning absolutely no transparency. Their mealy mouth attempts to deny that lack teeth with two inane women sitting before the dais pledging how much they love the city council blah, blah, blah. Their recent annual meeting touts economy as being up. Well DUH – there’s been a general upswing having no valid indication the chamber of commerce in Sedona or elsewhere had anything to do with it. It’s rancid hype about this questionable situation.
Never thought I’d be saying it but huzzah for SB 1350.
“Huzzah” for Jerry, Sedona City Limits. (love that word)
Yes indeedy, can’t wait for the council to appoint Steve Segner & Jennifer Wesselhoff as the in-city vacation rental police. Wonder what cute little uniforms they will be wearing, and how much will the city pay to the chamber pot for designing them.
Time to put “closed” signs over those that indicate “Sedona City Limits.” I long for the good old days. Life in Coconino County was far better and we even had a district Coco Sheriff’s branch uptown. Better life, better control, and no idiotic wasting of funds to the “rouge/regional” chamber. (another good one Jerry, SCL.)
Yep you are nuts City of Sedona!
Ain’t reporting anything. You should’ve thought of this before you gave the regional chamber and all the nonprofit groups money honey! Now it is us vs you. You wasted enough of our money.
too late!
Why is there an expectation that Sedona would not grow?
Sedona has miles and miles of commercial property and hundreds of available home lots.
Every one that lives in Sedona knows this, what did you just expect Sedona to stop growing the day you arrived?
If Sedona is getting to big for you then you can move, but to ask people to not build is selfish and NIMBY thinking.
According to today Red Rock News 65% of city revenue comes from visitors that make us a tourist town.
We will grow and property owners will build and all the city can do is make sure they follow the city and state codes guide lines.
Quite wining and thank the tourist for all we have.
Excuse me but can someone tell me how this really has anything to do with the Chamber???
You can blame anyone but you should all know that I have just gotten an eviction notice because my landlord is kicking me out because he became greedy and wants to rent to vacationers. My son and I both work at a well known restaurant in Sedona and can’t find any other place to live because of this new law. We’ll just have to move back to KS.
Karen, I tried to tell the people on this site what would happen, this will not have any impact on hotels, people that pay $300.00 + a night for a hotel room do not stay in other peoples homes.
This new law will kill low income housing.
We talked to the governors office and were told this is his idea.
There were no hearings and the governor would not see us.
Another T party issue.
All the government haters will love this law.
And for all the people that think Sedona is going to hell there are over 500 job openings!
And we have no place for them to live.
Steve
Please excuse the name calling interruption? There are not 500 job openings in Sedona. People are getting fired and let-go left and right. Check the resorts. Resorts cycle their help around between each other, they don’t want illegals staying too long in one place. Summer biz was bad, numbers off in July-August-early Sept. and zero days for stores that never ever had zero days in their existence!! 4 businesses folded. Uptown feeling the squeeze big time. Too much low end competition instead of diversity of products killing lots of sales – customers know to shop stores for same merchandise! It’s feeling like a chotski boardwalk!! $20 differences in same little kitsch items spells disgust for tourists & bad reputation on main street! NVM. No body listens. Go broke. Stupid is as stupid does.
Numbers can be placed to fix the outcome. That is what the city of Sedona does. The locals contribute more than they want you to know. This is allthier way to control and degrade the locals.
The chamber has stolen 16 million dollars @Karen Wells to promote their buddies outside the city limits with no checks and balances.This has made it hard for the legitimate residents and businesses to make a living. Now that vacation rentals are legal the residents will use that to make up for paying for the hotels ads when they should have invested in the city future.
Sorry to hear that you got kicked out. It has happened to us all. Now it is a code of silence. It is war, the city doesn’t care about the residents.
@WSR
AKA WhichSedonaRetardRU
Jessica, Jessica,Jessica Sedona celebrates your demise. One looser down more to come. Your next (deleted by editor). You are done. Yes to vacation rentals. Just try and stop it. Us vs them. You lose.
And just what does affordable housing mean? Years ago when the time shares were being developed and existing resorts expanded there was an effort to include employee housing within the complexes as they do in other resort areas. But oh no, not in Sedona! The developers were too greedy and wouldn’t give up the additional profit. And then when the affordable housing units became an off site option, some were provided but there were no takers. That’s true. There were no teachers or city workers that were interested.
And further, how many places are there that people can’t afford to live? Take California for instance. How many people must commute because they cannot pay the price for housing in Beverly Hills or Pacific Palisades for example? We must live within our means, but that’s a phrase not included in government vocabulary.
With the high cost of living, and it’s constantly increasing, of course those of us with homes must pay our bills and don’t have the option to over-extend our budgets. Soon our electric costs will soar and once this city of Sedona gets their hooks in us to send a monthly bill for our garbage to be picked up, more and more of us will either be forced out or in the position to consider renting our room to vacationers. And how dumb would it be to confess and defeat the purpose by willingly agreeing to pay more taxes?
Get a grip, folks. This is the real world.
The RFP deadline is the end of September so watch out for the bomb to drop about city take-over of our garbage collection in the near future. And they have the audacity to attempt to regulate short-term/vacation rentals when they become legal because of a state regulation? We legitimate residents in Sedona are being so kicked to the curb we are forced to finagle whatever means is possible or available in order to make ends meet. And then some local-yokels have the audacity to suggest the formation of a new county to include those of us in Sedona living in Coconino in order to pay for their defunct deal with Yavapai College. And City of Sedona should stay out of it. LEAVE US ALONE! We want NO PART of anything in Yavapai County including increased property taxes. Remember we are still dealing with the stupid idea of incorporating Sedona.
Thank you State of Arizona for making vacation rentals legal. And if we do get caught and must pay taxes thank goodness it will go through the state and not this city that would just turn around and give it to the crooked chamber of commerce. You all make us sick with your conniving and cheating. Go broke! Leave town and take your own garbage with you – including the C of C. Leave us alone.
Steve Segner is lying again. He says “According to today [Sept. 23rd] Red Rock News 65% of city revenue comes from visitors that make us a tourist town.”
Here’s the actual statement in the RRN (made by Jennifer W): “In fact, visitors generate 65 percent of the city’s general operating budget.” Whoa, the locals contribute far more than 35%.
As most are aware, the city’s general operating budget amounts to less than one-half of its total budget. For example, the general operating budget for FY 2016 was $18.8 Million, while the total budget was $43.3 Million.
For the past 6+ years, the lion’s share of the tourism revenue has been generated by the ongoing recovery from the 2007-2009 Great Recession, a period of general economic decline. The Chamber’s numbers have been fixed.
Steve Segner is lying again
Alarmed says:
Alarmed you sound like a kindergartner “You Steve Segner is lying again”
I am only trying to show you we are a tourist town and doing well.
I get my numbers from the city:
Hi Steve, attached is the resident vs. visitor sales tax distribution
that we did in 2014. This will show each category of tax collected and
attributes a percentage of that to locals, so anyone looking at this can
see how the numbers were determined. Hope this helps. The locals
figure is 35% to the visitors 65%. -Karen
Karen Daines Osburn
Assistant City Manager
102 Roadrunner Drive
Sedona, AZ 86336
928 203 5067
Like spiders spinning webs, that’s how that C of C operates @Alarmed. Never taking into consideration the amount being paid in taxes and franchise fees by the residents. It’s the same old story. And your point about the ongoing recovery from the ’07-’09 Great Recession – well taken. Those people don’t like to be confused with actual facts, which tend to pop their balloon(s). Let’s keep hoping this will be one fairy tale that will NOT have a happy ending – at least for the C of C and their love affair with City Hall.
The numbers are twisted from the city. Bald faced lies. They count pretty much count every business as $$$ from tourists. The businesses have no say so in their bogus numbers. I agree with you @alarmed. It was proved a few years back, they are lying.
With all due respect for Karen Daines Osburn and her response to Steve Segner, I have a question.
Since clearly, Mr. Segner, you have a direct connection with Mrs. Osburn, is it possible for you to obtain from her a clear and concise reason and explanation why the City of Sedona has refused to obtain RFP’s (Request for Proposals) on the contract with the Chamber of Commerce allegedly for destination marketing? As there is presently the sum of $2.01 million dollars budgeted for 2017, do you not feel neglecting to do so is irresponsible??
For example, this City Council and Staff most assuredly are prudent in doing due diligence on awarding contracts for projects at the wastewater treatment plant, engineering jobs relating to road construction and flood control, and even consideration of city control of collecting residential garbage based on obtaining competitive bids. Why then would they be so remiss in neglecting to do so with such an overwhelming amount at stake as $2.01 million dollars in one single year without adhering to the same procedure? If such a flimsy excuse could possibly be on the table as it’s because they are doing such a good job, how do they know that without having consulted with others that are actually professionals?
Please, Sir Segner, kindly provide a LOGICAL explanation for this extreme discrepancy in policy via your impressive connection with Mrs. Osburn. Or if that isn’t possible, perhaps it might be accomplished via Face Book exchange with Mrs. Osburn and Mrs. Wesselhoff as their intimate friendship on that site is common knowledge.
Thank you so much.
give her a call she will be happy to talk to you I can not speak for the city
John D. ,Give her a call,I am sure she would be happy to tell you why the “city council”
Approved the contract and how she over sees it.
You may be suppressed to learn but you can get all the information you want from the city just by asking.
ss
And how do you know some of us haven’t made direct contact with city staff, only to be given the run-around about how the chamber is doing such a good job there’s no need for RFP’s? The process stinks to high-heaven. Some of us were hoping that with a new city manager things might change, but no such luck. Why wouldn’t this city consider contracting directly with the professional ad agency in Phoenix? Much of that $2.01 million could obviously be spent on things such as traffic improvement, roads, drainage, etc. Otherwise it wouldn’t have been acceptable for the chamber to contribute back to the traffic study. How much in tax revenue is being lost to both city and state because of the chamber’s policy to represent only their members? Why hasn’t an accurate accounting been forthcoming from the chamber about just how many of the members are outside city limits? To be told by anyone on city staff to contact Jennifer Wesselhoff is absurd. But of course so is the notion that the chamber of commerce is a branch of city government. Poppycock is the most polite term I can think or for this abuse of power. Can’t wait to check out the uniforms to be donned by Jennifer and Steve when they canvas the subdivisions looking for unregistered vacation rentals. It might be humorous if they were arrested for trespassing. We can only hope.
Twisted lies is right on.
Here’s a list of revenue categories relating primarily to residents that the City pooh-poohs in order to speciously claim 65% of the general operating budget is from tourism.
Sewer Fees
Shared Flood Control District Funds (Yavapai and Coconino County)
Shared Vehicle License Fees (Yavapai and Coconino County)
Shared State Income Taxes
Shared State Sales Taxes
Shared Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF)
Here’s a list of the revenue categories relating primarily to residents that the City disregards in order to erroneously claim 65% of the General Fund (the City’s operating budget) comes from tourists.
Wastewater Fees
Shared Flood Control District Funds (Yavapai & Coconino County)
Shared Vehicle License Fees (Yavapai & Coconino County)
Shared Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF)
Shared State Sales Tax
Shared State Income Tax (Urban Renewal)
You sniveling ninnies that do nothing but whine and complain, wise up. The great conspiracy with the City of Sedona and the Chamber of Commerce was orchestrated from the get-go. Don’t believe it? Follow the trail offered in SE 2013 articles leading up to this pre-planned heist.
Under the leadership of Mayor Rob Adams and, of course, a supporting city council, the bed tax sailed through with one or two minor bumps in the road, the amount of rebate percentage was one. Then, during the discourse, when the subject of acquiring bids came up, the reason given for not doing so was there wasn’t enough time but after the first year of the contract it would be done. So what happened? Well, the contract was conveniently (for the Chamber) increased to three years instead of just one, which is where we are today. Just recently again renewed for another year with some bewildered reaction from Jennifer Wesselhoff and the head of the C of C Board of Directors when Councilor Martinez suggested the possibility of pursuing a RFP. Of course their feminine wiles apparently discouraged further discussion about that taboo subject, at least as it relates to the Chamber of Commerce.
There is absolutely no way of knowing just how effective this advertising scam has been in increasing tax revenue since there is no responsible accountability. Just as there was no responsible accuracy for the number of Chamber members outside city limits. When asked about that, as an example of 86336 zip code members not within Sedona boundaries, Mrs. Wesselhoff made a comment indicating it was simply too hard to come up with that figure. Really? They are unable to ascertain by looking at a map where their member businesses are located? There are many such gems reported throughout these negotiations including but not limited to Mayor Adams asking of Jennifer Wesselhoff after the deal had been consummated what she would do with the money now that she had it..
Protocol as it’s offered is the city staff works for the council, which makes sense. City Council gives staff an assignment with the instructions of just exactly what outcome they expect and there you have it. It seems very much as if the same orders have been given with regards to the city take-over of residents’ garbage pick-up. Here’s the assignment; here’s the conclusion we want. Make it happen. Period. There have actually been occasions, not many, when city councils have voted against staff recommendations which quite possibly is frustrating to them. Who knows?
At any rate, it might be considered very sad to qualify for holding top government jobs when the end result appears to be acquiescing to policies that are so blatantly scummy. If sacrificing one’s integrity, again for high pay, benefits, and early retirement are conditional unreported portions of job responsibilities, then so be it. That seems to be the way business is conducted these days but it doesn’t make it right. (My opinion)
There was at least one situation when this scheme backfired. It was the attempt to force Sedona residents to take ownership of W89A. To my recollection it was the same council members involved that came up with that bright idea which was tied in with another professional telephone survey that didn’t exact the responses for which they’d hoped. Of course Council and Staff concluded the questions asked were not properly phrased. Sound familiar, as with the same type of sordid effort to gain public support for City takeover of garbage collection?
Well Sedona had the gumption to revolt by way of a Referendum followed by an Initiative to prevent the issue from resurfacing. It’s after the fact with the Chamber deal but when the garbage bids come in at the end of this month (another week) better keep this action in mind. As “anonymous” wrote, “You sniveling ninnies that do nothing but whine and complain, wise up.” Become mad as hell, rise up, and let them know. Unlike most voter turnout, the one against City Council action to own the highway brought out around 70% voter response to my recollection. There are methods available to get their attention.
Partial quote made by City Attorney Robert Pickels, Sedona Red Rock News, 9/28/16, “New short-term rental law leads to evictions.”
City Attorney Pickels: “What we don’t know is whether or not the fact that the multi-family dwellings were not identified in the definition of the Law {SB 1350} was intentional or not, I believe the majority of the Democratic legislators who voted for this, had they known that people would likely be displaced from their homes as a result, would not have voted for it.”
Therefore those of you putting the blame on Gov. Ducey for this are pointing fingers at the wrong source. Better spend more time checking facts although it’s a bit too late at this point.
Gov. Ducey pushed this through with almost no committee meetings our public comment, now they say OPP’S….. This is how government makes bad laws.
ss
What’s interesting is how selective the term unintended consequences is applied when related to Sedona city government. They immediately attack this new state law and quite possibly rightfully so because it most definitely will have major impacts in Sedona.
Why is it that never . . . I repeat . . . NEVER has this same city government at any time questioned the excessive increase in traffic congestion since they approved the multi-million dollar advertising contract to an unqualified rogue and regional Chamber of Commerce? There has been absolutely no accountability relating to the intensity of the traffic congestion relating to the vast number of day trippers that invade Sedona almost on a daily basis. And uptown businesses continue to close due to lack of retail sales.
Following a suggestion made on this site I looked into an article dated 3/19/14 relating to unintended consequences. Other interesting city decisions are mentioned there that most assuredly didn’t have consideration for future impact. And that was way before the decision to approve Tlaquepaque North.
Criticism for state laws is unwarranted unless and until City of Sedona cleans up their own act.
The pot calling the kettle black?
I didn’t see anywhere in this law that gave the City the right to twist it for their benefit. Their approach needs to be challenged. They are making up their own law by saying you can’t use a guest house or ADU. Isn’t this discriminating against the property owners? Only in Sedona this applies. Crazy nuts.
J.Rick Normand can you and AZ Liberty help the people on this one? Thanks!
So you claim to know more than Robert Pickels, the city manager? WOW!
And I believe the term is OOPS (not opps).
Thank you @Marv for your comments. The City of Sedona and the City Council that approved the regional Chamber contract for destination marketing who exclusively marketing their own members and not the exclusive in-city businesses did not think through the unintended consequences. Nor did they inform or engage the in-city businesses in the process of gifting the regional chamber exclusive funding from the city funding for the their own visitor center and marketing. The pompous and arrogant City Councilors were not equipped or educated to make such decisions. By doing so they hurt and hinder their so called own.
They continue to make uninformed judgments and by doing so they are making these decisions that hurt the incorporated city both financially and spiritually. They want the residents to volunteer while they pay out millions to those outside the city limits. The unintended consequences are simple. They have made doing businesses in the city limits more difficult. The CC has made living in Sedona ugly. The CC have allied themselves with those outside the city limits eliminating and discarding those inside the incorporated city limits.
The state made the right decision and the city needs to learn to treat residents and businesses fairly.
Maybe Sedona is getting just what Sedona deserves. When Nepenthe was developed it was approved as “affordable” housing. Remember? And what happened? Well, it seemed to have somewhere fallen through the cracks that such designation wasn’t appropriately earmarked. And thus Nepenthe turned into perfect investments for people to buy and rent, but certainly not in the “affordable” range. (whatever that means) And now, conveniently, they too will qualify as short-term/vacation rentals.
What we legitimate Sedona residents must watch out for is this city attempting to nail us for footing the bill for city-owned affordable housing. We’re already paying for performing arts to the Red Earth Theatre. Once they declare Sedona a Sanctuary City then soon to follow will be a row of those cute little houses becoming so popular with some – namely Mayor Moriarty who mentioned at a recent council meeting she would like to see a row of them in Sedona. Dells property maybe? Or actually within City Limits? Wherever. Watch out as they re-work land usage. None of us are safe. Based on past activities their agendas are designed behind closed doors. Follow the trail to the Chamber contract. And now most recently the ongoing plot to approve city takeover of our garbage collection. How much can they designate in those monthly bills to indirectly be earmarked for affordable housing? But, Karma will eventually have the final say.
I only post when out of business bakers post wrong information.
Norma says.
They continue to make uninformed judgments and by doing so they are making these decisions that hurt the incorporated city both financially and spiritually.
Answer:
Now Norma, remember Sedona was a tourist town when you arrived and 65% + of the city income comes from our tourist.
You say.
The City of Sedona and the City Council that approved the regional Chamber contract for destination marketing that exclusively marketing their own members and not the exclusive in-city businesses did not think through the unintended consequences
Answer:
Sedona only markets Sedona, no hotels or business in or out side Sedona and only in summer and winter.
And there is no Regional contract, Sedona hotels pay the bed tax, and 55% goes to Sedona marketing or visitor enhancements per state law.
Before the new contract $400,000+ was paid to the chamber each year for marketing and running the up town visitor center, that money came from the city general fund, now all the money for marketing come from the new bed tax saving Sedona hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
Yep , true.
You say.
They have made doing businesses in the city limits more difficult.
Question: How is that Marketing Sedona is making it hard to do business, when business was up $40,000,000 last year.
You say.
The pompous and arrogant City Councilors were not equipped or educated to make such decisions.
Answer: The last two city councils and the17 people on the marketing committee along with our ad agency and out side-marketing experts don’t know how to market Sedona but you know better.
You say.
The CC have allied themselves with those outside the city limits eliminating and discarding those inside the incorporated city limits
The chamber has hundreds of member in and out side the city, they seem happy.
You say.
Norma did they inform or engage the in-city businesses in the process of gifting the regional chamber exclusive funding from the city funding for the their own visitor center and marketing.
Answer:
There were over a dozen public meetings and three city council votes.
There is also a marketing committee with members from all walks of business life in Sedona.
Norma, in the old day when you worked for a living were you gifted your weekly check?
The chamber is doing a great job, and was just awarded over $100,000 in advertising support for Sedona because of their award winning programs.
Marve says.
There has been absolutely no accountability relating to the intensity of the traffic congestion relating to the vast number of day-trippers that invade Sedona almost on a daily basis. And uptown businesses continue to close due to lack of retail sales.
Answer,
So the chamber and city are to be blamed for “intensity of the traffic” and “uptown businesses continue to close due to lack of retail sales”.
Marve,
More people and fewer sales? How does that work?
Or perhaps the up town shops need to change what they are selling, Times change and people are looking harder at what they buy. Hotels seem to have figured it out.
Marve, up town live off day-trippers, not the hotels. With out them the merchants would die,,,, but that would be ok with (Self centered NIMBY Marve).
Over all retail sales in Sedona were up $40,000,000 last year.
Tax income is up 17%.
Marve we live in a tourist town, a large one, get over it, or move.
Read it for yourselves http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/52leg/2r/bills/sb1350s.pdf
C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, “VACATION RENTAL” OR “SHORT-TERM
22 RENTAL” MEANS ANY INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY OWNED SINGLE-FAMILY OR
23 ONE-TO-FOUR-FAMILY HOUSE OR DWELLING UNIT OR ANY UNIT OR GROUP OF UNITS IN A
24 CONDOMINIUM, COOPERATIVE OR TIMESHARE,
They can’t stop you They are breaking the state law. Read the whole thing. Then turn them into the state. This F-ing city likes to makes up their own rules and laws. It about the misuse of taxpayers dollars. The chamber shouldn’t get one penny from the city. There are several other legitimate advertising companies that could do more for less and save money.
The monopoly of funding regional member groups like the chamber is ridiculous. Then they pay for entertainment group’s expenses and pay them a salary is retarded.Red Earth Theater is taking business away from the resturants and bars that collect sales tax. Just like the Chamber is.
Read it. Tell your neighbors. Nazis are controlling you. Will you behave like Jews did in Europe? No no no
steve segner can’t write coherently or spell. Fess up whoever penned his Sept 30 crapola.
65% of the City income [operating budget income only] does not come from tourists. Just as much comes from local residents, but the City’s calculations fail to include the huge amount of tax $$$$$ received from us.
Taxes and fees from residents: sewer fees, shared flood control district funds from Yavapai & Coconino County; shared state income and state sales taxes, shared vehicle license fees from both counties, and highway user funds.
The ongoing recovery from the recession is the major reason City revenues keep increasing. The regional Chamber of Commerce is a lemon that brings in day-trippers to clog our streets and overuse our infrastructure.
@steve Segner – my name is Marv – not Marve.
And you completely ignore the fact that the chamber of commerce will only feature their members at the city sponsored visitors center. That alone should raise some eyebrows. Much of your rant is, as usual, self-serving, just the same as your idiotic retaliation to the quote offered from City Manager Robert Pickels about it being a majority of Democrats that approved SB 1350. That you continue to insist it was Gov. Ducey that made it happen is as off-the-wall as the rest of your inane rant. Is there anyone in the Greater Sedona Area that (thinks) they know absolutely everything?
And as for the increase in day-trippers, you continue to ignore that when people stay outside Sedona City Limits they may or may not drive into Sedona to shop, or drive through to go to Oak Creek Canyon. They are called “day trippers.” And they create massive traffic backups.
But thank you for acknowledging the number of Sedona uptown businesses that are either closing or in some cases moving to The Collective in the VOC, the latest most publicized Sedona in-place to visit. Goodbye Sedona city sales tax. And the same when private vacation rentals become reality.
This city should cut to the chase, dump the chamber, and go to a REAL advertising agency by doing away with a worthless, special interest, member-driven middle meddler. Their policy to continue to “trust you,” the words you used time and time again at council meetings, is as absurd as your continuous babbling without basis. Staff continues to spin numbers to accommodate you and you know it. End of story.
The city collects sales tax to all deliveries to Sedona. This includes internet sales. They claim those taxes come from tourists. They lie.
If this city government and Chamber of Commerce were as honest as they claim to be, they would do the honorable thing and insist on a reliable outside audit that has no ultimate goal or secret agenda except for proving these people are what they claim to be. As long as they skirt the issue of a legitimate, unbiased audit, their integrity remains questionable. Lord knows they have plenty of money to have several unbiased audits and if they had any decency they would demand an accurate accounting and put an end to the ongoing questions. Why, Mr. Segner, City Council(s) and City Staff do you continue to refuse to do so?
Marv “The baker”
One more time the chamber “members” own the up town building and the city helps with just some of the cost of helping visitors.
Marv
Anyone can put there information at the center, all they need to do is become a member! (as any sport business person would)
Even if the city ran the center they would charge for placement,nothing is free.
Did you notice in the Red rock News the hotels in VOC are talking about a bed tax! wonder why?
Because Sedona showed it works and saves for the city money.
Marv, as for day trippers you do not own Sedona,we share it, in the next 10 years 2,000,000 more people will have moved to Arizona and they will all day trip to Sedona get ready.
ss
Segner, I am NOT a baker. Not that it’s any of your business. And further, since you are so hell-bent in defending tourism, you should be thrilled for vacation rentals. Just think how that will increase the number of tourists big time.
And as for the VOC considering bed tax, it most likely isn’t even legal, which they make clear in the article, because they are not an incorporated municipality. Get a grip, man.
Short term rentals? The answer to your prayers. Thousands of more tourists for Sedona and you need no longer make your false claim to fame that it was because of the C of C that Sedona was discovered. Maybe you could reverse your plea and beg people NOT to visit Sedona!
As for the tourist center, 70% financed with city taxes, you proved the point of what a rip off it is to honest city based, tax collecting businesses. You admit they must become members of the C of C in order to have their publicity placed there. And why is it Flagstaff and other Arizona Cities & Towns do not give any funding to their C of C’s? They rightfully provide their own visitors centers. And for Sedona to claim it would cost too much is more poppy cock. With the amount they dole out to the C of C it just doesn’t wash. That money would be better spent and legally so by benefiting incorporated Sedona, including the Lodging Council with a legitimate Sedona Visitor’s Center. Camp Verde no longer has a C of C. Park City, Utah, gives not one penny to their C of C. They arrange their advertising through the Utah State Bureau of Tourism, where it rightfully belongs. City Council, Staff, and even State of Arizona, are you listening.
Maybe, Stevie, I can sell you some property so you can operate your own home-version of a vacation rental. Does that give you a hint regarding my profession? My method of obtaining bread ain’t by baking it in an oven. Dig?
If I want to rent a room in my house I’m going to rent a room in my house. It’s my house. Got it? You pay my mortgage then you can have some say. You don’t pay my mortgage then you get no say. Got it?
I just recently moved to Sedona after staying here as a visitor. When I booked my stay I thought I was in Sedona. During my visit I did a jeep tour, hiked and ate out. Everything I needed was real close and convenient. I rented a place until I could figure out what portion of Sedona I want to live in. Now that I have been here I realize that I really didn’t stay in Sedona but the Village of Oak Creek.
It is really simple I would move into the city limits. Too much traffic.179 is back up alot. I stay in the Village. Everything is there that I need and I can jump on the freeway quickly when I travel.
I do like the city being generous to the region. I use the bike park when it it gets completed. Glad it is free.
@ Segner
Fact the Chamber- Special interest group has gotten over 16 million dollars. There is no way your lies about the numbers can even come close to justify or account for those kind of numbers. Learn how to add. There is a reason why no other municipality does what you retards do here.
Jim Bollock says:
16 million dollars o please, you know this is BS please show us how you arrived at that number.
You need to stop making up stuff.
If you want to bitch OK but unless you are D Trump try to get close to the truth.
We will all be waiting for you source for that number.
ss
You have a great relationship with the city managers and they have those totals paid to the chamber right on their fingertips. Give them a call.
It is a public record when taxpayer’s money is used to pay anyone. Ask them. You act like Donald Trump, know-it-all but you don’t know anything. Didn’t Donald Trump use your catch phrase “Trust me” ? Or was it Hitler? Great educated dumb -ss.
I have and it is not 17,000,000 please tell us all how you made up the number just to make the chamber look bad…. Just like Trump ….
If you spent even a fraction of your time doing something constructive instead of plotting on how to scam money from the city we would all be better off. But, of course, that isn’t to let city council and pertinent staff off the hook for enabling your pushy control and takeover. And oh, the fabrications.
How long, if ever, before we get someone over there in City Hall that will actually have the backbone and integrity to thoroughly investigate policies of most cities/towns relating to the function of a Chamber of Commerce? It was convenient for this local group to tell lies and exaggerate about other places such a Scottsdale, which operates with a legitimate regional policy and they mutually pitch in financially to promote the area. It isn’t by any means a single handed effort by Scottsdale to promote their entire surroundings and you managed to convince these blind fools otherwise. Not in Sedona, by golly, the be-all for-all do-gooders for even those that don’t appreciate it. Hellooo Red Earth Theatre – anyone home?
It’s shameful and disgusting, mostly because this city management and city councils, though members change, allow it to continue. Absolute no accountability or proof that the upswing in revenue isn’t derived solely from a recovering economy and has nothing to do with the C of C. That businesses continue to close and recently some are relocating to the VOC should be sending a message, but wearing blinders with their backs rankled with determination to allow this idiotic charade to continue is despicable.
There will be a day of reckoning. The problem is anyone worth their salt will not remain working for Sedona for any length of time. Remember Tabatha and the other chap (Snider?) that didn’t even last for one year as Community Development Director? And now the police chief suddenly leaves as well as the commander? All to be admired quite possibly for refusing to slosh around in the mud with the other pigs?
And Segner will not even acknowledge words from the current city attorney because he (Segner) says otherwise and will continue to blame Gov. Ducey for the passage of SB 1350 in spite of support from primarily Democrats in the state senate? Are you, Steve Segner, calling Robert Pickels a liar? Look in the mirror so see an accurate image of what you accuse others of being.
Shame on all of you. Shysters is what you all are IMO.
UP&DOWN liked your Tweet.
@Steve Segner
You and the chamber have been throwing numbers around that are absolute lies. You have been lying so long, you believe your own lies. What makes you think we have to proof anything to you. Soon you will join Jessica as insignificant, as the power leaves your pitiful beings. You want proof, look it up.
It’s Fall now – a new season is upon us as the leaves turn colors and preform their acrobatics as they find their way to the ground….it’s so beautiful! The air smells good and the atmosphere is soft.
Why do I say the above?
Because life is far too short to have a few nasty people disrespect the rest of us with such a cavalier attitude; Because I’ve read quite Enough of mr. segner’s disruptive garbage combined with all the wsr or Wsr or WSR, or whoever in hell that (they) person(s) is.
Because I am so very tired of a man who owns a business and a couple of rental houses in town thinking he can re-write laws as he dumbs all the rest of the town down, etc… (how long do you think it will take him to kick his monthly tenants out and rent them as short term —- and I’ll bet you he runs that side of his rental business through El Portal???).
REMEMBER 1) Segner lives outside the city -2) and HE thinks its Legal to actually use his business address to register as a Sedona Resident Registered Voter; 3) who can’t quite grab the aspect that by raising the Bed Tax by .5% he “thinks” we “Flatlanders” 4) can’t understand his and his lodging council’s sleight of hand that the tourists just saved the hotels a sheet-load of $$$ they should be paying for their marketing budgets!!!!
So, is there some way we can all just enjoy Fall for a few days and stop the gorilla crap and just be a good neighbor by being a partner rather than the little wanna be godfather???
There are not enough roads, simpletons.
I talk to visitors everyday who spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to come in through 89a from Flag.
179 is hours of traffic to get into Sedona only to find they can’t go uptown because there is no place to park.
89a in West Sedona is like a mad speeding and weaving including the middle suicide lane to get through whilst trying to avoid the bicyclers in the very tiny and sometimes non existent bike lanes.
The timeshare visitors say they will skip Sedona next vacation and they are not paying 300 to 1125 per night to come sit in traffic like the hotel guests.
When the short term rentals begin full force, lot more cars coming from in state partiers.
Lots more traffic and you did this all to the residents with no thought to public health and safety.
So count all those pretty pennies and make sure you save some cause the party will not last.
All the decision makers that will not be here in 20 years will be viewed as the ones who destroyed the area unlike their predecessors who attempted to maintain a balance.
The comment about Nepenthe caught my attention. Just how many units are there which will soon be legally available as vacation rentals? And will this city government continue to move forward with yet another hotel at the Biddle property on Soldier Pass Road? At least the CVS will be helpful to those of us on the east side to avoid unbelievable additional congestion in West Sedona.
How bitter sweet it is. Segner, Wesselhoff, city council and staff supporters of the C of C will witness first hand unintended consequences of their greed and graft. But at the same time solid Sedona city residents will pay the price.
How much longer before they sock it to us with city property taxes to compensate for their mistakes. Please please keep in mind. It can only happen with voter approval and any false promises or sales pitches on the merits of added city property taxes will be an even bigger scam than this outrageous situation with the special interest despicable Sedona Lodging Council and Chamber of Commerce and their officious leaders and sponsors, including city council and Sedona city staff. Fact folks. Wake up.