Regarding the proposed property tax, there is always an alternative to raising taxes for increased revenue; it’s called “spending discipline.” For those of you who like that alternative, maybe it’s time to elect or hire the people who know how.

Take Stafford, Texas, as an example. For a somewhat equally sized town, they have no property tax and rely on sales tax alone, which just so happens to be lower than Fountain Hills (combining state and county). According to The Houston Chronicle, Stafford has managed to pay for city services, lower its debt, accumulate a reserve of about $10 million, construct a new convention center and build a police and fire complex.

For those who would say that this is an unfair comparison, I would like to rephrase a saying that hung on a wall in a long-past business (lost because of tax increases?) called The Little Café. (Those of us who “grew up” here remember). “Rule #1 - There is always an alternative to raising taxes. Rule #2 - If you would like to raise taxes, see rule #1.”