By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
On the heels of the Tuesday, Aug. 20, Arizona Court of Appeals ruling on ballot language around Proposition 490 — a .15% sales tax question being presented to Scottsdale voters this November — Scottsdale City Council amended adopted language the appellate court found to be misleading.
The new ballot language passed with a 4 to 3 vote with members of City Council Barry Graham, Kathy Littlefield and Tammy Caputi dissenting. Read the new language for yourself, HERE.
The legal issue now settled hinged upon how the .15% sales tax was coined a ‘reduction’ in Scottsdale sales tax levies already in place and original narrative reported at City Hall and in ballot arguments never explains if nothing is done the sales tax would simply expire as originally intended when presented to voters years ago.
Newly approved language states a vote in the affirmative this November for Prop. 490:
“A ‘YES’ vote shall have the effect of authorizing the City to enact a transaction privilege and use tax rate of 0.15% for 30 years for the sole purpose of: 1) improvements and maintenance for Citywide Parks and Recreational Facilities; 2) maintenance and protection for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve; and 3) increased Police and Fire resources related to Citywide Parks and the Preserve, as determined by City ordinance, to take effect on July 1, 2025, immediately upon the expiration of the current 0.20% tax rate.”
Newly approved language states a dissenting vote November for Prop. 490:
“A ‘NO’ vote shall have the effect of denying the City the authority to enact a new 0.15% transaction privilege and use tax rate, and the current 0.20% transaction privilege and use tax rate will expire at the end of June 30, 2025”
The Goldwater Institute lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of former Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and residents Susan Wood and Yvonne Cahill, began earlier this summer with the most recent legal opinion stemming from a July 22 appeal.
In 1995 and in 2004, Scottsdale voters approved a 0.20% tax — the 0.20% preserve tax today in question — to fund land acquisition only and a 0.15% tax to fund land acquisition and improvements in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Revenues from the 0.20% preserve tax and the 0.15% land and improvement tax were used to acquire over 30,000 acres of land now knows as the McDowell Sonoran Preserve that entailed constructing 12 trailheads and 235 miles of trails in the preserve.
On The Record: Councilwoman Tammy Caputi discusses Prop. 490 — the .15 sales tax question
Incumbent Scottsdale City Council candidate Tammy Caputi offers a statement in response to questions posed by the Digital Free Press to explain her position on Prop 490.
This is what she had to say:
“There is no controversy over the desire to keep our preserve, parks, and infrastructure well maintained. Polls show residents overwhelmingly value our open spaces — it’s what makes our city special.
I was part of the 5-2 majority to send the question of funding to the voters. I also voted back in the spring to slow the process and have an extra work-study about Prop 490, in response to concerns over the language that some felt was ambiguous. One more session was worth our time, before asking the voters to approve a 30 year, $1.2 billion tax.
The language of Prop 490 was challenged in a suit by the Goldwater Institute, and after a lengthy process the Arizona Appeals Court determined our language needed clarification and revision.
I support having a designated funding source to maintain our billion-dollar investment in our preserve and our aging parks. No one likes taxes, but we all recognize their role in our quality of life. Above all else, I believe the voters should make the final decision.
The Appeals Court gave Scottsdale the option to revise our language, and I applaud our city attorney and my colleagues for re-introducing language that will give the voters a clear idea of the issue.
Nonetheless, I was uncomfortable with the last-minute changes. The process all along was slow and deliberate, and at the last minute it became rushed and lacked transparency. We went out of our way to solicit resident input throughout the process, only to toss that out in the 11th hour. We on City Council received many emails expressing a sense of antagonism and disconnect. It was clear we should pump the brakes.
Some feel this issue falls along partisan lines, with Republicans against Prop 490, and Democrats for it. I am one of the few Independents on our council. I judge each issue on its merits and put the residents of Scottsdale first. Parks are not partisan; I work with my colleagues on both the right and the left. I believe this issue should be decided by our residents, with transparency and accountability.
If our residents vote in favor of Prop 490, I trust their decision. If they oppose, I vow to work with my colleagues to solve the issue of park and preserve maintenance and public safety.”
Councilwoman Caputi offered a link to the city fact sheet: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/docs/default-source/scottsdaleaz/elections/2025-scottsdale-sales-tax-answers.pdf?sfvrsn=32ad292b_8
