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Remember they tell us they are not royal rulers but rather public servants. If you believe that I have a bunch of land in Florida that I would like to sell you.
Rememember it's not about good government, it's about giving the special interest groups the pay back they deserve for helping get the current members of the Glendale City Council into power. [ie: Phoenix Coyotes and National Hockey League] Glendale approves property-tax increase City Council also OKs 2-tiered sales-tax system by Lisa Halverstadt - Jun. 29, 2012 10:08 PM The Republic | azcentral.com Some Glendale City Council members warned residents that tax increases are better than the alternative. A five-member majority this week approved a secondary property-tax hike and added a two-tiered sales-tax rate that exempts purchases over $5,000 from an already approved sales-tax increase. The property-tax increase, which will be $1.68 for every $100 of assessed value, will appear on resident's bills in October. The sales tax will have customers pay 2.2 percent on large purchases rather than the 2.9 percent increase approved earlier this month. The sales-tax increase will be effective in August. Mayor Elaine Scruggs, who voted against the sales-tax increase earlier this month, joined the majority in passing the two-tiered system. She said it was at least closer to what she favored: no sales-tax increase. Council members who supported the increases said they were essential to Glendale's future. They expressed concern about a business group gathering signatures to place an initiative on the November ballot that would reverse the sales-tax increase and require voter approval on future increases. Staff project the sales-tax increase would add about $23 million to city coffers in the upcoming fiscal year. If the measure was repealed, Councilman Manny Martinez described potential cuts to the police and fire departments and added that rather than simply cut library hours, the city might be forced to shutter libraries. "I want everybody to understand exactly what we're faced with," he said. The council opted for the two-tiered sales tax after business leaders were concerned shoppers would avoid big-ticket purchases in the city. Nick Wood, an attorney representing Sands Chevrolet, thanked council members for "a great compromise." Mayoral candidates Manuel Cruz and Jerry Weiers said they supported the tweak while Sahuaro District council candidates Diane Douglas and Anthony Kern criticized it. The council approved the property-tax increase to help the city pay its bond debt on buildings including city aquatic centers, public-safety facilities and flood-control projects. Councilwoman Joyce Clark urged residents to remember their appreciation for city properties when they pay increased property taxes. "There's not enough money coming in to pay the bill, folks," she said. [Translation - we are not stealing enough money from the taxpayers to give the special interest groups who helped us get elected the amount of money they deserve] Drastic drops in home values have challenged Glendale and other Valley cities. In 2010, Glendale took in $29 million in secondary property-tax revenue, which is expected to drop to $15.7 million in 2013. Meanwhile, last year the city began seeing its bond debt climb. The increase means a Glendale resident with a $176,000 home will pay $296 in secondary property tax rather than $242, an amount city officials said is still less than a homeowner paid during the real-estate boom. With the increase, Glendale's combined property-tax rate will be $1.90 per $100 of assessed valuation. Some other Valley cities also are expected to increase property-tax rates this year to offset lower home values. Tempe's combined rates will go from $1.79 to $2.14 while Scottsdale homeowners will pay $1.23 per $100, up from $1.09. But the increase will push Glendale's secondary-property tax rate higher than most other Valley cities. |