SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (May 8, 2015) – It’s that time of year for budget review and planning. Work sessions are presently taking place.
In two years, the Capital Improvement Fund will be depleted. Just last week a “professional service contract” was signed by the City to pay out over $2,000 a month ($25,000 annually) to Red Earth Theater for it to provide performing arts. Of course Sedona has been promoted as an art center, but since when haven’t artists been able to promote themselves? Where is the pride and confidence in their ability if they are unable to do so? Since when was that a financial responsibility of public tax funds? Why wasn’t that facility, the Teen Center, leased out for profit to the City instead of the other way around?
How much more will be “given” to non-profits? All worthy causes, but again not the responsibility of a municipality when creature comforts become neglected and there’s no funding in sight to make things right.
The primary responsibility of our elected officials is to provide for the Health, Safety, & Welfare of those living within the confines of the designated area – City Limits. They were not elected to continually over-use the words “I think” and base their decisions on their own wants, needs, personal agendas, and opinions that don’t reflect the will of the general population, those that elected them for the purpose of representing them and not themselves.
And, of course, in Sedona the same considerations must be extended to our visiting tourists since, yes, they are huge contributors to the tax base and also deserve, among other creature conveniences, decent roads and adequate parking while spending time in Sedona.
Spending millions to encourage more traffic when Sedona cannot accommodate what is already here is nonsense.
Giving away money to the line-up of many who should be self sufficient is out of control. What about the Sedona Film Festival? Has anyone bothered to request an audit in order to determine just how badly that very popular offering to Sedona is in need of enhanced funding?
Enough has already been reported on the absurdity of the outrageous and unaccountable amount of money allocated to the “regional” Chamber of Commerce to advertise themselves, increase their own membership, enhance their own web site, and operate a City financed Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center to promote only their members as they continue to shun in-city businesses that do not acquiesce to their demands: Be a Chamber member or else you do not get referrals from the Visitors Center. And at the same time they promote members that do not contribute to the City tax base!
As a Chamber of Commerce that is its responsibility – to serve its members. It is not the responsibility of the City of Sedona to use tax revenue to advertise the Chamber and their members – period.
Priorities appear to be skewed, and unless they are intensely reviewed and scrutinized current sources of revenue will dry up and, of course, then comes the question: What will be the “new” source(s) of money?
We all know what proposals have been on the drawing board and it’s highly unlikely they will be favorably received by the voting citizens of Sedona as long as the frivolous spending continues.
Heads-up! The process is under way – so now more than ever is the time to pay attention.
How many residents are in the position of grasping “new” sources of funds when we feel it’s a good idea? That notion, of course, is very unlikely as we must realistically alter our wish list to accommodate living within our budgets.
Why does the City of Sedona feel that rule doesn’t apply to them? Isn’t it time we insist they do?
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@Just Sayin’
Genuinely and Very happy to hear that the 911 responders helped your husband.
Yet, that is Not the subject, nor question, of where the Fire Chief lives and there is no relevance between the two issues, whatsoever.
I would certainly hope you would care about how the FD spends our monies -which most certainly is my point and question. And would also realize and ask that you should be able to separate the two issues in order to stay on point with the issue.
Having witnessed, first hand, how wonderful our first responders are – I’ve nothing but huge complements for them. Again I say that is not the issue!
Where does our FD Chief live and what does it cost us (taxpayers) to have him live outside our District? That’s the question.
That a lot of streets will be fixed is B.S. Worse traffic congestion and further street deterioration resulting from overcrowding and tourism not paying its fair share is more like it.
An $1,453,100 City handout to the Chamber of Commerce from Hell for next fiscal year is Item 9.a. on next Tuesday’s Council Agenda.
Alarmed says:
June 4, 2015 at 8:28 am
That a lot of streets will be fixed is B.S. Worse traffic congestion and further street deterioration resulting from overcrowding and tourism not paying its fair share is more like it.
Sorry 60%+ of sedona income comes from tourism, what do you pay? just sales tax.
please keep the fax straight…… If you think my nunbers are wrong then just prove it
steve
Your numbers are wrong @steve hypothesis by hypothesis equals a guessing game. Remove the guessing game by having all businesses report in their own data with the city Transaction Privilege Report. Give each and every one a voice. The City of Sedona Finance Department can take those reports and show tourism dollars as tourism dollars. Transparency. They can always show a ROI,return on investment by how many of your members give you credit for the bed tax they collected based on your referral of them. You are using taxpayers’ dollars, to advertise your regional membership. Shouldn’t your customer be able to give you a unbiased review and assessment? They already track FIT,BUS, SMERF, ect. No problem reporting it unless you have something to hide.
Of course those outside the city district love it that City of Sedona is gifting them free marketing dollars. Let’s make the playing field fair. Give all the lodging in the city limits free membership. The City paid for it anyway. Equal rights.
I personally feel that every person counts. Every business contributes. Equal rights for those inside the incorporated city limits.
@ steve Segner
I pay :
1)City Sales tax
2) City Sewer Fee (TAX)
3) City Tax on all my utility bills
4) City tax on any gasoline I buy
5) City permit to build
6) City business license (TAX)
I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few.
We would be way ahead if the “city” of Sedona were just shut down. Th Village of Oak creek runs just fine without a city. As a matter of fact, city employees live there. Why would they want to do that if living in the City was so much better?
No city tax
Sewer is a fee for service and not full cost sales tax pays a part
The other taxes are one time fees for service
And no tax on food you are living free
Gas tax state and federal city gets small %
Do you think the city can run on your sales tax?
The City brings in enough money. They need to manage what they have and not give it away to regional special interest groups. Just because your regional trade group-chamber benefits from 1.2 million dollars you feel you need to rationalize it and protect it. Transparency is needed. The city should not be paying for the region. They have enough issues to deal with within the incorporated area.
Sedona is not growing, the population is shrinking. Everyone pays taxes. The city gets their fair share of State and County taxes from us residents along with other taxes such as franchise fees. The list is long. Citizens are getting more informed.
Rather than target the city, the regional business trade group – chamber needs to learn to fish. Create your own money to market the region, Fairly. Stop making those inside the incorporate city pay so you can play.
BTW @Steve you should have left me alone. Your bullying and slanderous statements have woken me up. I have never even meet you. I will continue to speak up for those getting pushed around. The little guy.
Why don’t you address any of the honest transparent suggestions to move the region forward? Transparent direct reporting from our businesses to the city. Why do you not give free membership to all the lodging in the city since in your own words they don’t mind promoting the region on the bed tax? I am sure every GM in town would LOVE to save the additional $5,00-$15,000 the chamber charges them. The city of Sedona already pays. Why don’t you give them each a vote?
I believe that every person counts. Equal. No second class citizens in the beautiful USA.
The city can run on sales tax if all the special interest groups would get their own funding. The reason why most cities do their own projects such as target marketing and branding is to have transparency and no conflict of interests. They own 100% of assets the such as visitors centers, websites, videos. The build the city from the inside out.
I would love to see a report on how much money is being gifted to special interest groups like you. @jeanj posted one on the eye. I can image it is well over 2 million dollars, since you get over 1.2 million.
I am more than happy to help. You have my number. Have a great day. It looks like we may get some rain.
Donna Joy Varney.
And away we go! Any bets that the vote on this council agenda item next Tuesday (June 9th) will be a slam-dunk approval by the Magnificent Seven? Why waste the time listening to the overblown BS about how, without the chamber of commerce, there would be no Sedona. May something to consider is that without the c of c there would be a “better” Sedona.
Regular Business
a. AB 1952 Presentation/discussion/possible action regarding the approval of certain contract documents
with the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau for destination marketing and tourism promotion
services for FY2016, including a Marketing and Product Development Plan, Performance Measures
document, and Tourism Promotion Budget.
Donna said,
I am sure every GM in town would LOVE to save the additional $5,00-$15,000 the chamber charges them. The city of Sedona already pays. Why don’t you give them each a vote?
Donna, we meet the second Tuesday of each month (that is when we vote).
The chamber does not charge any hotel, hotels are members and we sign up for services, and by the way there is a waiting list for some programs.
Donna asked, I would love to see a report on how much money is being gifted to special interest groups like you.
The Sedona Lodging Council gets no monies from the chamber nor do we give them any.
Donna asked, Why don’t you address any of the honest transparent suggestions to move the region, Because we like the chambers marketing programs.
Donna said: Transparency is needed
Go to the city get the numbers and the contracts.
I can image it is well over 2 million dollars, since you get over 1.2 million.
See there you go Donna making your bullying and slanderous statements.
“I can Image” that says it all, it is all in you head.
Donna, all I do is answer questions with real numbers,
By the way, sales in Sedona are way up this year but that is a good thing
Steve
Pursuant to the City of Sedona’s “Where Does the Money Come From” pie chart portraying the Tentative Budget for 2015-2016, “Taxes” represent 31% of City revenues. Steve Segner’s statement “Sorry “60%+ of Sedona income comes from tourism” is false.
The “Where Does the Money Go” pie chart shows only 3% will be used for “Streets” while 4% goes to “Outside Agency Support.” Steve Segner’s statement that a lot of streets will be fixed is a whopper.
Hello All….and in thinking about the pie chart, referenced above, .(and Where Does the Money Come From) – how many more ways does the pie get sliced until all we are left with is crumbs that mice are not even interested in?
Let’s not forget that on the Council meetings agenda for 6/9/15 – under the Consent Items: that the item 3 c. “AB 1959 states: Approval of a Land Acquisition Agreement with the owner of 705 Back O’Beyond Road through resolution for the Cathedral Rock Trail Head Improvements Project”
What? isn’t that a USFS issue???? And how much will this cost US – City Tax Payers? (not the council but US Taxpayers?)
Then lets take the simple concept and Facts that our City Council and Staff is just continuing to blindly spend our money – Our Money! – as they are set to go with the 6/9/15 Council item #9 a. AB 1952 asking for “possible action regarding the approval of certain contract tourism promotion services for FY 2016, including a Marketing and Product Development Plan, Performance Measures document, and Tourism Promotion Budget.” This item is ALL and ONLY about the illustrious Regional Chamber of Commerce.
If I’m reading the Agenda correctly – there are NO money amounts listed in either Agenda Items as to how either gets paid for or what either will cost!!!
So, us poor puppies have no idea what either will cost us – as we look at the agenda items.
I call that a Mega Slip Up on the City’s side and it just confirms to me that all the numbers shown and not shown are Bogus!!!
Come on folks – start asking where the money comes from to pay for their long list of feel goods.
I have lived in Sedona city limits for over twenty years. I have been on non-profits 501C (6) boards for most of the time. I have also had the pleasure of working with many business owners and their managers. We have worked together to promote our businesses without funding from the city as those projects were to increase regional businesses.
The Sedona Bridal Fair is one of those projects. The Sedona Bridal Fair trade name was legally registered with the state on 10/22/2010 We have held annual events at Poco Diablo Resort within the city limits. Sedona Bridal Fair is an economic stimulus program that brings in over 7 million dollars to the local economy in weddings and events. The Sedona Bridal Fair has been organized by non-profits with all those wanting to participating equally contributing to the financial production of it. The organization is 100% volunteers.
To help assist in transparency here are some links definitions @Steve Segner
equality = “The state or quality of being equal.”
“Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals’ freedom from unwarranted infringement bygovernments and private organizations, and ensure one’s abilityto participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression. ”
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/civil+rights
“Cities generally have complex systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing, and transportation. The concentration of development greatly facilitates interaction between people and businesses, benefiting both parties in the process, but it also presents challenges to managing urban growth.[3]”
“Affinity Groups-To better serve the needs of its members, the Sedona Chamber has been organizing affinity groups that represent various sectors of Sedona’s business community. Representing the needs of 1,000 individual members is difficult when needs are different. However, by organizing various like-areas of industry locally these groups can come together and agree upon what the group needs from the Chamber and the community. Each affinity group, with a unified vision, makes it possible for the Sedona Chamber to not only address each sector’s needs more effectively but also to represent its vision and business interests in the Chamber’s marketing efforts.” “To date, the association affinity groups are:Sedona Lodging Council, President – Steve Segner, 928-203-9405 http://www.sedonachamber.com/article/62”
Clearly the Sedona Lodging Group is an affinity group for the members of the chamber as it posted on the website. The chamber is a membership based organization, which is regional.
Managers jobs are outlined by their ownership. Most I know do not have a free hand to do anything. They have job descriptions and are not vested. I have spoken to owners stakeholders in Sedona lodging. Some inside the city limits some not. Those that are owner operators didn’t get a vote and they are a members of the lodging affinity group chamber. Owners that have GM weren’t even informed about the bed tax. Increasing the bed tax to market their competition is a game changer. It impacts the business they are vested in. The owners – partners are the stakeholders and they are the ones that need to be protected.
As long as I have lived here there has always been a struggle for the control of monies. The only way to remove the conflict of interest is to do just that. The businesses within the incorporated area along with the residents and property owners are vested partners. Everyone pays property tax and the city gets their portion. Taking credit for the success of those businesses that are foot printed in the incorporated area is not appropriate. Appreciation and working together for one common cause builds teamwork. Those that generate sales tax and bed tax work hard to do so. We need to give them credit.
Regional businesses and regional businesses groups do not contribute and should not be the beneficiaries of municipality destination marketing. This is why most states and most cities prohibited it. Check out Flagstaff City. It is not about opinions, it about transparency equal rights, civil and political rights for those within the incorporated city.
The union of the incorporated city limits is by the foot printed area. We love our neighbors outside the incorporated area. Residents, property and business owners pay to play within the district. Simple, clear and 100% transparent.
I encourage each and every resident and business in the city limits to speak up. Strength is in numbers. By keeping silence you are endorsing this. The link to send the entire city council an email is here https://www.sedonaaz.gov/Sedonacms/index.aspx?page=1096
We are showing our support for those within the city limits by sponsoring http://www.SedonaCity.com. If you would like to list a business or activity it is FREE. Please lets show each other some unbaised support.
Like I said, I am always willing to help create a fair and positive tomorrow. You have my number. The rain was fabulous last night. Its going to be a beautiful day in Sedona. Hope you have a great one.
With Sweet Regards,
Donna Joy Varney
Hmm, hasn’t the Chamber’s marketing plan been a disaster? I am hearing two Chamber surveys showed a 20% decline in length of stay in less than one year.
Next Tuesday’s Council Agenda proposes to gift the Chamber with $1,453,100 in taxpayer funds (Item 9.a.).
Donna says:
Regional businesses and regional businesses groups do not contribute and should not be the beneficiaries of municipality destination marketing.
Your arguments are just Xenophobia,
the Sedona Lodging Council believes all the business in the Verde Valley should work together and we see hotels like Enchantment The Hilton and motels in the village as huge drivers of business to Sedona.
The lodging Council receives no money from the chamber or the city, so your argument is mute.
Sedona is not an Island but part of a region, and most hotel guests spend a good amount of their time in the Verde Valley not Sedona.
(Jerome, Wine Country, Dry Creek Rd, Upper canyon, most of the hiking are on Federal land, Bell Rock, and most of the Jeep trips are outside of city limits
Donna says:
: Owners that have GM weren’t even informed about the bed tax.
Oh please, we’ve had over 16 meetings, two votes, and were in front of the council four times, e-mails were sent to all hotels over 24 times, several newspaper articles, the city placed an ad in The Red Rock News on each city council meeting.
If a hotel or motel manager or ”OWNER” was not aware of the bed tax, time to start looking for a new job or sell your hotel.
Donna, the bed tax was put in place by the city council not the lodging council we just said yes, we like the idea of a bed tax to pay for marketing and we love the results.
Donna says to help assist in transparency.
Donna, what can’t you see, the chamber contracts with the city? (On file with the city).
City council meetings, (on file at the city)
Sedona lodging council meetings open to any hotel in the Verde Valley.
Donna, the chamber-marketing message is Sedona the most beautiful place in the world. It does not talk about any business in or outside of Sedona.
What you don’t like is that Enchantment The Hilton and motels and business in the village are on the http://visitsedona.com page, Well they are chamber members and they PAID for their listing,
I say again Xenophobia,
Hope that answered your questions.
Steve
Still laughing…….your hilarious @Steve segner Your somewhat entertaining.
I love the Sedona Region. I have friends working at hotels outside the city limits. Co mingling is the issue. The city of Sedona should not be paying for the region. What do we have 29 hotels? Did every one of those owners sign a waiver giving up any of their civil rights? I never signed a waiver when I bought my house or business in the city limits. I didn’t see that clause that only the Chamber and the chambers affinity group Lodging council got a vote and all the city taxpayers money.
I will never agree with your politics. I will never agree that our residents and entire 2,375 businesses don’t matter. Our City is an incorporate area, they have enough to deal with. Everything you posted was perfect reasons to create a Sedona Transient Bed District. Then each and every location can work together contributing their fair amount. San Diego is a perfect example. It is only pennies on the dollar for everyone to pay to play, fairly.
Move on as I have. Just remember when you all are ready to create a TBD I will support and help. I have all the benchmarks done. As long as you take city taxpayers money ,spin the numbers, put down residents and others that contribute to the city, I will stand up for them. I will not support discrimination.
I have more important things to work on. We are so excited, I have a great new product line that services our local residents. They love it. Come by sometime and check it out. It would be interesting to meet you. Meanwhile I’m sure you all are enjoying spending that 1.2 million dollars to market everyone in the Sedona Region.
Donna Joy Varney
The lands of Arizona’s Sedona Red Rock area are a national treasure, as beautiful as any place on earth. They appear to be age-old and everlasting, but they are actually fragile and vulnerable. No iron-clad protections are in place to protect them from the ravages of misuse. We must act now to protect this unique environment for future generations — sign the petition at our website http://www.redrocknationalmonument.org — and help support a Sedona Verde Valley Red Rock National Monument!
Check out our Facebook page and like it too!!
Now is the time to protect the fragile lands, riparian habitats and archaeological treasures around Sedona for future generations. Please help us urge the President to declare the U Forest Service Lands around Sedona a National Monument.
Karen McClellan
Sedona
Today in the mail was Community Connection – news and events for citizens of Sedona.
Update from Mayor Sandy Moriarty after she gives a rundown of council priorities is the catchy little phrase: “. . . continuing work on an economic development program, and looking for FUNDING SOURCES for our Capital Improvement Program.”
This, thrown in after elaborating on “Our City’s financial health remains strong as the economy recovers” which obviously assured Jennifer Wesselhoff and Steve Segner continuation with an increase of the nonsense for destination marketing to the tune of $1.5 million.
The next performance at the first Tuesday council meeting in July might appropriately be Bring in the Clowns except they already sit center stage at every meeting in city hall.
And they also hope to develop a plan to FRANCHISE garbage and recycling services in our community.
TRANSLATED: Opportunity to disenfranchise residents from choosing their trash collection service but more blatant an additional opportunity to collect yet another FRANCHISE FEE from Sedona City Residents!
Sure here we go again – sock it to the non-tax paying residents to finagle more “franchise fees” out of them. And that isn’t taxes?
Give me a break and let me keep Taylor Waste Mgmt to pick up my trash once a week without charging me your blasted clever add on taxes – franchise fees.
City of Sedona = BUTT OUT
I want a complete divestiture of any stock, bonds, business holdings and other applicable vested and financial interests by all seven of the Councilors before this piece comes to the table.
Ask the City Attorney why.
@ NO SURPRISE HERE & Marty — Not only would we be paying another tax but competitive pricing will likely be gone. Note Moriarty’s sentence after the one about franchising. She says the move will lessen wear & tear on our streets from multiple trash trucks. Translation: One company will get the franchise. No more competition. Note also the subtle scapegoating of the garbage companies as being responsible for the state of Sedona’s roads.
I just left a heads-up phone message with my garbage company. I told them reason and logic will not work with this Council, and that they need to band together with the other garbage companies and hire a lawyer now to be ready for the inevitable.
Waste Management is high & our HOA let them go in VOC in favor of another. Try the phone book. Lots of cheaper ones out there. Better service too.
We changed to Taylor. They do separate bin for recycling pick up. Don’t have to take it to Sedona Recycles now.
We change trash companies about every other year, been with WM, NAWS, Taylor, and another that can’t recall. They’re competitive against each other, we get the best prices.
No city contract can beat it. It’s the fear of losing business that keeps prices down. City removes that (don’t give me bull crap about negotiating low for extended time, doesn’t happen, won’t happen).
Council, bad idea. If you’ve ties to recycling and trash money then you think it’s good.
Cost fixing is the byproduct of lack of competition. Google trash ties to organized crime. Competition keeps organized crime out of the picture.
Somebody tell that mayor of yours that the number of truck miles to pick up trash remains the same whether it’s one company or a thousand and the cost is strictly the companies to absorb. I will hazard a guess that your city roads are in disrepair due to poor maintenance practices, poor road and drainage designs, and lack of proper budgeting NOT BECAUSE OF GARBAGE TRUCK WEAR AND TEAR.
That mayor of yours will be looking at the city’s own postal service to offset the wear and tear of postal delivery vehicles. Those buggies are on the roads almost every minute of every day including overnight deliveries. Get on it, Council. You’ve got to take these road eaters down!
Like feedback – topics.
Thank goodness others are picking up on this latest travesty to dun the citizens of incorporated Sedona. After reading the portion “looking for funding sources for our Capital Improvement Program” it was difficult to continue on but it’s a good thing to know what’s in store.
Taylor Waste is a family owned and operated business in Cottonwood. They’ve served me well for many years now and my bill shows no sales tax or service charge. For those who contract with other garbage and recycling companies, no doubt you are equally satisfied.
Warren is correct. To blame the condition of our city streets on garbage trucks is nonsense. There’s been traffic counters on Morgan Road for several days and maybe, just maybe (providing they aren’t rigged) they will reflect the amount of traffic headed back to the Broken Arrow Trail Head on a daily basis. Depending on the time of day it’s frequently reminiscent of the Santa Anita Racetrack without the circular laps.
Some of you more mathematical minds and who are in the know could perhaps furnish the proposed allocated funds in the budget for the beloved “non-profits” as the beggar lines continue to grow longer every passing year. Does the City Council ever consider saying no, uh-uh, ixnay to any of the money-grabbers, many of whom do not even reside within Sedona City Limits?
Among the rather lengthy itemized list of taxes on my APS bill, included is Regulatory assessment, State sales tax, County sales tax, CITY SALES TAX and FRANCHISE FEE.
UniSource Energy Services (natural gas) over and above State & County: CITY UTILITY TAX & CITY FRANCHISE FEE.
Phone bill: CITY SALES TAX; CABLE FRANCHISE FEE. Water bill fails to itemize the taxes but they are there.
By all means, it’s way past time to sock it to those ungrateful peons who begrudge the city spending thousands on the Film Festival, Red Earth Theater, Art(s) Coalition(s) – how many are there now? Art in public places, and a multitude of no-return on investment programs featured via Parks & Recreations Department. Then, of course, one of the favorite topics on this web site: The now $1.5 million for the destination marketing contract with the Chamber of Commerce with nothing more than smoke, mirrors, and spin the bottle in their glorified and well-rehearsed presentations to the City Council. Without a VALID source and method of determination there remains no legitimate accounting of ROI if any such thing even exists.
Of course, those listed above are beneficial to those who participate. However, that by no means includes the majority of Sedona’s legitimate population, now does it? However, we ALL must prevail on and utilize services like water, natural gas, electricity, and even, Heaven Forbid, the idea of indulging in more frivolous luxuries such as telephones, TVs, and computers.
Come on, City Council. It’s time to cut the crap, return to reality, and honor the purpose for which you were elected. It’s extremely difficult to remain respectful when consideration is not reciprocal.
The opinions expressed here are my own.
Eddie S. Maddock
Ms Maddock can you please enlighten me as to what a Franchise Fee is?
To all above: How much more do we, as Citizens of Sedona, have to get dumbed down?
We are asked to believe the 7 dwarfs on council want to “take care of Us” as they look for all new avenues to tax Us in order to pay for their little self induced perks and WE are supposed to accept and agree?
Or in other words: when does a council come close to understanding their jobs and responsibilities revolve around Health, Safety and Welfare rather than those with personal agendas.
Now they want to change our garbage collectors to just one company only in order to get more money as a “tax” or franchise fee?
Isn’t the answer that the Citizens of Sedona stand up and Tall and tell the 7 that they work for US rather than the reverse?
Our homeowners association voted to just use one provider. Taylor waste provides excellent service at a low price, no city taxes or franchise fee. And we only have one trash truck per week. We have had this arrangement with North American Waste prior to Taylor. Our roads are still in terrible condition.
No tax on our trash please.
@Judy Stein, regarding the exact explanation of a “Franchise Fee” may I suggest contacting someone at City Hall. Maybe the City Manager, City Attorney, or a long term city staff member, such as Audree Juhlin, who might be far better informed than I or our constantly changing members of the City Council.
If they cannot adequately answer your question, how about asking the utility companies who bill us monthly for clearly itemized city “Franchise Fees?”
Thanks for asking. There may be others who have the same question.
Cheers!
To Tonyt, that sounds like a nice deal. How is that different from wanting to have one company for the whole city. Taylor could bid yearly to give us the cheapest price and we’d only have one truck each driving on our roads. I don’t get it, where’s the down side???? Can someone please explain what I’m missing????
Judy, simple answer. HOA volunteers, city paid, volunteers answer to neighbors, city paid permanent staff, one doesn’t benefit from pissed off friends and neighbors, city staff insulated from voters.
Got it?
1 truck? Call company and ask how many tony service your neighborhood and Sedona area – not one truck!!
Any ways big question is who benefits from trash dollars and recycling dollars in city?
Trash goes to county sites now , bet you somebody on council can’t wait for recycling to stay in city vs EXTRA GAS MONEY TO CHEAPER COUNTY FILL – can’t you hear the justifiers now??
Wake up people. Ask the right questions , demand right answers. Getting sidetracked on idiot wear and tear road statement plays in to their hands.
The difference is, we negotiated a contract with Taylor for either $10 or $12 per month depending on the size of can. If the city negotiated it they would add on a franchise fee and probably tax to our bills. What service does the city provide that is cheaper than without the cities involvement? I can’t wait to see what my trash bill would be with the cities help, $25, $50 a month? You would be told it would need to be high for the recycling.
I had a perfectly working paid for septic system, I now pay $54.33 a month. Oh yea, now the city wants to inject the treated waste water into the aquifer. Wait, wasn’t water pollution the reason given why we needed to connect to the sewer. The actual reason was developers could not develop without a sewer.
Yes, we only have one truck a week in our neighborhood.
Our roads have not been paved since the sewer was installed. Our roads are in dire need. To make them last a little longer our association paid for crack sealing two years ago that the city should have done.
Just another tax, nothing else.
@Ted
You must be a city employee.
You make it sound like volunteers and neighbors are a bad thing. Yes, I volunteer and work for free a little bit. I talk to my neighbors, I don’t need the city to “insulate” them from me. It’s called giving back. Something you would probably never dream of.
Maybe volunteers are bad for the city employees, who are paid way more than the retired residents have to subsist on.
@Judy Stein
A Franchise Fee is a tax that the City can legally charge a private provider of utilities/services within the City boundary’s.
Franchise fees/taxes are collected from utilities such as electric, gas, telephone, and cable service providers operating within City limits “for the use of public right-of-way and property easements”.
These franchise fees/taxes help offset the City’s general operation costs and the need for additional property taxes.
So what is the downside? Easy – more tax revenue to the General Fund of the City charging those fees/taxes. Typically a utility has no way to fight the fee as they just pass it on to their customers and no skin off utilities’ back.
An HOA can make all the rules they want until the City determines otherwise as to who the provider is.
In simple words: a Franchise fee is a money grab by a City at the expense of it’s residents. Check out your utility bills on all services you have at your home and or business. I believe the typical cost in Sedona per utility is at least 2% or more.
Hope this helps everyone understand?
Yea Tony T “just another tax” sums it up – neat and tidy. No need for another expensive feasibility study to figure that one out.
Amen.
At the council meeting yesterday during the presentation by Sudden Link of its proposed future activities, they reflected a $520K amount they currently pay out in franchise fees — but I don’t believe explained if that was for the general area their service covers or just a specific city.
The point they neglected to mention is the source of those franchise fees comes from the people using their service. It isn’t due to the generosity of Sudden Link to pay such a sum out of the kindness of their heart.
Of course this goes back to the accusation from this city council, certain staff members, and past councils that the residents don’t pay their fair share. BS.
Back to the businesses who collect city taxes, keep in mind they aren’t necessarily the ones “paying their fair share” since the source of those taxes they collect for the city come from shoppers —- which believe it or not includes residents. Businesses are complying with the law by collecting the money on behalf of the city. (same as Sudden Link)
That comment made by Sandy Moriarty in her Community Connection article, “looking for funding sources for our Capitol Improvement Program” while they continue to throw it away on wasted efforts like that teen night at Sound Bites and on a larger scale the farce of the contract with the Chamber that shuns non-member city businesses adds insult to injury.
The City’s 2014 CAFR Statistical Section provides a listing of “General Government Tax Revenues by Source, Last Ten Fiscal Years,” etc.
In FY 2005 the Total collected from all sources was $7,122,905 of which $564,575 was attributable to Franchise Tax collections.
However, by 2014 the Total collected from all sources had risen to $10,832,627 with Franchise Tax collections of $713,577.
Wastewater charges/collections for services rose from $3,193,393 in FY 2005 to $5,908,088 in FY 2014 (Ref.: Financial Trends, page 66).
What, if anything, has gone down? Pursuant to the “Sales Tax Collections by Category” data, in FY 2005 the sales taxes collected from Accommodations [3%] amounted to $3,191,717. But by FY 2014 the amount had decreased to $1,980,589.
Thats right, you pay for cable therefore you are a taxpayer!
The city spend’s hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars on our Youth (DAMN).
And damn that chamber, members get benefits, and non members don’t.
And sometime you even pay sales tax……..
OH THE INJUSTICE of it all…… OHHHHHH
@ Steve Segner,
It’s amazing that for a guy whose mouth is always open regarding city finances, you don’t even have the slightest idea what CAFR municipal accounting is. Would you care to have me prove this accusation?
@Steve Segner. Aren’t you the one that always tells us we don’t pay taxes? As you wrote: “Thats right, you pay for cable therefore you are a taxpayer! ”
Then, Please provide us with, as you call it, factual information of City paying thousands of dollars on our Youth that ever produced a financial Return in revenues.
Oh, and, Yes Damn that Chamber for taking away $1.5m in order to advertise for businesses who don’t reside within our city limits. Huh?
Oh Rick, there you go aegean, I understand that WE do not pay our fair share, anyway you cut it locals pay less the 40%.. of the cost to run Sedona, time to step up and pay for what we get ,, I would love to see a tax on each lot or home. steve
And just who is this steve Segner? Does he work for city council? Does the city council work for him? How is it he seems to have so much clout at city hall with all the staff and the special attention he gets at meetings? Will he be allowed to impose taxes on our properties as he suggests is such a good idea? I don’t quite understand. Will someone please explain, maybe steve Segner himself? Thank you.
@ steve Segner,
No, Steve, I didn’t go to the Aegean this time, I went to the Adriatic. But, I must admit that I do like the Aegean Sea better. Thanks for your interest in my recent vacation trip.
Steve Segner is a former dog food salesman from the L.A. area. These days he sells crap to the seven spendthrift dogs on City Council.
The only ones not paying are the chamber-lodging groups in Sedona @segner we=chamber-lodging. I pay you play with taxpayers money. Using taxpayers money for your private special interest group. Loser.
People… If you don’t like what’s going on, step up to the plate and fix it!! You run for council!
NFW… It’s easier to play armchair QB and sit back in obscurity and throw stones.
Oh come on, is that all you have Rick, no Phd. comments. no comments on my plan on a new tax.
To, in the dark, I and just one voice in this town.
steve
Only fouls with big egos run for council. They have Steve Suckner and Miss Jen as bossses. Not one with backbone.
Red Rock Fever might be compromised by Sedona Eye Fever becoming even a bigger attraction. With the number of world-wide web hits on this site maybe the city council should reconsider redirecting their Destination Marketing campaign dollars? Of course if readers believe comments made here which unfortunately accurately reflect the ongoing decline of quality of life in Sedona no amount of money will reverse the trend. While tourism might remain popular in spite of traffic jams and over-building (diminishing Sedona’s greatest asset – The Red Rocks) for sure it’s bound to discourage this as a place to consider for retirement. But that will elate council and staff since they complain about there being too many retirees already. Nothing like the feeling of being (un)wanted even as they continue to conjure more ways to make us pay for the privilege of serving under them. (Shouldn’t that be the other way around?)
You guys in control only walk this way one time, and while you continue to grab millions of $$$ from city taxes based on your pre-arranged deal for the half percent bed tax increase, the damage occurring is irreversible.
Be proud you snooty clique of elitists including the snob-mob of seven that you paid to get elected. Karma does exist so the story goes.
more great news,
Despite complaints about Sedona’s seemingly endless traffic problems, a nationwide company recently ranked the city best in the state for commuters.
Americans commute on average 25 minutes both to and from work, however Obrella, an insurance company based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, found Sedona’s commuter average to be 15.3 minutes, ranking it No. 1 Best Commuter City in Arizona.…