Mayoral candidates Jerry Miles and Jay Schlum reached out last Friday to Realtors for their votes in the March 11 election.

Experience ---- both as a former mayor and a tax attorney --- make him the best person for the job, said Jerry Miles. Miles served one term as mayor from 1996-98.

Councilman Jay Schlum, son of a Realtor and a inactive licensed Realtor since 1992, said he, too, has gained experience over the last four years to prepare him for serving as mayor.

Miles and Schlum answered pre-screened, written questions from members of the Fountain Hills Realtors Marketing Session at the Jan. 25 meeting.

Although billed as a debate, Miles and Schlum differed slightly on issues. The one exception was implementation of a property tax.

Voters will be asked in May to allow the town to levy a $4.5 million primary property tax.

A property tax stands no chance of voter approval this year, said Miles. He predicted the referendum would be defeated by a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 margin.

“We have to accept the fact that it’s going to be defeated,” said Miles. “What will be we do instead?”

Miles said the town needs to “tighten its belt”. The budget contains appropriations that should be eliminated, said Miles, referring to $250,000 budgeted for public information services to promote the town and council.

“Did you know there is money in this budget this year for pensions for our town council?” asked Miles. “I hope they don’t spend it.”

Miles said the town should postpone some capital expenditures. “This is not the time to spend money on frills,” said Miles.

Schlum said a property tax with reductions in sales tax and other areas is “a way to have a sustainable model moving forward.”

“It’s your folks’ decision,” said Schlum. In 18 years, if the town doesn’t take any action, the town is projected to face a $99 million deficit, he said.

Schlum described himself as a conservative who believes in needs-based spending. The town spends 15 percent to 20 percent less than other comparable communities, said Schlum. Miles challenged him on his figures because the town does not include contracted services, such as fire, police, water and sanitary employees in the comparison.

The choice between Schlum and Miles boils down to leadership style, said Schlum.

“I’m an inclusive, open person that is very caring,” said Schlum, and said he would involve “intelligent  persons in our community” to aid in moving the community forward.

As a former member of the town Planning and Zoning Commission, Schlum said he is familiar with handling development.

Miles said he learned the most important qualification for being mayor was the ability to count to four.

“If there are not four members of the town council in favor of what you want to do, it’s not going to happen,” said Miles.

Schlum countered by saying that “it’s not about what I want…it’s not about them, it’s about us.”

Both candidates said they would project a more business-friendly environment.

“It’s about the town getting out of the way at times,” said Schlum to allow development and businesses to move. 

“Town Hall will be known as being user-friendly,” said Schlum.

Town staff has to be convinced that business people are “not the enemy,” said Miles.

He mentioned a confrontation between a codes inspector and a small business handyman. The codes enforcer said the owner could not park his commercial vehicle with its business sign in his driveway.

Two vehicles with “Miles for Mayor” signs are parked in his driveway, said Miles, and he invited anyone to tell him he was violating a sjgn ordinance.

Miles said the town should be a facilitator, not a roadblock, by assisting residents in “making things happen.”

The town should revise the sign ordinance and improve upon it, said Miles.

“Businesses need to be able to tell customers how get to their their stores,” said Miles. Posting directional signs for monuments would be a goal.

Schlum said he doesn’t think the town wants to revert to the A-frame situation that existed a couple years ago.

“Let’s not go back to where we were with all those shabby A-frames pointing everybody down a different direction,” said Schlum. “After you have so many signs, you don’t see any of them. All you see is a big mess.”

He agreed that improvements could be made to drive more customers to businesses.