Everyone who owns property in Fountain Hills is facing the same serious problems. Our streets need maintenance and there is not enough money in the town coffers. The cost for both fire and police protection is projected to increase substantially in the coming years and there is not enough money to pay for this.

State law requires the town to have a certain amount in its contingency fund to pay for any unexpected expenses, such as replacing an air conditioner in the Community Center or replacing the lake liner, and there is a lack of funds.

For the past 10 years, members of the town council have explored ways to bring more funds into the town’s treasury. Building permit fees are declining. The Town sales tax is already among the highest in Maricopa County. The number of town employees has been cut in half.

The only solution is a primary property tax. This tax is supported by all current members of the town council and by both the current and former mayors. The amount of the proposed tax is very reasonable. For the average home it is equivalent to one visit to Starbucks per week.

Let’s protect our property values with well-maintained streets and adequate fire and police protection. The alternative is not only a drop in our property values, but also a loss of some of our town amenities such as use of the dog park, fewer sports activities in our parks, less use of our Community Center or even discontinuing the running of our namesake fountain.

The property tax issue will be decided on May 15 with a mail-in ballot. I urge you to vote yes.