Cochise County Clarion

Local Newsletter

published BI-MONTHLY

Web Page: http://www.cochisecountyclarion.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cochisecountyclarion.org
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March 2015 Issue 28

The public should raise hell!

You are being taken to the cleaners and still feel dirty

The Citizens Advisory Committee is getting ready to present recommendations to

Council. Increase sales tax on restaurant/bars and retail. You might ask w
the cuts, there are none to speak of.

So consider the amount of money spent on the transit system. A total of $1.15 m
which $466,000 comes directly from the sales tax YOU pay when shopping in
Vista (the remainder comes from your federal tax dollars in the way of grants, wh
rapidly evaporating)
YOU (whether city or county) are paying $466,000 a year to transport
approximately 124 regular bus customers. Do the math

You can tell the City and the Citizens Advisory Committee what you thinkAll inc
no cuts? Or increases but only with comparable cuts? Or something else

Essential services need to be maintained, fire, police, road maintenance. But wha
Cove (costs approximately $800,000 to taxpayers who shop in Sierra Vista); what
bus system that costs approximately $466,000 to transport 2-3 passengers an ho

Time is VERY short.recommendations must be to City Council by April 1

You CAN comment, attend, or email your thoughts.

SPEAK UP or wit

silence vote for tax increases.

Comment: Sierra Vista Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SierraVistaC

Facebook search Citizens Advisory Commission Sierra Vista
http://www.speakupsierravista.com/
Public Meeting

Thursday April 2 Fire Station 363 675 Giulio Ce

Public Meeting

Saturday April 4 Sierra Vista Public Library Mon

10 a.m.
City Council Work Session April 16 4:00 p.m.
IF you cannot make any of these, email:
rick.mueller@sierravistaaz.gov
Alesia.Ash@SierraVistaAZ.gov
rachel.gray@sierravistaaz.gov
Craig.Mount@SierraVistaAZ.gov
robert.blanchard@sierravistaaz.gov

(Mr. Blanchard indicates he prefers contac

Chambers)
gwen.calhoun@sierravistaaz.gov
hank.huisking@sierravistaaz.gov

(more details on page 2)

1. It appears the options are Raise taxes or cut services; it is inferred that
response times of public safety personnel could take longer; that if they dont get pay
raises the police force will be substandard; multi-use paths wont be built (they cost
the city $96,000 per mile and taxpayers $500,000 per mile); parks & leisure might
close, etc.
Further, CAC is suggesting that the city move the $1.3 million in the Capital
Improvement fund to the General Fund to cover classification and compensation pay
raises. The capital improvement fund has been used for maintenance for the past
several years. So when the city needs maintenance money or new capital projects
they may propose adding a secondary property tax, allowing a project to become a
bond issue that voters could approve.remembering that it is YOUR home that is
collateral for the bond debt.
The issues are:
Street maintenance was identified as a top priority by the CAC, especially since the
condition of local roads can help attract or scare away companies looking to locate in
Sierra Vista. Streets are the citys largest asset and available state funding for their
maintenance has declined over recent years.
The CAC had varied opinions on Leisure and Library Services.
On the one hand, facilities like the Cove, library and parks can help economic
development efforts. On the other hand, many of these services and facilities are
naturally subsidized by tax dollars.
Multi-use paths present a similar issue, as their construction will require more city
dollars in the future but they are used daily by local residents.
2. There are no CUTS suggested to offset the $1,200,000 for the 8% differential for
salaries or the $600,000 in pension deficits. At this point the recommendation appears
to be move the capital improvement fund money into the general fund.
3. The wish list suggests up to $23,800,000 of increased spending (which does
not include the $1.2 million in salaries and $600,000 in pension deficits)
4. There are no CUTS at all.
One final note, the CAC has in the past started their deliberations 5 months
in advance of the April deadline. They could have started deliberating tax
increases in October.right before the 2014 election.

Where do you Stand?

It is time for the people to tell the CAC and City Personnel their desires. The current
solution is only a stop gap solution that will come up each time the City does the
budget. Not a long term solution upon which we can build our visions! Federal funds
and State funds are drying up, the City must face a long term solution. It will be
difficult now but will get more difficult as the years proceed and the debt grows.
Remember you have the political power to tell the City Government your desires.

Show up at these meetings

2. Political power; purpose of government (Arizona State Constitution)
Section 2. All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive
their just powers from the consent of the governed, and (governments) are
established to protect and maintain individual rights.