On Oct. 30, 2017, I proposed a designated fee instead of a town property tax. I received replies from council members that a fee had been looked at and was rejected, as it would be unfair to charge all property owners the same fee regardless of value or size.

I disagree with the council member who said, “We didn’t pull the amount out of the air,” in reference to a town property tax. Here is what was reported in The Times and in the minutes of the meeting on the tax amount: One council member proposed $8 million, another $4 million. Still another said $8 million was not enough, a fourth put up $7 million and it was passed. Doesn’t that sound like they just pulled it out of the air?

FY 2013-14 Capital Projects had $8.2 million for Saguaro Blvd. reconstruction. Can you believe that bond will be paid in full by the year 2020? All that will be left on our total bond debt will be $400,000.

The town just had a study; a survey done on all our roads. I believe the report stated it was best to repair our best roads first. It will be less expensive to bring them up to a like-new condition. Then repave the worst roads first, where needed, not by zones. I believe voters are seeing how fast we paid off the last bond and may vote for another $10 million bond.

Since this year’s budget has almost $4.5 million for road maintenance and repair, and if we pass a new bond, millions less should be needed for roads in future years.

Predictions: 2009, $100 million debt by 2025; 2017, $6.4; now by 2024, $1.7 million? What’s next, no debt? Town’s surplus net worth in 2016 was $593,519; in 2018, $652,117. Without a town property tax – not bad.