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Vegas hockey, vote YES on new tax

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Hockey fever has taken over the city of Las Vegas.

The NHL expansion franchise is in its first season of play. It began playing just a week before the Mandalay Bay massacre where 57 people were killed Oct. 1, during an outdoor concert. The hockey team immediately went to the shooting site and offered financial assistance and manpower where ever they could.

That endeared them to the fans. The team responded to the fans' support. The Golden Knights, as they are called, won the Western Division and swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs.

To show you the extent of the craziness, you should see the giant team jersey placed on the replica of the Statue of Liberty at the New York, New York hotel complex. Just about anywhere you go you see the team logo displayed or worn on something.

I can’t imagine what the city will do if they go all the way to win the Stanley Cup.

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Well, I can't put it off any longer. Here's my opinion on the property tax issue.

I strongly support the establishment of a Town primary property tax.

We've come to expect a certain quality of life in Fountain Hills. But the cost of experiencing that quality of life is continuing to go up as each year passes.

Town government has continued to cut back on staff and services.

The town is in need of a new and steady revenue source. The choices are imposing fees for additional services, raising sales tax, issue bonds and a property

tax.

Of those, the primary property tax offers the "best" funding source. It would be the most reliable, most sustainable and the most equitable source of funding for town residents.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the $7 million property tax as the best method of paying the additional costs that will be confronting us.

The funds raised will be dedicated to (1) fixing our streets, (2) paying for public safety services cost increases, (3) funding a needed facility replacement reserve account and (4) replacing the fees currently assessed per parcel for environmental services.

State law requires a town to have a certain contingency fund to pay for any unexpected expenses. The Community Center and Town Hall are now starting to show signs of wear. Who knows when the air conditioner may have to be replaced on either or both buildings?

It’s probably been 20 years since the liner was replaced in our Town Lake, and repairs to our namesake fountain may be needed soon. Where do we get the funds for those kinds of repairs without an adequate contingency fund to draw from?

In my mind, there should be little question about this major decision we will be facing by May 15.

Vote yes for the establishment of primary property tax.