I support the proposed primary property tax as a good solution to provide a revenue stream to meet the town’s needs, now and in the future.

Fountain Hills seems to attract a growing number of part-time or part-year residents. I’ve developed friendships with many fine people from other states and Canada.

But, there is a dilemma: part-year residents only pay for town services through our local sales tax. Those sales tax collections occur only during the three to six months they live in Fountain Hills. In contrast, part-year residents receive year-round police and fire protection for their property. Likewise, streets are maintained year-round. It’s not like cable TV. Town services cannot be shut off when part-year residents are not here.

There is an ironic twist: part-year residents already pay current property taxes that include money for Fountain Hills public schools, Maricopa County Community College and for the Sanitary District, just like any other full-time residents.

Why not the town?

Why can’t part-year residents support the police, fire, street maintenance, parks and recreation, and our critical public infrastructure on the same basis as full-time residents?

This is a fairness issue.