Article submitted by the City of Sedona and written by Sedona Mayor Rob Adams
Sedona AZ (September 24, 2014) – One of the aspect of my job as Mayor that I enjoy the most is the direct contact with my constituents on a daily basis. Most of these discussions take place outside of my office…at restaurants, the movie theater, the grocery store, the gym or just about anywhere that I am in the same space with one of Sedona’s citizens. It helps me to understand the concerns and perspectives of our citizenry.
I recently encountered a fellow hiker as I reached the summit of Sugarloaf hill early one morning. He recognized me and immediately started sharing his views about “big government.” He stated that he was concerned about the size of city staff, the salaries that were paid, money that was spent on supporting organizations and programs in the city, and the lengthy process that it takes “to get anything done.”
Nine years ago, when I was first seated on City Council, I shared many of the views of my fellow hiker. I vowed to “make our government operate more like a business.” I believed that government is bloated, bureaucratic, and inefficient. During my tenure on City Council, my views have morphed and moderated as I become more educated about how our local government works.
I have found that staff size tends to increase during prosperous times. This is primarily due to increased development and capital project activity. The staff of our Community Development department must be increased to meet the increased demand for services. During the economic downturn, we eliminated eight staff positions. Salaries of staff are determined by a review of comparable cities. Our goal is to offer competitive salaries in order to attract top quality candidates. During the downturn, all staff salaries were frozen for four years.
I have also heard the public question the size of our staff for the police department. What I have found is that we must maintain enough officers and staff to provide 24 hour, seven day a week protection and service for our public. This requires a mandatory number of officers, backup personnel, 911 operators, and officers in charge around the clock. There is a mathematical equation that determines the number of police personnel that are needed.
City of Sedona Mayor Rob Adams reflects on his tenure
The financial support that the city provides to non-profit organizations and programs in the city is another source of public criticism. If you really think about it, a vast majority of the funding that the city provides helps to support seniors, our library, Sedona Recycles, the Humane Society, and other essential services for the health and welfare of our citizens. The funding for events and destination marketing helps to generate additional sales and bed taxes. Each funding category is carefully analyzed and reviewed each year. There are always arguments for increased funding and reduced funding from various segments of our community…damned if you do, damned if you don’t. We have reduced our overall city expenditures approximately 30% since 2008. I think our funding levels and operating expenditures are at a good level.
Finally, I want to address the slow pace of decision making in government. As a business owner, I had the liberty to be the final decision maker. I could choose to consult with my employees, my accountant, my attorney, or my customers before I made a decision, or I could make a decision without going through this process. In a democracy, decision making must go through a process. This often includes research and recommendations by staff, commissions, a public process and finally, a debate and decision by City Council. I am sure that dictators get things done much more quickly. Personally, I prefer a democracy.
I will be leaving office in November. Thanks for the education and the memories. It has been an honor and privilege to be Sedona’s Mayor.
The thoughts and opinions that I have expressed in this article are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the City of Sedona.
Published without edits as written by Mayor Rob Adams, this Eye on City of Sedona article was submitted by City staff.
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“During the downturn, all staff salaries were frozen for four years.”
Not true. The city manager received compensation 30% more than his predecessor. Then there was also the creation of the “Assistant to the City Manager” position (not to be confused with the Assistant City Manager) so that someone who was redundant at the Community Development Dept. would still have a job.
@Warren:
Can’t you just let the guy bow out gracefully without nit picking every word?
Just saying…..
You know how it goes…. Warren and the likes ( you know the people here who constantly complain about everything) lost the election and now they desperately need something else to complain about…
This has nothing about who won or who lost. The mayor said clearly he expects to remain active until his last day. Would you undermine his right to be? In a democracy he is accountable to the voters during and after his tenure. Let him address the issue and stop reacting like a clone!
“Tom G.”
It’s good to know you’re still around. Enjoy your moment in the sun. It ain’t over til the Fat Lady sings. No honesty among thieves is alive and well in Sedona. What goes around comes around and that’s the truth.
As for “Just Saying”: You are correct. No need to nit pick. Too time consuming. Future events might better serve to reveal major boo-boos yet to be discovered. Just a thought.
I didn’t know that Warren ran in the election. Did he run for city council? I live in the village and am really happy the city of sedona pays to advertise my B&B. I promoted those that will give the region free money to market us.
While I appreciate it I can see why people are unhappy. They have to collect the taxes that advertise us. Happy I am in the village.
Bravo Tina. You just made an astute evaluation of what this “Sedona” election was all about. You’ve no idea how I regret not living outside “city limits” where the fair-haired reside. Oops, forgot Oak Creek Canyon advertised “residence/home” of the one and only Steve Segner, operator of El Portal, host to the victory party for Sandy Moriarty and most recently sounding off (complaining) about the proposed Marriot for West Sedona. Hmmm . . . how are your own occupancy figures these day Mr. Segner? A bit frightened that the Chamber of Commerce won’t produce a return on the $1.3 million Sedona tax money? Not to worry. City doesn’t give a hoot about that and obviously the Harkey advertising partner felt assured of his continued “sub-contract” w/Chamber (public funds)) after his $1,000 contribution to Moriarity;
BTW Steve and Jennifer Wesselhoff, how did the October Fest get moved to El Portal? Wasn’t it originally advertised as being at the Hilton this year? How did that one slip through the cracks?
Oh Pleazzz! Mayor Rob is just a flick on our radar screen of all those who want to become our savior’s when in fact they only are dealing with – not their money but Ours!!! And they just keep spending without any reconciliation.
The newly elected council and mayor don’t give a crap about our town……..they just care about their personal agendas!!!
@Tina T – finally someone finally come out to say how happy you are that the City pays to advertise you!
@Tom G: get a grip and for once – just please understand that their are people in our community who have more heart and respect for Sedona than You do!
@Dan: Oh holly Hell I do expect the lame duck Mayor to have some respect and not continue to try to play his cards at this time = he is no longer accountable to the voters as his time is just a gone!
@Just Sayin’: Let the guy ” let the guy bow out gracefully without nit picking every word?” Well wouldn’t that be like saying He has NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE SCREW UPS?
What you all don’t get is that Warren is correct: “The city manager received compensation 30% more than his predecessor. Then there was also the creation of the “Assistant to the City Manager” position (not to be confused with the Assistant City Manager) so that someone who was redundant at the Community Development Dept. would still have a job.”
Come up out of your want lists and your dreams and get real to the facts!
Our little town has been taken over by the likes of a bunch of none vested people only in order for them to have a new hobby……..a hobby that has nothing to do with the sustainability or profitability or respect of anyone – let alone the guts of those who superseded THEM to actually put this town on the World Map!
More concerns about Mayor Adams’ terms:
Increased fees and costs were imposed on Sedona’s population. According to Sperling’s BEST PLACES (To Live), Sedona’s cost of living is now 29.20% higher than the average for US cities.
The spending of City savings/rainy day funds became in vogue. According to this year’s budget, Estimated Revenues are $27.79 million, yet Budgeted Expenditures are a whopping $38.97 million. A look at the City’s Schedules A and C (estimated) reveals last year’s Actual Expenditures exceeded Actual Revenues by $5.11 million.
The City’s bond rating has been downgraded twice under Mayor Adams.
Already refinances themselves, the existing Series 2004 Bonds–remaining average life of a little over 2 years–and a portion of the Series 1998 Bonds were again refinanced within the last two years (the latter refi balloon maturity). Annual Debt Service Payments run around $6 million.
At $1.3 million this year, the amount of pork for the Chamber of Commerce more than doubled over last year, with NO competitive bidding.
Although the 2008 recession ended in June 2009, there are still an undue number of commercial vacancies in town. Currently, Thrifty Mountain Supply and the car wash are closing, or have closed. According to New Frontiers, they couldn’t compete. So, now we have Whole Foods.
Already the highest in our area, aggressive annual sewer rate increases were imposed on sewer users. Bodacious Burgers and Studio Live both attributed sewer fees to their demise.
Offensive pre-meetings with last-minute information/disclosure and odd hours make it more difficult for citizens to attend Council meetings and participate.
Many Commissions were hurriedly disbanded without offering alternatives to the City Engagement Program, which program doesn’t require complying with AZ’s Open Meeting Law. But it does require a new City staffer.
70% of the electorate voted against taking ownership of Hwy 89A in West Sedona from ADOT.
Turning to the November runoff between Rio Robson and Scott Jablow,, please do not vote for Scott Jablow for the open City Council seat. IMO, he is not for the residents.
In my opinion, the Mayor cannot bow out fast enough. The City Finance Department recently posted the July 2014 monthly status report on its website. The Finance Dept. estimates Revenues Over Expenditures in the negative by ($10,594,724) for the current fiscal year.
@Jean And what makes you think we’ll be better off with Sandy Moriarity? During her campaign she went on record to support a new traffic study, cost estimate $250,000. (already under discussion at special council meeting last week)
And in case you weren’t aware S. Moriarity together with Jessica Williamson (then a city employee) championed the Housing Commission’s ADU campaign which resulted in city code approval in spite of overwhelming public opposition.
Moriarity, Williamson, and Barbara Litrell (soon to be replaced by Angela LeFevre) never met an “entitlement” proposal they didn’t embrace. Just one more will make a solid council quorum of four in case it doesn’t already exist. Could that missing link be Scott Jablow? Ask those who received phone solicitations from him indicating he sways with the tree branches in the direction the wind blows them in order to get elected. Ask Steve Segner and the Chamber of Commerce.
Brace yourself, Girl. The road ahead will be bumpy and costly but the fact remains the voters spoke (small turnout) and we, the “vocal minority” as identified by newly council member elect Jon Thomspon have our comeuppance and unfortunately will again be silenced when it comes to footing the bill for the grandiose visionaries that continue to control our dismal destiny.
Of course, just another opinion and really, what do any of us know that disagrees with Sedona’s version of the “almighty seven?” That, too, most likely according to them is a politically incorrect statement.
@Marv. You are on the wrong track. I didn’t vote for Sandy or Angela. I will thank you not to write such dumb hogwash as I “think we’ll be better off with Sandy Moriarty.” You need to be addressing all the sleepy eyed seniors who just don’t care and failed to vote in the ‘pick your poison’ election.
BTW, the road has been costly and bumpy with the current Mayor and Council. They had meetings on GO-Bonds, City Property Taxes, and Special Improvement Districts last year, but a potential increase in the sales tax is also an option in the wind. ALL exiting Council persons promised to follow the will of the people. Look how that worked out.
So great the current City Budget states on Page 1 – 8 that in three year’s time there will be no reserves left to fund [non-sewer] capital projects. Also great that although the recession ended in June 2009, commercial closings are still extremely numerous and ongoing. In four years time, the City budget has increased by $11 Million Today current-year total budgeted expenditures are $10.6 Million in excess of projected Revenues. Economists tell us as a City’s budget increases, so do its future taxes and fees. Residents, low-wage workers, and small businesses in town have already seen plenty of that.
@Jean
all I indicated was that after Sandy M. takes oath of mayor’s office in mid November, maybe at the end of her two year term Rob Adams won’t look like such a bad guy. After all it took him six years to help create the monster you accurately describe. Let us see how quickly SM can make claim to such fame.
As for people who do not vote, whether sleepy-eyed seniors or anyone else, we are in agreement that they add to the problem and not the solution.
Sedona’s politics has traveled into the dark side. Hasn’t the $1.3 Million taxpayer handout to the regional Chamber of Commerce–joined at the hips to a certain City Council member’s crony Steve Segner, gorilla marketer and Lodging Council President–improperly influenced the outcome of the 2014 Sedona City Council elections? In my opinion, as awful as Sandy M. will be, it’s a fantasy to think the day will come when Rob Adams won’t look like such a bad guy.