I have served 10 years in elected office; Wisconsin State Legislature and chief elected administrator of Brown County, Wis., population of 250,000 citizens. We have lived in Fountain Hills for 10 years and love it here and I am voting no on the referendum for several reasons.

1. It is more than they need. They should have asked for a $1 million property hike. That would cover what their own estimates say they need per year in the next five years.

2. It is a blank check. They can use it for whatever they want to. I prefer bonds for major projects. Bonds let taxpayers know how the money will be spent and get paid off. This tax is forever. Municipalities all over the county are bonding for roads. And yes, they are legal.

3. I find it unbelievable and insulting that any politician would ask for a 20 percent tax increase. Have any of you ever asked your boss for 20 percent raise? I haven’t! This is the largest property tax hike I have seen in my lifetime.