Assuming reported claims about the meeting are correct, at least $28.8 million of Sedona/Verde Valley taxes have been shipped over Mingus Mountain to Prescott for use in their development projects during the last dozen years, which is considered by Prescott administrators as “equitable”
According to various sources, Yavapai Community College claimed at the private meeting held with local politicos March 22 that on average it annually on average receives around $15.3 million in cash from Sedona/Verde Valley. Of that amount, and according to the sources, on average over a 12 year period the College claims it spends about $12.9 million annually in Sedona/Verde Valley.
Assuming that these College figures are relatively accurate, they show that at least $2.4 million of Sedona/Verde funds are being shipped to the Prescott side of Mingus Mountain each year where they are invested in projects primarily for use over there.
Moreover, if this data is correct, over the past 12 years Sedona and the Verde Valley taxpayers have contributed $28.8 million in cash to the Prescott Community College executives that has been used for investments on that side of the Mingus.
The Community College administrators apparently believe that this is “equitable.”
The Blog notes that various documents supporting the alleged equity claim were floated by the College among the local politicians at the private Sedona meeting. Curiously, the College had an opportunity to openly introduce these documents to the general public during the regular Board meeting on Tuesday preceding the private meeting because the preliminary capital budget was an agenda item along with consulting reports on the 8-10 year future development plan. However, the College did not choose to do so. Why not?
The Blog also notes that meetings such as the private one held March 22 with local officials raise serious accountability issues associated with public officials whose salaries are paid by taxpayers. One cannot help but be somewhat curious where taxpayer paid officials hold meetings outside a legally announced executive session where the public is barred, no minutes are taken, and no audio or video record is provided. Moreover, such meetings make a mockery of claims by public officials that they are open and transparent about how public funds are being used.
There is usually an Open Call to the public but check agenda when it is posted. Members of the Governing Board are not supposed to discuss or take legal action on matters raised during an Open Call to the public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. A citizen wishing to address the Board should complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the Recording Secretary. The speaker should be prepared to limit his or her remarks to the designated time (usually three minutes).
Yavapai Community College’s Prescott based administrators and the College’s west-side dominated Governing Board will celebrate a half century of extraordinary tight control over development in Sedona/Verde Valley when it holds an invitation only meeting in Sedona on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. with local politicos. (Subject to secret change.)
Yavapai Community College’s Performing Arts Center is offering a splendid line-up of programs over the next few weeks. The Broadway hit Chicago will hold eight performances from April 14 – 24. Pink Martini featuring China Forbes will hold a concert at the Del Webb Center for Performing Arts in Wickenburg on March 23 and then move to the Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center March 24. Other venues on its schedule are Wolftrap and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The illusionist called “Mike Super” will perform Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m.
