Welcome
I created this quick web-site to document issues
regarding the upcoming May 16th Election in Mesa.
Mainly I'm concerned about some of the math details, and
the lack of candid disclosure from both sides...and The City itself.
I attended four forums in my search for answers:
Mesa Town Meeting
(Dobson Ranch Library)
HOA Town Hall Meeting
(Dobson Ranch / Park Place / Marlborough Mesa)
City at a
Crossroads: Financing Mesa's Future
(Mesa Community College & Arizona Republic)
The Mesa
Republic Tax Debate: Mesa at a Crossroads
(The Arizona Republic)
The two Town Hall Meetings were particularly
informative. The MCC forum, however, was a major
disappointment. It was poorly structured and moderated. There
were even a few shills present.
The Tax Debate was very good. Both sides were
passionate about their respective positions without insulting the
opposition. Audience questions--by and large--were on-point, and
allowed both camps the opportunity to express their views. The Tax
Debate took place on Thursday night (April 27th) and is scheduled to
be re-played several more times on Channel
11. You can watch this, and a variety of other City of Mesa
meetings, on the Mesa
Channel 11 Video Streaming web site.
Upfront, let me state, that I have no affiliation
with either the "Yes" or "No" factions. I'm a
retired engineer, consequently I've no business relationships
either. I've received no funding or compensation in any way.
Financially, neither tax is going to devastate me.
I began with the thought last winter, that either (or both) taxes were
doable. This would necessitate, however, that the city show--that
even after some thorough belt-tightening--there was still a need for
further funding.
I initially looked at Property Taxes, then later spent
even more time on the Sales Tax issue. My views on both have turned
somewhat more negative. I also have a thought or two on Mesa's finances
in general. These are all included on the appropriate web pages.
Nate Caine
Mesa, AZ
Nate.Caine-Mesa.Taxes@hotmail.com
