Here are a few thoughts about the new proposal for funding road maintenance.

In 2018, many taxpayers questioned how the town arrived at $7 million annually for a new property tax. The town’s own projected budget shortfall didn’t justify that amount. The $7 million in each year exceeded the projected five-year shortfall. No surprise, voters rejected the idea. This time, the numbers need to be clearly supported. Given governments’ track record, many of us are skeptical about giving a blank check. If you ask your employer for a raise, your employer likely expects some good reasons to fulfill the request. The same principle should apply to government.

If a specific amount of money for a specific purpose (roads) is justified, then the current proposal is much preferred to a property tax and I think will be much more acceptable to property owners. Big plusses: It goes away after four years and the money will go only for that exact purpose.

According to a recent edition of The Times, Councilmember Spelich’s proposal should generate about $18 million over four years. That represents a substantial increase to the town’s revenue and should pay for a considerable amount of work on the roads. Any continuing need beyond the fourth year can be addressed at that time based upon the actual results and justified needs. Again, the concept of “no blank check.”

The proposal for a road maintenance fee applied broadly to property owners is a reasonable starting point in the objective search for a practical solution. As taxpayers, we need to remain a part of the discussion and be sure to share our opinions. Looking ahead, this will be a topic of discussion at the Thursday, March 21, meeting of Fountain Hills AZ Tea Party. Stay tuned for details.