There is no justification for a $7 million increase in property taxes, as proposed by town government.

This is a 41 percent increase to the operating fund budget currently set at $16.9M. The FY 17-18 proposed budget presented by the town estimates the operating fund budget shortfall at 3.5 percent per year for the next four years. How can anyone justify an immediate 41 percent increase to cover a 3.5 percent shortfall?

The rationale offered by the town relies on a 10-year crystal ball of worst case assumptions with vague references to potential pension shortfalls, reduced fund sharing from the state and unspecified aging infrastructure. Please vote no on this proposal. There will be plenty of opportunity over the next 10 years to make budgetary adjustments as the needs materialize.

The residents have been accommodating in approval of bonds for education overrides and capital projects for facilities and street paving.

Finally, if the tax increase is adopted, here is how our town will compare to the total (primary and secondary) tax rates of other communities: Carefree, zero; Cave Creek, zero, Scottsdale, 1.08 percent; Mesa, 1.10 percent; Chandler, 1.16 percent; Phoenix, 2.16 percent; Tempe, 2.49 percent; Fountain Hills, 3.65 percent.

Governments inevitably find ways to spend the tax revenues they are given. Let’s keep Fountain Hills on a more reasonable rate of tax increases.