I attended one of the sessions hosted by the Town to explain the whys and wherefores of the “environmental fee.”

While the presentation was not aimed at doing so it became obvious that additional sources of revenue are required. At that time I made a personal commitment to make every effort to raise the awareness of every citizen in town and encourage one and all to become more informed on their own.

I have lived in Fountain Hills for 20 three years and am well past the age for retirement and have no desire to hold any public office. I do, however, intend to keep pointing out reasons we need to address the funding issue because this is a beautiful place to live.

My primary detractor claimed there are millions in the Capital Improvement Fund. There may be. However, it is not enough to handle the commitments already in work, let alone any unforeseen issues.

Conservative estimates indicate a budget deficit of nearly $2 million by FY 2019-20. The State eliminated the distribution of sales tax on construction items formerly credited to the city or town where the building is located, which means that unless all the materials purchased for the new adult living facility are actually purchased in Fountain Hills, we will not be seeing those funds.

Please keep in mind: it would take $40 million in increased sales to generate an additional $1 million in town revenue.

The reduction in services thus far has been unnoticeable, but there is nothing more to give. If we do not do something soon, more cuts will be mandated and they will be much more obvious; quite possibly resulting in, at least, a slower increase in property values if not a decrease. The time to find a workable solution is now!