Lisa Borowsky calls into question pursuit of new sales tax ballot question
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.
Lisa Borowsky calls into question pursuit of new sales tax ballot question
Scottsdale Mayoral candidate Lisa Borowsky sat down with the Digital Free Press to explain her position on Prop 490. This is what she had to say:
*Why do you support or do not support the proposed .15% sales tax ballot measure — Prop. 490 — on the November ballot?
As a longtime advocate for public safety—fire and police, the Sonoran McDowell Preserve and our parks and recreation facilities, I am committed to fully funding these needs without raising taxes. Maintenance and necessary improvements to these city services and amenities warrant top prioritization in the city’s existing and future General Fund to protect our place as a world class destination for residents, business owners and visitors. I am voting “NO” on Prop 490.
During my prior council service, I led the charge to expand the TNEC/Westworld facilities, creating a world class multi-use facility hosting signature events and thousands of competitors and visitors year-round, and serving as a prominent economic driver for the city. My commitment to protecting the preserve was the reason I opposed the idea of development when the proponents of the DDC brought their ideas forward. On the other hand, in 2004, my opponent opposed funding to acquire critical preserve land. See Scottsdale Republic Editorial, April 14, 2004. Had he got his way, we would not have the McDowell Sonoran Preserve we enjoy today.
*How would you address concerns from residents who believe the language used to promote the .15 sales tax ballot question is disingenuous?
Voters should beware about the vague language found in Prop 490 which provides future City Councils the discretion to spend the tax revenue, which will total at least $1.2 billion, on whatever they want, including “improvements…for Citywide Parks and Recreational Facilities”. “Improvements” can include a wide range of creative possibilities which should concern residents.
For the past year, this ballot initiative has been misrepresented to Scottsdale citizens as a “replacement” and “decrease” to the current sales tax. Finding themselves on the losing end of yet another legal battle, the city was forced to amend the ballot language—requiring them to be honest—after the Arizona Court of Appeals found that the city was attempting to “objectively mislead” voters about the new tax which is an increase.
In an “emergency” meeting last week, without public input, the council rushed to alter the language to keep their tax hike on the ballot. It is shameful that the mayor and council opted to deceive us with the original language. This erodes trust and wastes taxpayer money when the city must defend a lawsuit brought by residents to get the mayor and council to do the right thing.
*What specific project or initiative do you think warrants priority for funding first with remits from existing sales tax realized at City Hall?
The city’s tax revenue collections are at an all-time high. Meanwhile, residents are being told that there isn’t funding for police, fire, the preserve, or our parks. This doesn’t add up, especially when there is so much wasteful spending going on. Consider the sewer expansion project, part of the 2019 voter approved Bond Projects, originally approved at $6 million but the price tag has continued to spiral out of control under the current administration.
Recently, the mayor and council voted to approve an increase in spending on this project to $68 million with no explanation other than “inflation” and increased costs. How about the $10 million reserved for more migrant housing, which the mayor routinely brags about, or the recently established sustainability department which requires significant staff resources and funding? One of the more interesting initiatives coming from the sustainability department is the directive that residents decrease their trash output by 90%! Is this how we want our taxpayer money spent?
It is time to take a stand and oppose wasteful spending and poor decisions. We need to restore focus on protecting Scottsdale’s future and residents. Voters should not reward deceptive attempts to increase taxes by throwing more money into the city coffers, especially under this administration.
For these reasons, I am voting “NO” on Prop 490.”
