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Thanks for your analysis of the mayoral candidates' diverse positions on the budget.
Great to see a balanced news coverage approach to this mayoral race. You've made a financial picture appear understandable for the "average human" who doesn't have 20 years in banking, but is more artistically inclined.
Thanks for keeping the issues -- not the personalities -- as the focus of the campaign in Sedona. May the best candidate win!
azgal4sure
Dear Carl,I really enjoyed your presentation of the City of Sedona budget on your video blog and I thought your back round proved credible and your thoughtful presentation was very well done. I am a school board member and have been to many seminars and understand budget v. actual and how moneys can be managed. Our budget is actually much more limited than that of the city but I do too understand the considerations that must go into approving a budget and the trust and stewardship involved in working with the public's money. The one part of your conclusion that I disagreed with was that "they were both right?" Rob, in an attempt to bring a hot topic to the forefront was obviously, in the beginning of the campaign completely ignorant about the budget process. Huge Red Flag! As a council person for 2 years he not only should have understood he should have apologized and stopped the attacks on the city and on the Mayor when he was shown to be "screaming fire." At this time we are cautious, (10%decrease in projected revenue built in), solid, with a hefty reserve. These were all the results of Pud's fiscal policy.
Yes, there are issues in our city but Adam's attacks were strictly a mud throwing tactic and to say that both candidates were correct was curious to me. If you are going to go through tough issues you have to make tough choices. I think Adams has some qualities that can help the city but on this one you pandered and misled your readership. I could not find a way to go on your website to post this so I am contacting you now. I am only writing as an individual with a 30 year history in our community and I was here during the waste water fiasco. We would have been a wealthy community if not for a few stubborn individuals who saw waste water as a way to stop "growth" "closing the door to more people." Keep in mind, the budget is a moving target and planning ahead is always essential but Adams was playing "Chicken Little" and scaring the public and that was uncalled for and certainly not what I am looking for in Sedona's next Mayor. Thank you again for all your hard work and time on the budget, again nice work. I just don't understand your conclusion.
Carl's email reply to C.H.
Sedona, prior to incorporation in 1988 and to this day, is the beautiful step-child of both Yavapai and Coconino Counties. They are happy to take our money but do very little to help with our infrastructure. ADOT, of course, would be the major funding source for the repairs and realignment of 89A in west Sedona along with lighting, sidewalks, bike paths.. What we would primarily be responsible for would be under grounding utility lines and other beautification projects that Sedonan's demand but do not want to pay for. (What else is new?) It is not up to the City to institute a property tax that is up to the voters and I have not seen or heard anything about that either. Lots of talk for many years about property taxes and very little action. History has shown us that funding mechanisms come and go in various forms, and need and with political clout. I also think that there are other revenue streams that can be looked into that do not include raising taxes. Bonding does have an end to it and I like that better than a % property tax. It is specific to projects and voters can pick and choose. I doubt that we are going to see much money from ADOT in the next 10 years. Their expenditure for 179 was a huge part of the northern Arizona budget for the 5 year plan and while I was here when they 5 landed 89A in west Sedona it still functions, not particularly with great safety but apparently that is not a concern to some of the voices in the Sedona area anyway. If I were ADOT I would be really sick of us anyway.
We can only predict what we know and I was just trying to point out in my letter to you that while we have work to be done, we always will. People will continue to come and with good financial planning we will get what we can afford and need for another 30 years of my lifetime. My point was confusing people and making a political issue out of the budget, at this time, was irresponsible and ignorant. Rob should have found a viable issue to debate that does not demean city staff and the direction that Pud has taken us in the last 4 years. Few people take the time to learn, as you did, how city financing works and what the consequences are of poor financial management. Pud is fiscally conservative. She has shown that on many occasions when Rob has lobbied to finance the Cultural Park (crazy idea) cooler heads have prevailed. Anyway, the projects will get done, government works at glacial speed and I have learned that with experience. I waited 15 years for 179. Take care of yourself and enjoy your Mother's Day weekend.
Southwest Inn Sedona
