According to the Arizona Department of Revenue’s most recent calculations, the City of Sedona’s per capita debt of $5,507.45 is the fifth highest of Arizona’s 91 cities.

The bed taxes collected for FY 2013 when compared with FY 2012 only increased by a miniscule .54%. Five out of six months from Jan to June 2013 were in the red.

Here’s what the Mayor wrote a citizen concerned because the Council is very seriously considering a city property tax secured by GO-Bonds:

“Hi [name],

The City’s finances are in good shape.

The problem is, we are looking at multi-million dollar projects like storm-water management that need to be expedited in order to protect property and the safety of our citizens. We do not have the ready cash [they’ve been spending it] to expedite these projects.

That is why we are considering other options.

Rob”

In addition to cutting back on spending, the City Council must change its Ordinance mandating Development Impact Fees be used for parkland purchases. Future fees must go for uses other than parks. Per state statute, ARS 9-463.05 DEVELOPMENT FEES; IMPOSITION BY CITIES AND TOWNS; etc: Municipalities can charge Development Impact Fees for the following facilities that have a life of over three years or more: water, wastewater, storm water, streets, Police and Fire, parks, Libraries.

Your reasoning is sensible but unfortunately not the way things work. It’s the handful of people who show up at meetings and plead their case before the city council that DO have their way.

Case in point: Chamber of Commerce. A mere 6 or 8 people spoke in support of giving the C of C over one million $$ and who knows how many out of the 6 will profit such as in producing ads or something down the road? In a way it’s still the “silent majority” who continue to get the shaft as thousands of our tax dollars are frittered away, such as this contract with the chamber when there is absolutely no accountability or even a plan on how “they” will spend all of that money.

Of course the property on Brewer Road will be claimed either by condemnation or purchase by the city. Where will the money come from to create the “visionary” park?

Contributors to Sedona Eye can only offer facts but that seems to be something the city council or staff do not want to hear. Their “facts” are reflected in the glowing report of our Mayor who is at least truthful enough to admit the shortage of money for storm drainage and whatever else is really needed by residents of Sedona. Oh, but I forgot. We, the residents, contribute nothing to the tax base. Since when?