By Jack E. Koepke
Sedona, AZ — Arguments for continuing Home Rule often rely on mischaracterizations of legitimate efforts to restrain the City’s increasingly aggressive pursuit of tourism through ever-expanding and excessive budgets. If Home Rule fails on July 21, Sedona will not descend into the dystopian scenario portrayed by Home Rule advocates.
The City’s current operations are already funded through June 2027 under the Home Rule authorization approved in 2022. Police protection, essential services, street maintenance and day-to-day operations would continue uninterrupted. Existing capital projects could be temporarily paused while the City determines its next funding path.
Several realistic options are available. The claim that Sedona would be forced to revert immediately from a roughly $100 million budget down to the state expenditure limit of approximately $15 million is highly speculative and unrealistic. It is a scare tactic, not a credible forecast. A far more realistic outcome is that the City would pursue a Permanent Base Adjustment (PBA) to establish a higher expenditure limit that better reflects current realities. The City could also seek voter approval through a one-time Override election, giving residents a direct voice in determining the appropriate level of spending.
A “No” vote is about more than simply rejecting another Home Rule blank check. It is about restoring accountability and meaningful public participation in decisions that shape our community. The goal is a future that reflects Sedona’s authentic values, heritage and small-town character rather than an unchecked commitment to growth and tourism.
At its core, this is a question of self-government. Sedona residents deserve more than a symbolic opportunity to weigh in every four years. We deserve a meaningful and ongoing role in budgetary decisions that affect the future of the community we call home.