I find the position statements and comments on a primary property tax by several of those running for mayor or Council positions seriously distressing. I have to wonder if they took the Vision Fountain Hills findings seriously at all.

I thought the findings stressed at my group table and the body as a whole made it quite clear that finding a reliable source of revenue for the town is key in every aspect. We will not attract new families, seniors, or business to a town that relies on the status quo, and no longer has the appeal it once did. I implore every resident, full-year or part-time, dig into just how serious our needs are.

Mayor Kavanagh states growing existing sources and maintaining strict budget constraint will provide all that is needed. Councilman Yates implies there is no sense in trying for a primary property tax because it has already been defeated twice.

I can tell you that the town’s budget has been cut to the bone by reducing reserve funds, deferring street repairs, cutting back on park maintenance, outsourcing services like building inspections and street sweeping and more.

Do not be deluded by seeing the recent effort to upgrade the traffic signals at Palisades and Fountain Hills Boulevard, resurfacing the tennis courts, or the re-sodding of the Dog Park. These funds came from designated funds not available for other uses.

We do need new revenues and, yes, we want to know what our money will be spent for. We also want a town government that has the courage to take a positive approach to saving our town. Reinstatement of a fire district will not solve the problem, but a well-conceived primary property tax, administered by responsible government could, and still not break the bank, tax wise.