For those who believe that bonding our way through the town’s budget shortfall is the better solution, remember that bonds carry interest. Bonding cannot be used for public safety or any other operating costs. An annual property tax levy eliminates the need for more debt.

This ballot resolution establishes a flat annual dollar amount – not a mill rate (percent) as is common in other states. Town councils can only increase the levy by 2 percent a year, if they so choose.

Most of the town’s paved roads were constructed in the 90s, making them well past their useful life without considerable repair. Going cheap on road and infrastructure maintenance is why we’re in the mess we’re in today.

Most of our cash on hand is dedicated to paying for the new fire station that will more adequately serve our Eagle Mountain neighbors. That facility is being constructed with no debt and is what our many fiscal conservative taxpayers have insisted on for decades. This new funding supports a well-established conservative “pay as you go” philosophy.

The Town of Fountain Hills will survive a failure of the property tax vote, but the quality of life we enjoy so much will not survive. We have a quality of life I’ve enjoyed for 36 years. Our roads, public safety and parks help define our quality of life. It’s why I moved here – it’s why I stay here. Anything less would no longer be Fountain Hills.

That’s why I’ll vote yes on May 15 to ensure that the funds needed are available to simply protect and maintain what we all love about this beautiful slice of Arizona. I urge all those who really love our Fountain Hills quality of life to do the same and vote yes when your ballot arrives by mail.