by Cameron Arcand
The Scottsdale City Council voted 4-3 to adjust the language for a sales tax ballot proposition that would have been killed by an Arizona Court of Appeals if changes were not made quickly.
The court shot down the original language following a lawsuit from the Goldwater Institute, as the court said it would confuse voters to brand a new 0.15 percent sales tax beginning July 1, 2025, as a cut instead of a new tax to replace the 0.2 percent sales tax expiring June 30, 2025.
“Shall Scottsdale enact a 0.15 percent transaction privilege and use tax rate for 30 years, effective July 1, 2025 upon expiration of the current 0.20 percent tax rate, solely to fund improvements, maintenance, and increased police and fire protection of citywide parks, recreational facilities, and the preserve as determined by city ordinance?” the new language will read on the November ballot.
Mayor David Ortega, Councilmembers Tom Durham, Solange Whitehead, Betty Janik voted for the change. Vice Mayor Barry Graham, Tammy Caputi and Kathy Littlefield voted against it.
“So this isn’t about cramming a tax down anybody’s throat, this isn’t about us making a decision on a tax. It’s simply about allowing the voters do that,” Whitehead said at the council meeting on Tuesday.
Those who were against the move said they are concerned with the amount of notice the public got about the meeting, which occurred a day after the ruling.
“Although the new language might be legal, I’m concerned that denying residents enough notice can further erode trust in city government,” Graham tweeted on Wednesday morning.
It will now be up to Scottsdale voters for the final say on the tax, along with city council and mayoral races in the city this November.
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Cameron Arcand is a staff reporter for The Center Square covering Arizona. A contributor since 2022, Arcand previously worked for Salem Media Group and The Western Journal.
Photo “Scottsdale City Hall” by Bobak Ha’Eri. CC BY 3.0.
