When less than 50% of registered Sedona voters even bother to return the ballot, that alone speaks volumes.

Translated: The silent majority is very content with Sedona’s direction. So why are you sweating about the handful of folks who are allowed the opportunity to express their differing opinions on this web site?

If you consider the city budget for 2014 at $35-38,000,000 or about $3800 per Sedona citizen, and this does not include any money for Sedona fire or Sedona Schools a “little”, you can pay my share.

Most of Sedona’s revenue comes from sales taxes on everything you buy, your utility bill, phone bill, even tax on things you buy online from out of state.

I am on a fixed income, I make LESS than the Sedona average of $56,000 per year. I do not consider $3800 a little expense.

It’s not that I hate the city, I hate waste and someone taking MY MONEY. Sedona spends about 3 times what the state of Arizona says a city our size should spend.

Then again, if you make a six figure city salary, and live outside Sedona, it might be a great deal.

If you take the $3800 the city spends per resident, and my approximately $2000 annual property taxes, my share is about $5800. More than 10% of my income just for local government.

It’s not a great deal for me.

Well explained, Thank you.

Would you please consider submitting an argument Against Home Rule for the ballot?

Multiple arguments can be submitted, and I’m sure yours would be one of the best!

Regards

Richard

So without examples of how our amazing leaders are, as some of you put it, are destroying Sedona, I will not agree. If Home Rule means we the citizens of Sedona continue to realize the benefits of a well run city, with beautiful amenities at very little cost to the residents, the count me as a definite YES vote.

My hats off to the Mayor and Council as in my grateful opinion, you guys ROCK!

Home Rule does not ALLOW the City to collect or raise taxes…it just means they can spend every stinking penny they raise by either raising taxes or fees or implementing Special Improvement Districts or Property Taxes!

Seems to me that the reason the City wants a Yes Vote on Home Rule is to continue to dumb us down so they can continue to discuss dumb concepts like buy commercial properties along the creek to turn into parks as well as buying the old USFS land on Brewer Rd. as they continue to give freebies to the public in order to bring tourists to town. OMG!

Quite frankly, it is my belief that the definition of “preforming arts” is in reality – Our City Council.

An hour or so was spent discussing waiving fees ($5.00/hr.) for performing arts to rent some rec-room at the Posse Grounds. Although according to Rachel Murdoch no such requests from “performing arts” had ever been received. The entire idea came about because of Rob Adams and Jessica Williamson who placed it on the agenda.

Based on lack of definition of even what “performing arts” actually meant, something was approved (I think) but by the time one motion failed, another was made, and total confusion prevailed. My opinion is that Jessica Williamson gave carte blanche to staff to define “performing arts” who may or may not want to rent the city building to be used “maybe” for rehearsing . . . or possibly performances . . . but yet undefined. Again my opinion based on the performance at this meeting: The problem is with City Council and not staff. At least in this instance which might make another good verse for “Oh! Sedona.”

I find that very interesting as the City of Sedona does less than other cities. They take no responsibility for regular things, like roads, sewer, drainage. I know this first hand.

Sounds like they spend more just like their egos. Really bad management. Council doesn’t have a clue. They throw money at the chamber and the chamber hurts the in town businesses. Many conflicts of interests. I wish the City Manager would stand up and manage. No one on city council has experience.

Sedona spends about 3 times what the state of Arizona says a city our size should spend.

We need to spread the word.