According to EYE ON SEDONA FINANCES WITH COUNCILOR MIKE WARD (June 27, 2012), “In the past the city budget was set artificially high. For example, the FY 2008 budget was approved at $61 million while only $28 million was actually expended. Under our new City Manager…..our city budget much more realistically reflects the real anticipated costs of running the city every year.”

Great news about the tentative budget for next fiscal year coming in at $38,385,154. This apparently reflects the real anticipated cost of running the city in 2014-15.

May I suggest you check archives for past editions and look for editorials in that paper expressing the virtues of Home Rule and all the reasons to vote “Yes.” That paper’s connection with Jennifer Wesselhoff, the Chamber of Commerce, and her husband Rick (a partner in the RRNews online edition) should give you another clue about how meaningful your ad (except for $$$ revenue) will mean to them as they laugh all the way to the bank.

Even your idea for people to spend money running ads opposing the Home Rule option is cause for a surge of ads supporting a YES vote. Who will win besides those who want unlimited spending? The Red Rock News, of course. And you have the audacity to use Sedona Eye to solicit ads for a competitor? (and an enemy at that) Just when you think you’ve seen it all.

Opportunities for development of cultural park property? Negotiations with present owner? Development opportunities at wet lands? (Relocating Cultural Park; “agri-business,” “algae ponds.”) Adams writes of “green industry” after having just approved $270,000 for water wasting “splash pad?” (Did I get it right?) All of these suggested “visions” being offered for consideration by newly elected council in just a couple of months? Puleese! (Unless back-room negotiations have already been given a thumbs-up?)

For one thing all the “visionary plans” at wet lands are outside city limits which is probably a good thing. Maybe Yapapai County will display better sense relating to zoning regulations by laughing their whatevers off at the suggestion of some of these grandiose pie-in-the sky notions. Clearly the confines of Sedona City Limits were a hindrance to Adams but, of course, that didn’t stop him from approving millions in funding chamber of commerce to promote competing, non-tax collecting businesses outside Sedona.

He neglects to write about means to pay for this latest dream-wish-list that he so generously shares as what he actually believes is sage advice for the newcomers. Oh, don’t confuse the issue with nonsense like who will pay for what. Of course, it’s the poor fools unfortunate to be connected to the sewer who have been deemed “responsible for paying their fair share.” For what? A small detail that has conveniently been omitted from the pitiful discourse from a lame-duck mayor. Adieu, Mr. Mayor. That door can’t slam soon enough for me. However, I must thank you for one thing. You have given me valid, solid, irrefutable reasons to vote NO to Home Rule and I thank you for that.

(Maybe in the future I’ll read the articles before the comments but not to plan on it.)

If you are not registered with a national party affiliation you will not receive a ballot for the Primary Election unless you complete and return the “Ballot Request” section of the yellow notice or request a ballot online at http://www.coconino.az.gov/elections. Being registered as “Independent” doesn’t count. You must also check a box on the yellow form in order to receive the Sedona City Council/Mayor election and Home Rule ballot issue.

If you are not already on the “Early Voting List” you will not receive a ballot because the physical election will be just that, at a polling place. If you intend to be away during the month of August, please, please request an early ballot. Much is at stake here. The next four years of Sedona’s future will be reflected to a large degree on the outcome of this election on August 26, 2014.

Early ballots will be mailed on July 31, 2014. Make certain you are not cheated out of one of the few opportunities we have for our voices to be heard. Your vote can make a difference. In an election a short time ago wasn’t it Mayor Rob Adams who defeated Pud Colquitt by a mere four votes?

No on Home Rule

One time capital expenditures are not the same as normal annual budget items. Yes Rob, you did not build a new sewer plant or buy a city hall in the last couple of years.

Cash and cash equivalents ending June 30,2008 : $37,039,624
Page 38, 2008 Sedona Budget document

In the 2013-14 303 page budget document I could not find cash and cash equivalents.

On page 298 of the 2013-14 budget I could find total all funds year end of $2,598,454

Seems to me the City spent down our cash by about $34,500,000 over Rob’s tenure. Good job Rob.

They also included account #6009 Employee appreciation pay of $160,080 on page 84 of the 2013-14 budget. Six figure salaries just aren’t enough.

NO real cuts that I could see. But don’t take my word for it, take a look at the 303 page budget for yourself at http://www.sedonaaz.gov.

Or just vote no on the alternative expenditure limitation/home rule.