By Justin Clifton, Sedona City Manager
Sedona AZ (May 24, 2018) – The city of Sedona will conduct its 2018 primary election on Aug. 28 and the general election, if necessary, Nov. 6. Residents will vote on a total of five elected offices: one city council seat for a two-year term; three seats for a four-year term; and the mayor’s seat for a two-year term. A candidate who receives a majority of votes in the primary will be elected; the general election is required only if all offices are not filled in the primary.
Also on the ballot is the Home Rule proposal, officially called the Alternative Expenditure Limitation. It is a vote that will affect Sedona’s service levels, programs, grants and amenities.
So, what is Home Rule and why is it on the ballot?
The Arizona Constitution allows cities and towns to put Home Rule on the ballot so voters can determine appropriate service levels for the community. A Yes vote means the Sedona City Council will continue to set the city’s expenditures. A No vote would limit spending based a formula that starts with 1980 spending levels with adjustments for population changes and inflation. A No vote would cap Sedona’s spending for fiscal year 2019-20 at $13.5 million in discretionary spending plus $10.8 million for exempted expenditures for things such as existing bond payments.
City spending estimates for fiscal year 2020 are projected to total $49.5 million – roughly in line with city spending for the past two years – a No vote on Home Rule would cut spending by 51 percent.
Cuts would be necessary across a variety projects and programs, which may include law enforcement, transportation and flood control projects, code and safety inspections, and service contracts and grants for nonprofits such as the library, community center and community care groups, recycling center, and humane society.
One of the more interesting aspects of the state-imposed spending limit is that it has no affect on taxes. A No vote will not change Sedona’s sales tax rate, or county property taxes or any city fees, and the city will continue to collect taxes and fees. The state-imposed limit only limits spending, regardless of how much money the city collects or holds as savings.
Statistics from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns tell us that most voters in Arizona cities approve Home Rule. Eighty-seven percent of cities and towns, as of January 2018, are operating under Home Rule or a permanent increase in their base budget. Sedona voters have approved Home Rule seven times since 1990.
In the Aug. 28 primary, a Yes vote on Home Rule would mean that the city of Sedona will continue to adopt a balanced budget each year as required by Arizona law (ARS Title 42), with spending restricted to available revenues and accumulated savings, and that the budget will continue to be approved and adopted by the Sedona City Council. It means that funding for police, transportation and traffic improvement projects, flood control projects, parks and recreation programs, and grants to nonprofits such as the Sedona Public Library, Sedona Community Center, Verde Valley Caregivers, Humane Society of Sedona, and Sedona Recycles can continue at levels similar to current levels.
If you’d like to learn more about how the city sets budgets and pays for capital improvements and services, and how we ensure that our spending plans are followed, I encourage you to review budget and audit documents available from our Financial Services Department at sedonaaz.gov/finance. Each year’s budgeting process includes five months of analysis and discussion by staff members, review by the Citizens Budget Work Group, and discussions and debate by the Sedona City Council.
For 18 years, the city has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association, and undergoes regular independent financial audits by the firm CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and a state-mandated annual expenditure limitation audit. Sedona holds an A bond rating from Standard and Poor’s, meaning that the city’s “Capacity to meet its financial commitments on obligations is strong.”
As you consider the candidates and the Home Rule proposal on the ballot in the Aug. 28 primary, know that, regardless of how you plan to vote, we at the city deeply appreciate all Sedona residents’ involvement in elections, our many review and planning committees, public meetings, and as volunteers for us and our nonprofit community partners.
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36 Comments
I love the library. It is a constant threat that it will be closed if No on Home Rule passes.
The city of Sedona gave the Sedona Library about $400,000 in the last fiscal year. Wow, a lot of money to lose you say. I agree. One little detail, the library’s total income was $1,693,177 per their 2016 Federal tax return. Your property taxes provide the bulk of that. The library’s expenses were $1,295,279.
What did the library do with the city of Sedona’s generous support? They put it in the bank. All of it. The library’s net assets were according to the 2016 tax return were $6,140,496.
I’m all for giving support to needy non profits. But taxing us to give money to institutions that don’t spend it, and threatening us they will close if we stop giving them money they don’t need, is just a lie.
I’m running for mayor. I won’t give away your money needlessly. Vote No on Home Rule.
Tony Tonsich
May 25, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Tony Tonsich says:
May 24, 2018 at 10:33 pm Why would I debate Segner? He will just lie. I could show him a copy of the tax return I got my facts from, and he would just say it is fake. I dont waste my time with liars.
Tony, I said I would debate you on home rule, please do not change the subject,
you can say why Home Rule is bad for Sedona and I will talk about why Home rule is great for Sedona, then people can ask us each questions.
…
Could not be more democratic..
Tony, you are running for public office and you want to kill Home Rule, You need to show Sedona your plan and be able to defend it in public.
I’m sure we can get the league of woman voters or some other group to put it together. If you have a better argument against home rule then we all gain!!
I will pay for some Ads in Red Rock news to announce the place and time.
Steve Segner
Looking beyond the City of Sedona’s balanced budgets —
The current fiscal year’s Budgeted Expenditures/Expenses are $47,792,118 while Estimated Revenues are but $37,762,447. From: “CITY OF SEDONA Summary Schedule of Estimated Revenues and Expenditures/Expenses Fiscal Year 2018,” RED ROCK NEWS, Published May 24 and 31, 2017.
The City’s 7/01/2017 Beginning Fund Balance of $40,372,728 total is budgeted down to $30,383,087 as of 6/30/2018. FROM: FY 2017-18 ANNUAL BUDGET, Page 62.
Jean
One more time , the city is using money saved over the years just for projects.
Using saving not borrowing just sound conservative business practice.
The city has a balanced budget under stats laws and national accounting practices.
Jean, the city must put money in the budget if it wants to spend it, and every year Sedona “under” spends by huge amounts,one reason is that the city is under staffed and need engineers to over see budgeted projects and some projects take longer to complete then12 months.
J, Business is booming in Sedona and the city need staff to help with all the building going on and the new $30,000,000 Sedona in motion traffic project.
That money is put in the next years budget to finish the project. The city is well funded and has huge savings thanks to the bed and sales taxes.
J have you noticed that the city income comes in every year way over budget?
all thanks to tourism…..
If the bed and sales tax dropped next year because the city cuts advertising in state then the city council will just need to spend less next year….. That is why we have a city council.
Jean you may want to take accounting for and the local JC.
Home Rule allows Sedona to use it’s Tax income from tourism as it sees fit,
There is NO maintenance of strong reserves to ensure long-term financial stability! The City is overspending money saved.
Steve Segner didn’t graduate from high school, and I have a four-year college degree in Economics.
No body that I know is on board with the “Sedona in Motion” plan, where quiet communities will soon serve as the alternative to Highway 89A. No body in my neighborhood (below Airport Mesa) wants additional traffic and road construction in – quite literally – our backyards. Nobody I know wants to see Carrol Canyon despoiled with a huge street right thru it.
The City Council and Chamber are out of touch with the citizens of Sedona. The Chamber and Lodging council are not elected, but they seem to be calling the shots.
All we can do is vote the Council out of office and vote NO on Home Rule.
Sure a bunch of comments so far. Not sure all are about home rule budgeting, which Clifton is writing about. He is following orders from council to promote home rule for Sedona city budgeting. He reports to them. Home rule is not the only valid law abiding choice. Council voted to exclude them. So we get only a yes-no vote on their plan. Don’t they think we can vote intelligently if the others are included.Why hide the others ?
Back to Clifton’s writing.
Justin claims that the $49.5 million spending for 2020 is roughly in line with the past 2 years. It is not if my understanding for the audited spending for then was $33 to $35 million. At $14 to $15 Million difference that”s hardly close but miles apart. Is there someone out there who can explain this clearly ?Justin doesn’t.
Then in another scene Justin states that the $49.5 million includes about $10 million in new construction spending. In this handout there’s no mention for what. I think it’s meant for roadwork to correct congestion. However I have not heard that the program for roads has been approved and spending voted on for it. With 28 years of road design and construction experience I am able to say this road program is nonsense. In no way does it stop or reduce tourist and day tripping from still causing congestion after the money is spent. It’s not the cure. The hordes will continue to botch up our traffic system.. No incentive to so no results .
The council objective in jacking up to the $49.5 million level was to scare voters into a yes on home rule because the drop in spending limits for a no vote to state mandated $23.5 would dictate cuts like to the police force of dangerous amounts and affect our safety. But the $49.5 number is a phoney and not realistic It has no standing. It is slick math.
Do you think we’re playing on a level field ?
John Roberts says:
Justin claims that the $49.5 million spending for 2020 is roughly in line with the past 2 years. It is not if my understanding for the audited spending for then was $33 to $35 million. At $14 to $15 Million difference thats hardly close but miles apart.
John, Because the city must put money in the budget to start a project for the work it hopes to complete in that fiscal year, but in most years the project are not completed in 12 months, for various reasons,( THE CITY IS SHORT ON ENGINEERS) contractor’s run into problems, ECT.
The budget is $49,000,000 and will go up with the new Sedona in Motion project funded with the new .5% sales tax. to work on traffic and streets
Taking $23,000,000 from the citizens of Sedona is just nuts,
Lets look at a budget with $23,000,000 taken from it , and not deny that it will happen…..
No on Home Rule will stop all new funding, all road work, all traffic control, all funding for the local groups , meals on wheels, the parks and rec, and library, no street paving,I could go on and on.
John, give Justin a call he will be happy to answer any of you questions….
short list of No funding
Here are the service contracts and amounts for FY19:
Humane Society of Sedona $64,785
Sedona Community Center $169,122
Sedona Public Library $470,392
Sedona Recycles $100,000
Verde Valley Caregivers $35,000 +
And here are the small grant recipients and amounts for FY18:
Sedona Community Food Bank $13,000
Sedona Arts Festival $10,000
Sedona Fair Inc. dba Sedona Winefest $8,000
Sedona Historical Society / Sedona Heritage Museum $4,200
Plan B Foundation $7,000
Sedona International Film Festival & Works $24,000
Scorpion Booster Club $9,525
Canned Sedona $1,100
Sedona Arts Center $24,000
Running River School $1,020
Gardens for Humanity $1,200
Chamber Music Sedona $7,500
Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition $11,000
Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund $10,000
Verde Valley Sinfonietta $10,000
Sedona Chamber Ballet $10,000
Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters Inc. $9,955
With $23,000,000 out of the budget most public works would need to be closed and the police cut way back….. do the numbers.
Let me get this right, the sky is falling because Sedona won’t give grants to:
1) Sedona Fair Inc. dba Sedona Winefest $8,000 (Mayor Sandy is the Chairman and CEO) Conflict of interest?
2)Running River School $1,020 ( a private school which competes for students with our public schools)
3)Scorpion Booster Club $9,525 (Really, is it the city’s job to support high school athletics? )
4)Plan B Foundation $7,000 (supports wolves)
5)Library, see first comment above.
Yea, donate if you want , don’t take my money and force me to give.
No on home rule.
Under No home rule Summer came and programs like it are gone….. is that the kind of city we want? no summer pool, no parks…. yes no parks do the numbers….
The Posse- Summer Camp
Kids Summer Camp
Date: 06/04/2018 9:00 a.m. – 06/08/2018 1:00 p.m.
Location: Recreation Room at Posse Grounds Park
525 Posse Ground Road
Sedona, Arizona 86336
camp
Don’t Miss Out. Join The Posse! Parks and Recreation is offering a kids summer camp in June of 2018. New Curriculum! New campActivities!
Ages 6 to 11
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. snack is included
$90 per child.
Recreation Room at Posse Grounds Park (Mon-Thur) and Sedona Community Pool (Fri).
June 4-8 (Registration deadline May 30th).
This energetic camp is recreation based. Participants will enjoy outdoor time, sports, arts, great interactive presentations and all within the beautiful surroundings of Posse Grounds Park. Our goal is to introduce children to the fun possibilities encompassed within “Recreation”. Monday through Thursday camp will be held at Posse Grounds Park and camp will conclude on Friday with play time at the Sedona Community Pool!This camp is limited to the first ten registrants.
Registration is accepted through the Parks and Recreation Department at (928) 282-7098 or walk in at 525 Posse Ground Road (near the tennis courts).
Photographs
See photographs of last years camp, The Posse, 2017 Photo Album.
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I would like to remind all the returning city council members and others that I have an amazing research team, I fully intend to inform the voters of your no bid contracts, conflicts of interest, bankruptcies, IRS code violations and lack of fiscal responsibility. WE have no intention of letting our beautiful Sedona go quietly into the greed driven tourist trap and tax oblivion. It is OUR home. We will defend it with all legal means. Your time is done. Sometimes the wisest choice is to withdraw gracefully.
The last day to withdraw is May 31st.
Voters, vote NO on Home Rule. We need a new city council that will seriously question the Chamber and staff before they waste citizens money. I have a good group of volunteers, I need your support also. Time, money, any help you can give to save OUR town. I’ll give it my best, I can’t do it by myself, I need YOU !!
Tony Tonsich
OK
Tony, you ask for help but Tony you won’t tell us what your new no home rule budget is. How do you plan on running a city with no home rule. The city manager laid out the facts but you refuse to answer questions regarding how you will run the city with $23 million less in the budget.
Tony please tell us how Sedona will be better off by not fixing roads, no paving, no street sweeping, closing parks, not funding the library not funding meals on wheels No comprehensive traffic,
Tony your hatred of tourist is showing. It is not an us versus them world. Tourism will not stop.We would be better off as a city, to plan for tourism, work with visitors as they supply 70% of our income and the majority of our jobs. We need to work on transportation, on parking ,on fixing our roads and work on building a better relationship between visitors and residents. Don’t be fooled, Tony is just playing the Trump card, us versus them. Tony wants to build a big wall to keep the visitors out. Voters don’t be fooled by his hate and T party politics .
We have a great mayor in Sandy. Write her a check she doesn’t support hate. She actually goes to meetings and works every single day for Sedona.
I am accused of hating tourists and government. Nothing could be further from the truth. I was a tourist in Sedona once. I fell in love with Sedona.
I want tourists to fall in love with Sedona as I did, and to get Red Rock Fever. To want to live here. When many of us moved here Sedona had the highest property values in Arizona, not any more. Now, about with about 1000 less residents, and bumper to bumper traffic we can see that the present leadership has failed.
Some would have you believe that high taxes and too many tourists are the only way. I disagree. Some never mention the $2.5 million the Sedona Chamber receives from the city, with much of the benefit going to chamber membership outside of the city. They don’t mention Mayor Sandy is the Chairman and CEO of the Sedona Wine Fest, and received an $8000 grant from the city. I like wine, I don’t want the citizens to subsidize my tourist business. I’m retired.
I want Sedona to be loved by Tourists and Residents alike.
Ignore those who profit from the abuse of our beautiful town. WE can take it back.
No on home rule, vote in an entirely new city council.
Thank you
Tony Tonsich
Tony,
I read through this entire string and not once have you mentioned what you will do with a 23 million reduction in the budget. I like many people think the city/government needs to be reduced in size, reduce its cost and come to reality with the contracts including labor. Many of our voters will need you to explain your new budget which will need to include services to mitigate the tourism, as they are trying to do today, for the next 24 months as you claim until the reduction of tourism hits. Please share your plans as mayor so we understand and could consider voting for you.
To be clear your comment “high taxes” is not paid by the residents, most of us, including you probably, do not contribute more than a couple of thousands of dollars to the tax base of Sedona. When you reduce tourism and we have to ramp up tourism in the future to pay for the failing infrastructure, how will you increase tourism in quickly? Or would you purpose property taxes which would shift the tax burden back to the residences? Currently over 70% of the tax base is produced by tourism (I think it is over 80% myself) your plan will reduce that source of the city income (targeting the Chamber), so where are you going to cut, save and grow?
Let us know.
I want to start with the fallacy that it is a $23 million budget reduction, it’s not. For this example I’m going to go with round numbers. The recent Sedona annual spending was about $35 million. It’s home rule year, so they bump up the PROJECTED budget to $50 million. Under NO home rule they can only spend about $25 million, it’s a little more but I’m using round numbers. Then they say ” The sky is falling, it will be a $23 million cut !!””
No, right off it may be a $10 million cut. $2.5 million cut from the chamber, now it is only a $7.5 million cut. I could, and have written for hours on all the city waste. Those that keep asking me for a line by line conveniently forget the city prints a 400 page budget. You would not read 400 pages of my line by line.
One example, City Manager Justin Clifton said in a Kiwanis meeting I attended today that some cities do without a city manager and assistant city manager. Our city manager makes about $165,000 and assistant city manager makes about $135,000 plus benefits. Let’s say $350-400,000 for the pair if cut. If all of our excessive staff are such highly paid professionals, do we need highly paid management also?
Both 89A and 179 are state maintained highways. The city only paves about a mile a year of the over 100 miles of supposedly city maintained roads. At the rate they pave them, you would not notice now if they stopped. I plan on changing the priorities from tourists and excessive city staff to doing what a city should do, like pave roads.
The other oft repeated fallacy is tourists pay most of the tax. According to Yavapai county supervisor Garrison, tourists only pay 17% of the sales tax.
If you like how things are running, vote for home rule. I have a problem with people who inflate numbers and squeal when you offer reasonable cuts. How about you? Do you like all the taxes fees and traffic?
I’m running for Mayor. I suggest you vote NO on Home Rule.
So Tony . how are you going to stop 90% of the cars driving through Sedona on two state Hwy’s ? Guards at each end? ..
don’t even say stop chamber advertising because there in none….. unless you live in Chicago….. and for traffic Mayor Sand and the council we now has has started a $30,000,000 program that you want to stop!
Tony show us your plan for Sedona with no home rule…
Tony said
“90% of the traffic passes through town.”
ANDY DICKIE, CITY OF SEDONA PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
https://sedonachamber.com/home-rule-information/
No ON HOME RULE is no on roads and state control
Tell me Steve, when you advertise your hotel, do you expect the people that see your ad to come in the same day? Or, perhaps do they see your ad, book in advance and plan their trip, some up to a year in advance?
I think once we cut off chamber funding, it will take up to two years to see the full results.
The fact that the chamber is on the defensive and on a PR campaign to all the home owner associations indicates their desperation.
From Jennifer Wesselhoff today:
“We have wasted no time in getting tangible results:
We are asking the City Council for no increase for Tourism Bureau marketing in FY19. Instead, we are suggesting our scheduled increase go to help fund improvements to our traffic flow problems, which start construction later this year.
Our Sustainable Tourism Plan will be ready this fall, the result of a year-long partnership with the ASU School of Sustainability. Destination communities such as Sedona are adopting Sustainable Tourism strategies, preserving their communities and managing tourism while being mindful of the jobs and services a healthy tourism economy provides. ”
What results? We are going to do a study and not take more than last year?
Sorry Jenny, those aren’t results.
Steve Segner speciously claims there is no Chamber advertising except to those living in Chicago. Actually, there’s a billboard advertising Sedona on the Westbound Interstate 10 near Tucson, as well as numerous flat screen “Visit Sedona” TVs for travelers to watch while waiting for their luggage at Sky Harbor Airport. All are major contributors to the 90% of traffic driving through Sedona that require withdrawal. Free travel brochures advertising Sedona at Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts likewise contribute to a great amount of drive-through traffic and need removal.
From Jennifer Wesselhoff today:
“We have wasted no time in getting tangible results:
We are asking the City Council for no increase for Tourism Bureau marketing in FY19. Instead, we are suggesting our scheduled increase go to help fund improvements to our traffic flow problems, which start construction later this year.
Our Sustainable Tourism Plan will be ready this fall, the result of a year-long partnership with the ASU School of Sustainability. Destination communities such as Sedona are adopting Sustainable Tourism strategies, preserving their communities and managing tourism while being mindful of the jobs and services a healthy tourism economy provides. ”
Oh GREAT! The Chamber is now placing Sedona’s future on a college class of Tide Pod eating, Pink Hat wearing, Gun banning bunch of Snowflakes. Please pass the popcorn.
Anyone running for the Sedona City Council in opposition to Home Rule is going to lose big time. With the Red Rock News firmly in support of Home Rule it’s ludicrous to think a candidate running against it could possibly win. Further, no self-respecting Conservative, Republican or even a Liberal wants the big nanny state telling us what to do.
@Tommy
Using the Red Rock news as a support? That would probably be a negative. When the publisher of the Red Rock News sits on the Chamber of Commerce Board of directors, do you think there might be a conflict of interest?
You honestly think your “big nanny state”, which is false by the way, would be worse than out of control spending and gifting to their friends on the chamber and every so called non profit with their hand out? We gave city government our trust and an unlimited budget. They abused that trust.
Now we are told “Sedona is a tourist town.” Meaning residents don’t matter. We are told by Clifton the city manager” Traffic is our destiny.”
I disagree. It’s time to cut the out of control City Government and the chamber off.
Voting NO on Home rule is the voters telling the city NO. Not some “big nanny state.”
Now we are told ,Meaning residents don;t matter. We are told by Clifton the city manager
Oh,
T party .Tony,
He did not say that YOU did,
You are the only one saying “residents don;t matter” yes, you and you alone say it just like Trump says Mexicans are all bad, build a wall keep them out.
Fact: We will not let you build a wall around Sedona, it belongs the world, not just NIMBY’S
Fact: Sedona is a tourist town , always has been.
Fact: Sedona sits on two state Hwy’s
Fact: “T” Party Tony you know nothing about how government works only it should be smaller.
Fact: all cities help non profits as much as they can, That is what cities are all about. food banks and meals on wheels,
Fact: Traffic is our destiny. Yes it is and that is why the .5% tax to work on roads that you want to stop.
Fact:The chamber gets no hand outs, every dollar they spend is at the direction of the city.
Fact:you count the number of cell phones the city has, but you want to stop street paving?
Fact: Sedona tax income bed and sales tax has grown double digits for the last five years, no other city in Arizona can say that, and now the city is using it and the new sales tax to work on roads.
Fact: Sedona has save so much money in the past several years that now they can use the funds for large project with no borrowing or bonds.
Fact: you have not shown you Sedona will be better off with no home rule…. Show us you plan…Fact: cities don’t get smaller by choice… who are you to say stop,
Fact : T party Tony is just like trump, all talk no study, no meetings , no history of civic works, never on a city commission, and yes he knows that community development can be run by three people not 17…..
Look, to me it’s almost un-American to hand over the rule of your home to a higher authority. Forget about it. No city needs to be shackled to the constraints of the state. If elected officials are mismanaging their budgets then vote them out of office and let someone else take a crack at it. Don’t inflict upon them restrictions set by the state that would impinge on their ability to properly fund projects and adjust to changing economic conditions.
Home rule means HOME RULE! It is our right to rule ourselves. That’s why the War of Independence was fought by our forefathers. We did not wan’t the King of England telling us what to do. That’s why the anti-home rule proponents fail every time they attempt to foist restrictions on their municipalities. People don’t want anyone else telling them how to rule at home. It’s a psychological thing, ingrained in Americans, that no one has the right to tell us what to do.
I suggest candidates running on the give-the-state-rule-over-our-home platform to drop it immediately if they wish to win and offer instead solutions to the many challenges Sedona is facing. Present viable alternatives and arguments on how you will reign in the budget and help Sedona grow and prosper into the future. Going against Home Rule goes against the grain of what we in this country were taught is the basic foundation of freedom.
If the prior administration screwed up then explain how; and how your ideas would be better for the city. Going anti-Home rule is like branding yourself on the forehead with an inscription that says “Don’t vote for me because I don’t think we have the ability to rule ourselves.” There’s no need to hobble yourself like that if you are running for office and hope to bring fresh ideas to the table. Like I said. Going anti-Home Rule is a guaranteed loss. Too many patriotic Americans live in Sedona to allow the state to limit our ability to rule ourselves.
Prove instead you have the ability to manage the budget and lead the city through these perilous financial times. Giving up Home Rule to the state is a hopeless cause. And those against Home Rule know it deep in their hearts.
I wish every candidate good luck and I am sure there are many great ideas out there and talent ready to serve Sedona but don’t shoot yourself in the foot at the starting gate by handicapping your chances with the anti-Home Rule boondoggle.
Let’s hear what you got. Sedona is waiting.
great letter
@Tommy
Let’s start that without your full name, or even a last initial, you are a troll.
Next, you say ” Too many patriotic Americans live in Sedona to allow the state to limit our ability to rule ourselves.” Like our rulers we chose that won’t close our borders? Like those that started a war in Afghanistan against a bunch of goat herders with AK47’s and have not won in 16 years? Like the rulers we voted for that spent all the social security fund and left an IOU? Patriotic like that? Salute the flag ! Yes sir !! Now go get blown up in the middle east. Oh, the VA medical care, sorry, we can’t fund that.
You trust politicians? I don’t , I never saw one that told the truth.
When you have a guy running for mayor that wants you to guarantee the city can’t overspend, he has my vote. He’s not saying trust him. He’s not saying He’ll do the right thing. He’s saying cut the budget, and I’ll manage it.
You want to give unlimited funds so those in power can “rule ourselves?” Wow, they have always done what they said they would do in the past, right?
If you have a politician that says less government, and I mean it so much I want you to cut immediately when I get in, you want to vote for more of the same?
I’m sure with home rule they will give you more of the same, good and hard. Do you like the way things are now?
Hi Pete:
I am answering you personally on this. My full name is Tommy Acosta. I use my first name “Tommy” because most everyone in this town knows who I am. I am a featured columnist and news reporter for Sedona.biz as well as associate editor. I was the editor of the Sedona Times and numerous publications in Arizona and New York. I am presently a publisher and performing musician as well.
The patriots I speak of are those who see through the veil of misery and tears our country and this world is kept in; not the sheep and sleeping you refer to in your response.
Remember, those goat herders with AK 47’s took down the Twin Towers with nothing more than box cutters. They are formidable opponents who keep the profits rolling for those that invest in the machinery of war.
I have absolute respect for those presently in office here in this city as well as for those running. It takes courage, will and determination to run a campaign for public office and a true sense of community service to give up one’s time to do so.
I have no intentions of delving into the nuts and bolts of the various platforms of those running this election season. I only offer advice that bucking Home Rule is a losing proposition that will taint anything positive such candidates try to bring to the table.
Keep the issues separate. And consider this last thought.
If we give back to the state the power to set our budget, what’s to stop them from lowering the ceiling on a whim? Don’t forget what they did to the city with the vacation rentals law.
We don’t need an extra layer of government between us and our money.
Once again, let me make this clear. We don’t need a nanny state limiting the ability of our local government to govern.
If our current administration is screwing up, come to the table with a better plan and vote them out.
And more power to anyone that can guarantee not to overspend. But don’t let big brother decide how much. Home rule, rules! Keep it local.
Rely on our own talent and abilities rather than imposed limits by fat cats in the legislature.
Having to rely on state limits as a means of staying within budget is a weakness. We don’t need weak leaders hiding behind nanny-state skirts. We need leadership that does not have their hands tied that can make bold and creative decisions for Sedona.
I am sure there are some really good candidates still fogged by the illusion that only by eliminating Home Rule Sedona’s problems could be solved.
Drop the Quixote quest and stop fighting windmills. You will be marked and you will lose because no one will listen to you. Forget fighting Home Rule. Rely instead on your ideas and convictions.
Reply
Mr Accosta,
Let me point out a couple of areas I strongly disagree with in your statement.
One your statement “I have absolute respect for those presently in office here in this city”. I have virtually no respect for most of them. They allow no bid contracts, facilitate violations of IRS law that prohibit non profits like the Sedona Chamber of Commerce from engaging in businesses that normally operate for profit like ad agencies. Allow a city funded Sedona Chamber and Sedona Recycles to operate as regional businesses, supported primarily by revenues collected with in city limits.
The current Mayor, Sandy Moriarty is chairman and CEO of the so called non profit that operates the Sedona Wine fest, and received an $8000 grant from the city. If you absolutely respect that apparent conflict of interest I seriously question your judgment.
You respect the council that allows Jennifer Wesselhoff to say “it’s too hard to count where our membership is located” and get away with it. By the count of my researchers about 70% of the chamber membership is located OUTSIDE of the city of Sedona.
In an ideal world we would have responsible representatives and diligent management that would work for the best interests of the citizens. I see mostly council easily swayed by weak arguments and those working for their own and their friends personal enrichment.
I am not as you say “still fogged by the illusion that only by eliminating Home Rule Sedona’s problems could be solved.” No, but I have not seen any evidence otherwise.
Even if I win mayor, I am but one voice of 7. I personally am against Home Rule because I don’t think the city will survive as anything other than a traffic clogged tourist trap under another 4 years of the same policies.
Tony Tonsich
Mr. Tonsich:
Your opinion on the council is noted. If they have broken or are breaking the law then I would expect indictments, if the veracity of your charges could be proven in court.
Conflicts of interest? Heck. Look at the current administration in Washington. One could surmise conflicts of interest are about as American as apple pie.
Again, the word “apparent” prevails in absence of proof.
Beyond that, do you feel you need the imposition of state-mandated budgetary ceilings in order to remain in frame should you be elected?
That’s my only point. We should be able to self budget. We don’t need the state to tell us how much.
Good luck with you campaign.
A “NO” vote would limit the Town expenditures to the State-imposed formula limit, resulting in a 50% reduction in Town services, beginning in fiscal year 2019/20. Budgeted expenditures would be limited to no more than $24 million. However, if you remove exempted debt service, grants and highway funds, spending for city services would be capped at $13.5 million which would translate into a severe reduction of City services, including police, parks and recreation, streets and roads maintenance, transit services, development services, and water utility services.
Forecasted 2019/20 income for spending on City services is $49.5 million which includes $10 million for Transporation Improvements as part of the cities $30 million dollar “Sedona in Motion” plan to address traffic, transportation, and tourism crowding issues.
Tony please show us your budget so far you do not seem to understand the numbers….
Tony’s plan kill the chamber by killing the city…. NEMBY crazy
Tommy says “We should be able to self-budget.” How has this worked out?
The FY 2018 budget was “balanced” between expenditures, revenues, use of reserves set aside for capital projects, use of restricted grants and donations balances, and the reduction of fund balances exceeding policy reserve requirements, including $3.484 K in Wastewater Enterprise Fund reserves. A total of $1,056,950 in indirect costs were charged to the Wastewater Fund by various City departments.
One full-time position, two part-time positions, and seven temporary positions were added. Budgeted Expenditures/Expenses went up from $38,360,866 in FY 2017 to $48,752,118 in FY 2018. Economists tell us as a City’s budget increases so do its future taxes and fees.
Vote NO on Home Rule.
Jean said:Economists tell us as a City’s budget increases so do its future taxes and fees.
Wrong.
Business is great in Sedona, is the past local paid 50% of the cost of running Sedona, not is it closer to only 30% / 70% paid by visitors and business taxes and bed tax.
The extra money can now be used by the city council for long over due projects.
If business slows then I am sure the city council will reduce expenditures.
Historically councils have always been conservative in all financial decisions, resulting in the cushions both ways. Up until this year the city has been retaining a 50% general fund balance/reserve. That is unheard of – way in excess of what the vast majority of cities and towns have as a “rainy day fund.” The Government Finance Officers Association of the US and Canada suggests 10-15% is the standard.
So Jean the sky is not falling.
@steve Segner,
My Segner is always happy to say how all the cities expenses are paid by tourists. If that were so with so much excess available why was it necessary to recently raise the sales tax rate by .5%?
Yavapai county Supervisor Garrison said by the counties calculation tourists only pay 17% of the sales tax receipts. Who are we to believe, Mr Segner , whose group is affiliated with the chamber of commerce and receives $2.5 million a year, or a county supervisor?
If we vote No on home rule the camber will hopefully lose most if not all of the $2.5 million.
Or we can just give it to Segner and the Chamber. They are always happy to bring in more traffic.
My Segner is always happy to say how all the cities expenses are paid by tourists. If that were so with so much excess available why was it necessary to recently raise the sales tax rate by .5%?
One the roads need work and the .5% tax, will be 70% paid for by visitors . Great the idea we get the roads and someone else pays.!
Two: Yavapai county Supervisor Garrison said by the counties calculation tourists only pay 17% of the sales tax receipts.
YES,in His county not the city… Notice the word “Yavapai county and this in only 1/2 of Sedona …. The number is 70% get over it
Tony, show us how you will run Sedona with just $13,000,000 ? and whyare we better off?
Can anyone tell me one thing Tony or Donna have done “FOR” Sedona, Donna has been at war with, chamber, the city, her neighbors when she had her failed bakery the county, and Tony he has a smart neighbor that he goes for questions on city staffing,,,,,,,
Or we can just give it to Segner and the Chamber. They are always happy to bring in more traffic.
They are both ready to destroy Sedona to settle old scores…….. Sad.
for information on Home Rule go to azelections18.com no hate no bs just facts.
@steve Segner
I’m not interested in settling any “old scores”. I don’t want to be trapped in my home and not want to go out on weekends because it will take me 45 minutes to do a 5 minute drive. I don’t want to not be able to go to Flagstaff because a 1 hour drive becomes a 2 hour drive.
Sedona used to have the highest home values in Arizona, not any more. Now with all the baby boomers retiring Sedona has 1000 LESS residents than it had years ago. It’s one the most beautiful places in the world and greedy tourist businesses and the chamber have made it an undesirable place to live. Talk about a failure of leadership.
Sewer fees are twice as much as Cottonwood, yet the city has given so much to the Chamber the chamber has about $1 million in the bank. The chamber is on track to receive $2.5 million again from the city, and now declares it will only spend $500,000 of that on marketing. My guess is the chamber will have $2 million in the bank soon. We have overpaid the library so much it has over $6 million in assets. Many city staff make over 6 figure incomes, and work 180 days a year.
I want to take Sedona back for the residents. I loved this town and have lived here for over 27 years. I don’t love what it’s become.
Tony Tonsich
SaveourSedona.org
So tell us how you will FIX Sedona with out Home Rule budget please!
You say you will fix:
Fix Traffic
Fix the canyon
Stop traffic
FIX FIX,FIX,FIX, but no budget…..
Tony you will not give us a budget, just B.S. about being trapped you your home.
So let take you at your word, you said you would not ” touch the police dept. Budget” and by law you can not change the waste water budget.
Tony If you fund both you will have used up 96% of the remaining money.
Can you run the entire city with 4%.
Now you will say that is not true, so I went to the city and asked is 4% the number and they said 3% to 4% is the number.
Now Tony, I am around all week, lets meet the city manager and ask him how he will run the city with 4% of $13,500,000 leaders need to know the answers and you say Sedona will be better off!
Tony you make up numbers, and you will not answer any questions so let go to the city and get the numbers….. Tony time to drop out you have not a clue on what you are talking about and when we publish all your “rants” people will ask How you ran a H.O.A.?