Linda Kavanagh’s election flyer lists “concerns” as “public safety,” “infrastructure,” “good services,” “limited government and low taxes.” Beneath the icing, this incumbent’s cake is full of holes.

From the FY16-17 Fountain Hills Adopted Budget: “Based on a financial forecast for the next five years, the Town will be facing budget shortfalls totaling up to $5.9 million…The Town has diligently pared down expenditures while preserving the core services and amenities that make Fountain Hills a desirable place to live…[but] budget deficits over the next five years…will make that task increasingly more difficult.”

Budget challenges include:

*Increased costs for maintenance, repair, replacement of aging infrastructure;

*Relying upon economically volatile local sales tax for expenditures and capital improvements;

*Dependence upon State Shared Revenue to fund operating expenditures;

*Decreasing proportionate share of State Shared Revenue as surrounding populations grow while ours changes little;

*Lack of a growing, sustainable and diversified revenue base to fund ongoing operating costs;

*Potential state legislation impacting revenues;

*Retaining adequate staff for current service levels;

*Public safety costs constitute an increasing proportion of total expenditures, leaving less for other core services.

Staff annually provides a thorough report which articulates concern about these longstanding trends. However, our current mayor refuses to deal openly and courageously with this reality.

It’s time for new leadership!

Ginny Dickey's sole agenda is to embrace the citizen-driven Strategic Plan and VisionFH, working together to maintain the integrity of our assets and preserve our community’s safe, small town family atmosphere and scenic natural beauty.

After eight years on School Board and eight more on Council, Ginny Dickey knows how to make it work with what we’ve got.

Make the right choice for mayor: write in Ginny Dickey, then connect the arrow on the ballot.