Unfortunately, my questions emailed in for the debate were not included in the over 60 responding to a request for questions if anyone in the community wanted to do so. I had good questions, some answered in part — I have even better comments.The bottom line is, Councilmember Rawles made incorrect statements and assumptions. Speaking at a rally of 70 supporters to keep Mesa safe just prior to the debate last night, former Police Chiefs Dennis Donna and Jan Strauss AND United Mesa Firefighters President Brian Jeffries made it very clear, without additional revenue, Mesa’s essential city services cannot keep pace with growth.Proposed cuts Councilmember Tom Rawles suggested do not solve the ongoing financial problems or the future additional funds the City will need for Police and Fire support.Mesa’s Police Department are not fully supported because of the decrease in civilian support. About 60 vacancies, almost 12%, are not funded in an attempt to help the City balance its current budget. Support positions are critical in that they relieve officers of administrative duties and allow them to do their primary jobs. Most people don’t realize the amount of paperwork involved in almost all, if not every activity officers encounter!I understand the Fire Department is in need of additional Fire Stations to serve our current community and for Mesa’s future growth — that growth is not anticipated, it will happen….it is happening.To complain about Mesa’s spending is inaccurate and not fair. Compared to the nation’s top 50 cities, Mesa is the third cheapest city for the cost of government. The first two, and only two cities where citizens pay less for government are Arlington, Texas (oil rich) and Las Vegas, Nevada (gambling rich). Some of us may be supporting Nevada’s city government every time a visit is made to any city in Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, Laughlin, and Reno. Invest in Mesa!Selling the city’s water farm in Pinal County, whether all or part, won’t solve Mesa’s ongoing revenue stream challenges. A shortsighted, short-term solution may not "hold water". Our city may need this water in the future, especially in a drought cyle! Last night Councilmember Tom Rawles stated supporters of Question 1 and Question 2 are "elitists." As a retired citizen of Mesa, I am interested in the best for Mesa and for myself. That means Police, Fire, and all that goes with it, to fully support their service to the community - which is ensuring public safety. Libraries that are fully functioning, whose patrons are of every age, is a no-brainer. Safe streets, unquestionably, a must.It appears to me the finger was pointing in the wrong direction - the other 4 pointed to Councilmember Rawles who appears to be the elitist. He can afford these "luxeries" and doesn’t need city government or a stable revenue source.
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No new fire stations in the east Mesa. Library branches closing. Roads and sewers in a current state of disrepair. City Museams closing. Why would any city worker stay in Mesa when there has not been a cost of living raise for three years. I am scared to see what happens to my property value. The anti-property tax message is cut services because of overspending. If the property tax does not go through, we will lose half of our already over worked Police force. Why would Officers stay in Mesa where there are no raises and benefeits have been reduced when they can simply go to another Police department in the valley. Loyalty? Please, a persons first loyalty is to their family. I am scared to see whatt happens if my family has an emergency. City workers are at a breaking point!
I would suggest any family loyalty would be better displayed by protecting the property that covers their heads - which the City of Mesa wants to impose upon by attaching a property tax to it - which has to be paid no matter the income level of the family.
“In December, the council was leaning toward only seeking a sales tax increase. That
I agree with Mike. If you are interested in putting your family first you will be happy to do your share for a safer, family friendly city. To suggest placing the burden on those that make purchases to fund our city budget through taxes, is unequitable. The tax rate would be huge to make up the difference and it’s impractical.
Everyone has the benefit of police and fire service. We have protection from those willing to step out everyday, 24 hours a day, not knowing what or who they will face. Impaired drivers, domestic violence, crime, gangs, drugs, prostitution, hostage or suicide attempts, tickets to speeders - especially school crossings - being hit by a car while outside their vehicle. A simple phone call brings help to your home in minutes.
There are so many layers of necessary people that make that possible — a call center that serves police and fire are staffed 24 hours a day — for anyone that may call. Lives are saved.
Fireman and paramedics on call 24 hours a day in case of fire, a child drowning, breathing and medical problems, fire stations get drop-ins, calls for help in situations we don’t realize. Needed fire stations across Mesa: two in west Mesa, one north, two central, and two NE and four SE. We need the funds.
We can go to a park, visit a library, enjoy the free activities offered at the Art Center, drive on Mesa streets, the freeways, in the future park and ride the rail if you commute to work. We buy food without paying tax, stroll through air conditioned malls, enjoy the ammenities.
All this is free or cost effective. That is the problem, it appears there are those that like it this way and not bashful about demanding it stay the same. Who would want to give up free services if you can convince everybody else this is the right thing to do?
The City wants and needs to keep up the pace with our neighboring communities for a very simple reason. No one will be shopping in Mesa if we have nothing to offer.
To put a negative spin on a primary property tax is unproductive and feeds the fear of gross negligence by ethical, knowledgeable people. To continue to bring up topics that are not an issue, to ignore and complain about the majority who wanted and paid for the Art Center, to blame a handful of people is a bit ironic — those that oppose the loudest aren’t even interested in contributing toward making Mesa a viable city to live in, or a safe city to live in.
With our antiquated sewer system in many areas, a problem that will be on-going like street repairs, I’m curious as to how these will continue to be paid for. Even with the safeguards, a cap on the amount collected, and the real potential of the cost going down per property owner as our population rises — is not enough to satisfy the skeptics.
From our history, I see the sad successes of those that made certain there would be no primary property tax. We’re the cheapest city to live in, we’ll continue to be the cheapest city to live in even with the primary property tax. We each will pay more if a secondary tax is put in place. The percentage is higher and the amount we are taxed on is higher.
Think smart — vote yes on Question 1 and Question 2.
Stephen what are you going to do when there is an exodus of Police Officers going to other cities. They are now calling Buckeye Police Department “Mesa PD East.” The Officers we are losing are experienced Officers with multiple years on the department. We need to do something to retain our employee instead of being a training ground for other cities. Talk about a waste of taxpayers money. It costs $100,000 to train an Officer. To offer no incentive to stay in Mesa we are giving money away to other communities when an Officer leaves. That is the reason why Mesa cannot compete against other Police agencies in the valley for new recruits. Why go to Mesa? You can go to Phoenix and make much more. You get what you pay for. Mesa is 47th out of the 50th largest cities in the United States on spending. How is that oiverspending. Our home values will plummet once we close museams and libraries and Police and Fire response times increase. Our Homewoners Insurance will go up with longer response times. Mesa is and will continue to be the laughning stock of the valley!!!!