We are looking for a fair and balance model, a balance in our community.
We are looking for a fair and balance model, a balance in our community.
I believe that we can all agree with this.
Unfortunately Sedona City Council hasn’t done that.
Our community is being destroyed.
After reviewing the policy and process approved, in place at Sedona City Hall, the root cause becomes more apparent. Connecting the dots is alarming as the policy, process and people (3 P's) are in place ready to go.
Some may say new elected city council can make that change, but this is impossible as if Sedona's Home Rule gets renewed August 2, 2022 the new elected officials hands will be tied and restricted under Home Rule.
Sedona's Home Rule removes the residents and small businesses from having a voice. It doesn't put control at the local level. It puts control in the hands of the City Council and City Manager level, allowing them to decide what’s best for our community. Picking and choosing who can be on a group controlling the narrative and outcome.
What about State baseline accounting does the City, Chamber and Lodging hate? Their control over the taxes imposed on us and how they can spend it.
The State Baseline is a standard accounting policy. A simple policy and process for the State of Arizona for finance accounting, Expenditure Limitation. Expenditure Limitation (aka Baseline No-Home-rule) protects the public and gives “we the people” a vote in taxes and how those taxes are used, as the Legislation requires.
The City, Chamber, Lodging keep on saying false narratives, flat out lies. Nothing is hurt without home rule if the voters want that program and or policy, they can vote to approve every year in a annual onetime override. Similar to how we vote for increases in school, sheriffs and districts.
How policies are written at the city level should provide a fair and balance policy reflecting the jurisdiction boundaries and state laws protecting you “we the people”. Sedona City council hasn't provided this. This is the other reason to expire home rule.
I’ll give you an example, Tourism Policy.
Sedona has no-voter-approved-tourism-authority or no voter-approved-tourism-district. The city of Sedona has no City-Office of Tourism, nor does it have a Tourism Advisory Council. The Sedona City council gives all control to the Regional chamber without the vote of the businesses. The Sedona Chamber can never fit a government-model-tourism-organization as 71% of Chamber's members are either not in tourism or outside the city. The City council hasn’t followed state guidelines and or laws discriminating against those inside the city.
The tourism policy program for Prescott and Flagstaff follow the state model, those having taxes imposed have a voice at the table. In order to change the policy and provide a balance here in Sedona, Home Rule must retire.
We are getting to the point of no return.
If we don’t stop this one-sided home rule train, the balance will be forever gone. Speak up, vote and vote for Sedona, your Sedona. We want a say, voice and vote on how our city taxes are imposed and spent. A policy that brings our Sedona together in a fair and balance policy. This can be done with a NO vote Home Rule in August.
Please vote NO Alternative Expenditure Limitation August 2, 2022