Well, here we are - right where the city council and city manager said we would be without a stable revenue stream. Councilmember Kyle Jones was right about "a perception problem". Vice Mayor Walters view that the recent vote shows the voters don’t trust their government seems evident.The Tribune’s editorial page today features an opinion by Nelson Cassaro of Mesa. I don’t understand his surprise to the city selling bonds to add new streets. It seems obvious to me that the bonds are due to the consequences of the vote, no property tax. Prior to May 16 when Mesa residents had the opportunity to pass a primary property tax, the city manager held public meetings along with councilmembers to discuss budget issues. The city budget and needs were thoroughly covered to demonstrate that Mesa has a need for a stable revenue source.A portion of the sales tax that was approved will be used for street repair and maintenance. This is inevitable and an ongoing expense for any city. As our population grows we must also meet the demands it brings. It seems only logical that new streets are needed to accommodate our rapidly expanding city.When the majority of voters decided not to pass the property tax, they also made the decision expenses that need to be met will happen by other means - in this case bonds. Mr. Cassaro’s view although well intended, may be the result of not attending the budget hearings. He says, "Their (city council) recent action to sell more bonds with no clear revenue stream shows utter disregard for the results of the May 16 general election". I don’t believe the bonds are disregarding the results of the May 16 ballot, it is because of the results - no property tax - that bonds are being sold. Citizens of Mesa were told clearly and multiple times that without a property tax - a stable revenue source, other means would have to be used in order to keep pace with Mesa’s growth, providing the necessary elements — bonds or a secondary property tax. Mr. Cassaro states that the council "just don’t get it"; perhaps it’s that some of our citizens don’t get it".
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