When I first saw that the town was going to have us vote for a new property tax for road improvements, public safety, capital improvements and replacement of the environmental fee, I was in favor of it. However, after closer examination, I realize there is more to that picture.

By state law, the property tax can increase every year by 2 percent compounded. In 10 years, the $7 million tax could grow to $8.4 million. Fountain Hills will have one of the highest tax rates in the Valley. That will cause our property values to decrease as people choose lower tax areas to buy and build so their monthly payment will be less. Do we really want that to happen?

But the worst thing about this tax addition is that it will remain in place forever. It is an increase of almost 20 percent in our taxes in 2018. Some town expenditures – like the new fire station and road replacements – should be paid for with bonds, which get paid off and disappear. Property taxes never disappear and never go down. Government always finds something to buy with excess money (like lagoons!).