In spite of all the scare tactics and doomsayers, the voters overwhelmingly rejected the town council’s recommendation of a $7 million dollar property tax by over 2:1. Not even close!

Now, we need to take a more realistic view of how to solve our deteriorating roadways. Let’s look at using bonds where we can and a property tax where we cannot. Plus, find a new approach to providing affordable public safety. We cannot afford 10.3 percent annual increases forever to contract MCSO with its 32 officers and all of their equipment, not to mention funding their underfunded pensions.

And do we really need over 30 full-time firefighters when we have so very few fires? Medical emergencies and snake removal can be handled by EMTs and a much smaller fire department can put out our very few fires.

It is time to renegotiate these two contracts ASAP, as well as start the process of fielding our own public safety department. We already own the fire trucks, equipment and buildings, so all we need is to recreate our disbanded fire district and hire our own fire fighters and EMTs.

The same for our local police. I’m certain that we can get by with a force of 10-12 officers and a local volunteer posse to help with crowd control during our two large events. Use MCSO as needed if out of our control.

Let’s explore these options, do the math and then propose a realistic property tax; one with a sunset provision in, say seven years, subject to another vote.

Let’s really “save our town” by getting our high public service expenses under control! We just do not require such a large force in Fountain Hills.