Following a global recession our NATIONAL economy was substantially soaring for the last four years, and it most assuredly had NOTHING to do with this “regional” chamber of commerce! Suggesting otherwise is total BS and remains completely without merit lacking verification of ANY positive financial gain from money allotted to this ongoing dog and pony show.

Sedona residents within City Limits, continue to sit back passively complaining only to one another and those on the take will remain laughing all the way to the bank as they continue to reap (or should that be “rape”) municipal taxes for questionable projects. Another example? Jordan Road property now owned by the chamber of commerce but purchased with public tax funds.

Fast forward to June 21, 2020, when yet another Sedona election is forthcoming. Another city budget for next fiscal year is presently before the city council for approval. And the amount of funding currently being requested by the regional chamber of commerce reaches an all-time high = just a few bucks short of THREE MILLION DOLLARS!!

Conditions for the excessive C of C funding have NOT changed! Still no competitive bidding and/or definitive accountability of return on investments made in previous years since this idiotic policy has been in place.

Shame on both city staff and ongoing city councils for allowing this obnoxious and obvious ripoff practice to continue. Don’t be surprised when Sedona crashes severely for multiple reasons, none of which perhaps will be caused by the coronavirus.

Now faced already with a substantial loss of revenue estimated to be around at least $10 million budgeting even one penny to enable continuation of this absurd arrangement seems almost – well – what words can be said to even describe the atrocity of this absurd but costly convoluted activity? Maybe if and when the time comes for a serious reality check at City Hall, Sedona residents should be prepared for “them” to come after residents within Sedona City Limits with ways and means to force us to pay increased taxes to foot the bill for bad decisions.

Never, never vote approval for a City Property Tax and brace yourselves for maybe special districts to tax for projects or even another increase in sales tax.

What about axing all funding to the local Chamber of Commerce who represent ONLY their dues-paying members?

Ever hear the term “Shell Game?” (actually reflecting back it may very well have been under discussion on Sedona Eye at one time. ) Anyhow, as a refresher, check this out:

shell game
/ˈSHel ˌɡām/

A deceptive and evasive action or ploy, especially a political one.

Enough said?

No stevie, all it proved is that our government is corrupt from top to bottom. Time for a change to far, far less theft through government.

Six figure income
Work 4 days a week with eight holiday Mondays off
Two weeks paid leave the first year of employment
Two weeks paid vacation the first year
Spend most of your time playing on your phone in meetings.

I applied, there were 15 city employees in my initial employment interview.

I did not get the job, I had been in private enterprise and I was used to actually working long days. I did not fit the city culture.

August 22, 2019 at 7:47 pm
Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah. More voodoo city/chamber justification for questionable transactions. Municipality versus special-interest non-profit organization! WOW – such a deal. We work for Goodwill. How do we apply?

Post Date: 08/22/2019 3:01 p.m.

SEDONA, Ariz. – In a report issued Aug. 15, 2019, the Office of the Arizona Attorney General finds that the city of Sedona contract with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, and the city’s administration of that contract, are consistent with the requirements of the Arizona Constitution.

From the report:

The Office concludes that although the payment structure established by the Agreement twice caused the City to pay more to the Chamber than was due to be paid under the Chamber’s City-approved budget, an illegal payment of public money did not occur because the City ultimately accounted for the overpayment through additional appropriations.

Sedona City Attorney Robert Pickels says he is not surprised. “The final report from the Attorney General’s Office confirmed what the city has always believed, which is that the agreement with the chamber is both well-designed and legally sound,” he says.

The attorney general’s report closes an investigation requested in July 2018 by then-Sen. Judy Burges, who represented cities in the Phoenix metro area. Burges asked for a state investigation into whether the city violated “gift clause” prohibitions in the Arizona Constitution by allocating a percentage of bed tax revenues for tourism marketing under its contract with the chamber. Shortly before the August 2018 mayor and council election, during which the contract was a hot topic, Burges withdrew her request.

Nonetheless, the Office of the Attorney General followed through with the investigation, with which the city cooperated fully. The report states: