I am a 25-year resident of Fountain Hills. I am also a senior living on a fixed income. I have a small nest egg and a relatively small mortgage. So why am I in favor of a primary property tax for the town?

First and foremost, I want to protect my most significant asset, my home. If the town cannot meet its obligations, property values will certainly decay. I enjoy the amenities such as the Community Center and the library. We have several very nice parks offering a wide variety of events and recreational opportunities. I do not have a pet but know that the Dog Park is used by a great many residents. We have quality schools and, while I have no children, I know all these things add value to my investment.

We chose Fountain Hills because it was affordable, quiet and very attractive with good access to quality health care and all the amenities offered by a major metropolitan area. I also know that each of these features has a price; even if I do not use some of them, they still must be paid for and maintained. And that is the price I must pay to continue enjoying this lovely Town.

We all know that everything costs more today; gasoline, groceries, insurance. So it should not be a surprise that the costs associated with the two largest town services, fire and police protection, will increase as well. Without a reliable source of revenue, the town will face a deficit of over $6 million per year simply to honor current obligations. Town services have been cut to the bone, deferring maintenance of the roads and infrastructure merely postpones the obvious and state law prohibits budget deficits.

Join me and vote yes May 15!