Editor slams West County Voting-Bloc for “happily” rubber-stamping proposal to increase Taxes

Christoper Fox Graham

In an editorial of Wednesday, May 16, 2018, the managing editor of the Cottonwood Journal Extra, Christopher Fox Graham, slammed the three members of the Yavapai Community College Governing Board who approved the tax rate increase at the Board’s May meeting.  The rate increase will generate an estimated $896,100 annually. Those members voting for the proposal were Steve Irwin, Pat McCarver, and Chairman Ray Sigafoos.  East County representatives Deb McCasland and Connie Harris voted against the increase. McCasland provided several reasons for her opposition to the rate increase. Harris did not explain why she opposed the rate increase.

Graham argued that merely reopening the Sedona Center with two programs hardly justified the increase. He pointed out that the residents on the East side of the County have been battling for years for a return of the tax revenue they give the College that is retained for building projects on the West side.

Graham also asked: “Why would the College need to bilk taxpayers yet again for this paltry amount ($896,100) when it just got $4.4 million from the town of Prescott Valley for the sale of some college-owned property?”

“Fortunately, Wills announced she will be retiring at the end of the calendar year,” wrote Mr. Graham. Adding insult to injury, the Board voted 4-1 (McCasland dissenting) to give Wills a $3,000 bonus.  Graham commented that “if you’re wondering where increased taxes are going, they’ll be heading to Wills ‘personal bank account.

You may read Mr. Graham’s editorial when it is posted on line at the following site (click here).

West County Voting-Bloc unanimous in support; East County representatives oppose; McCaslin explains reasons; Harris mum on reason for opposition

As expected, the West County Voting-bloc approved a 2% primary property tax increase at the Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, May 8.  The two representatives from the east side of the County, Deb McCasland, and Connie Harris, opposed the tax increase.  McCasland argued the tax rate increase would support unnecessary construction and ignored the $4.4 million the Community College just received from the sale of property to the Town of Prescott Valley. The College decided to raise the tax rate rather than use any of the $4.4 million to pay for capital projects in this year’s budget.  Connie Harris, the third District representative, did not explain the reasons for her opposition to the tax.

McCaslin said that it was impossible for her to tell voters and college donors that the money was needed by the Community College.

This was the fifth primary tax rate increase approved by the Governing Board the last 10 years.  The last increase was approved by the West County Voting-Bloc in 2015.  At that time, both East County representatives voted against the tax increase.

All of the citizens who spoke at the public meeting called to discuss the tax increase opposed it in some form.

Prescott Campus, Building 19-147; Hearings involve whether Governing Board should approve a proposed 2% property tax rate increase

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board will hold a series of tax and budget hearings beginning at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 8, 2018.  The meetings will be held in building 19 – 147, which is a change from the normal location of meetings on the Prescott Campus.

The exact time and purpose of each meeting is listed below.  In addition to the 2% property tax rate increase, the Board will be considering whether to approve an approximate $82.7 million budget for 2018 – 19.

Citizens may appear at the tax rate hearings and are usually given three minutes to express their view of the proposed tax rate increase.  Citizens wishing to address the Board should complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the recording Secretary and be prepared to limit remarks to the allotted time. 

The general Board meeting will begin at 1 PM in the same location.  The full agenda for the meetings can be read on the Governing Board website.  You can reach the Governing Board website by clicking here.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 10:30 a.m.

• Truth In Taxation Hearing
• Prescott Campus – Building 19-147
• 1100 E. Sheldon Street
• Prescott, AZ

Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 11:00 a.m.

• Truth In Taxation Special Meeting
• Prescott Campus – Building 19-147
• 1100 E. Sheldon Street
• Prescott, AZ

Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 11:15 a.m.

• Budget Public Hearing
• Prescott Campus – Building 19-147
• 1100 E. Sheldon Street
• Prescott, AZ

Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 11:40 a.m.

• Budget Adoption Meeting
• Prescott Campus – Building 19-147
• 1100 E. Sheldon Street
• Prescott, AZ

Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 1:00 p.m.

• Regular Board Meeting
• Prescott Campus – Building 19-147
• 1100 E. Sheldon Street
• Prescott, AZ

• ——————————————–

Large reserves, unneeded soccer field, scholarships largely going to out-county students suggests rate increase unwarranted

Chris Kuknyo, president of the Prescott Citizens Tax Committee, listed a series of reasons when speaking to the Community College Governing Board April 17 why a 2% tax rate did not seem appropriate.  He argued that the College “had 20 million in reserves” available to it; that spending $8 to $12 million on capital and maintenance was too much, and that most of the scholarship money being spent by the College was going to students from areas outside Yavapai County.

He was particularly concerned about the College’s decision to move forward with the “9 million dollar soccer complex.”  He pointed out that the College now plays at fields in Prescott Valley and Prescott that are already financed by taxpayers.  It made little sense to him to have  taxpayers spend more money on a soccer field when it is not needed.

His speech to the Governing Board is below on video.

President addresses Chino Valley; Executive Dean Perey addresses Sedona but possible property tax rate increase not included

During the months of February, March and April the Community College administration has been making a report to  various mayors and governing councils in Yavapai County about developments at the Community College.  However, it appears that during those reports no one from the Community College discussed the need for increasing County property taxes from 2 to 4%.

At least one city Council, Sedona, may ask the Community College to  make a presentation explaining the need for the increase.

You may view the one-minute report on this subject made by President Wills at the Governing Board meeting April 17, 2018.

County assessor Judd Simons estimate consistent with others made since 2014; Operational costs for Verde Campus and Sedona Center about $7.5 million; that means an estimated $7 million of East-County taxes annually remain on west side of County

The property taxes being paid by east Yavapai County residents far outpace the return of that revenue by the College to the east County for post-secondary education.  On March 7, 2018 County Assessor Judd W. Simons provided a “rough estimate” of property taxes being paid by east County residents at the request of realtor Rob Witt.  Mr. Simmons estimate in writing was put at $14,570,400.

Mr. Simmons estimate is fairly consistent with other estimates received from the County in 2014 and 2015.  In those years, the estimate was about $12.5 million. 

East County residents have argued for years that their taxes are paying for programs, building and projects on the west side of the County that they do not have reasonable access to and do not benefit from. Despite their pleas and documented evidence, little has been done to reduce the inequity between the east and west sides of Yavapai County when it comes to College development.