As required by State Law, every four years the Sedona City Council has put Home Rule on the ballot as the best option for our community. It’s that time again. Here’s the ballot argument I submitted.
Vote YES on Home Rule (Alternative Expenditure Limitation)
Home Rule has been approved by voters since 1996. Financially, Sedona is in great shape. Most tax revenues are paid by tourism, the budget is balanced, there is little debt.
Under Home Rule, the City can spend only what it receives, and it funds locally set priorities. Without Home Rule, Sedona must comply with a state-imposed spending formula that ignores actual needs or revenues.
Here’s what’s at stake: Sedona’s budget is $103 million; the state limit would allow only $23.6 million, a 70% cut. Spending on police, roads, and parks would be reduced. Revenues would still be collected but could not be spent. Important needs would go unmet.
Some argue to let Home Rule fail; a one-time override vote is possible. But it’s a complex, uncertain, and expensive process. And if the override fails, the consequences would be bad.
Another future option is called permanent base adjustment. It’s a worthy alternative, but it’s not on this ballot. This option should be considered before the next Home Rule vote in four years.
Home Rule keeps spending decisions under local control. Home Rule works for our community.
Vote YES on Home Rule.
Submitted by Pete Furman
Don’t let candidates for Sedona City Council get away with just saying ‘they’ll do whatever the voters decide on Home Rule’. Insist that they state their preference and defend it with cogent arguments. Being on Council is not easy – decisions must be made in the best interest of the entire community.