Early voting has kicked off in Coconino County, with mail-in ballots already winging their way to voters since October 9. As residents ready themselves to mark their choices for various elected offices and propositions, there's a critical piece of legislation on the lower end of the ballot that deserves undivided attention: Proposition 482. It's not about new taxes or raising the current ones; it's a question of spending caps.
Here's the situation: back in 2014, roughly 65 percent of Coconino voters greenlit the Road Maintenance Sales Tax (RMST) to finance road repair and upgrade projects. However, if the county attempts to fund these initiatives through the RMST bucks, they'll surpass their spending ceiling, according to information from a Coconino County statement. Hence, despite the availability of funds, the projects can't take off without a workaround involving some financial gymnastics.
The county's interim solution has been to draw an $80 million loan, maneuvering around the spending limit since this borrowed capital doesn't count against it. Nevertheless, this workaround is not without its downsides. General fund revenues, which usually cover a gamut of essential county services, are currently being funneled into settling interest and fees—hardly an ideal scenario when considering the broader fiscal health and service provision of the county.
A yes vote on Proposition 482 means voters would authorize a $7.7 million permanent uptick in the county's expenditure base. Should this pass, it could prop up the county for as long as two decades, ensuring funds are available for vital infrastructure without yearly pivots to alternative financing strategies. More details on Proposition 482 are available on the county's website, with the county also welcoming specific inquiries at [email protected].
