Arizona State Law 41-563 – Expenditure limitations; determination by the commission; definitions

Uniform Expenditure Reporting System (UERS) | Auditor General

Arizona Auditor General
The Arizona Auditor General serves as an independent source of impartial information concerning State and local governmental entities and provides specific recommendations to improve the operations of those entities. 
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Arizona Auditor General is an incredible source of information. The public can review reports and statistics there. I’m a big fan.
In fiscal year 2023, they issued:
185 Reports*
661 Recommendations
$1,744,074 Fraud uncovered
37 Felony charges.
* reports include audits, reviews, investigations, alerts, and followups.
To read more about their fiscal year 2023 efforts, click here to read annual report.

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is a voluntary membership organization that provides services to incorporated municipalities in Arizona. The League is a great resource of statistics of the incorporated municipalities in Arizona. League of Arizona Cities and Towns, AZ | Official Website

Mission Statement

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns, a voluntary membership organization of the incorporated municipalities in Arizona, exists to provide vital services and tools to all its members, focusing principally on representing the interests of cities and towns before the legislature, and secondarily on providing technical and legal assistance, coordinating shared services and producing high quality conference and educational events.

Donna’s FACT FINDS

Reliable sources ~ Data Driven ~ Research ~ Benchmarks ~ Trackable

According to the Arizona League of Cities and Towns 1/20/2024 report
45% Home Rule (41)
44% Permanent Base (40)
10% none (9)
1% both Home Rule and Permanent Base (1)

Nearby cities or town use Permanent Base Adjustment
Cottonwood
Camp Verde
Clarkdale

100% of Arizona property have county property taxes. All areas PAY county property taxes.
36.26 % Cities or Towns in Arizona have NO CITY property tax. City property taxes are voter approved and have additional city services such as fire departments.
Those outside the city limits do NOT have city-imposed fees, or taxes unless they purchase something within the city limits.

SOURCE: Arizona City & Town Data | League of Arizona Cities and Towns, AZ

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Did you know that the AZ Auditor General has reported that:
SEDONA-OAK CREEK JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT—NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNIFORM SYSTEM OF FINANCIAL RECORDS FOR ARIZONA SCHOOL DISTRICTS (USFR)

May 13, 2024

Report is a 6-page report with many deficiencies listed

• Letter
• List of deficiencies

SEDONA-OAK CREEK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Notice Special Election

The purpose of the election is to permit the qualified electors of the District to vote on authorizing the District to sell, lease or exchange all or part of the following described parcels of real property and use all or a portion of any such proceeds of any such sale, lease or exchange to purchase school sites and/or to construct, improve, equip and furnish school buildings, to purchase student transportation or other vehicles and/or any other permitted capital expenditure.  The real property is described as follows:

Parcel:       Site located 25 W. Saddle Horn Road in Sedona, Yavapai County, Arizona, known as the District’s Big Park Community School (approximately 20.8 acres). 

                  Legal Description for APN 405-27-006C:

                  [IRREG PCL THE SW COR LIES APPROX 480’N OF THE SW SEC COR SEC 13-16-5E CONT 20.80AC].

Any qualified elector is eligible for early voting.  Early voting materials may be obtained by contacting the Yavapai County Elections Department, 2970 Centerpointe East Drive, Prescott, Arizona 86301; telephone: (928) 771-3544.   For more information about the foregoing, please review A.R.S. § 15-491 or contact the Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District No. 9, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336, telephone: (928) 204-6700.

Arguments For or Against the Election Issue by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, August 9, 2024. 

The deadline for submitting an argument for or against a school district election issue on the November 5, 2024 General Election is 5:00 P.M. on Friday, August 9, 2024.  Please visit the Yavapai County Education Service Agency Website for more information.

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF SEDONA-OAK CREEK JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 OF YAVAPAI AND COCONINO COUNTIES, ARIZONA:

A special election will be held in Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District No. 9 of Yavapai and Coconino Counties, Arizona (the “District”), on November 5, 2024, at the following polling places:

Visit https://www.yavapaivotes.gov/Elections/Vote-Centers for a list of Vote Centers in Yavapai County

or contact the Yavapai County Elections Department at (928) 771-3248.

Visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/elections for a list of Vote Centers in Coconino County

or contact the Coconino County Elections Department at (928) 679-7896. 

The polls will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

The post A special election will be held in Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District No. 9 of Yavapai and Coconino Counties, Arizona (the “District”), on November 5, 2024, first appeared on Donna Joy.

Research and historical documents show us that the Sedona Cultural Park was approved in 1974 as Sedona Live Arts Playhouse as a nonprofit Educational Charity 501 C(3).

Sedona Live Arts Playhouse Articles of Incorporation formation for educational, charitable, scientific, philanthropic, and related purposes.

Recorded records prove that Sedona International Film Festival began under the Sedona Cultural Park.
Sedona Cultural Park funded and seeded the Sedona International Film Festival an Educational Charity 501 C (3).

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Official Arizona Destinations are a State, Municipality, and County. The State tourism policy is directed by state laws.

Arizona Revised Statutes 41, Chapter 19, Article I

Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT)

Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) sets the policy, the Offical DMO is the city or town, a Municipality. The Municipality is the DMO, Destination Marketing Organization. The City or Town is the automatic administrator as the local government

Tourism Policies are defined by the government governing board.
Tourism Tax driven
State, Municipality, or County

Tourism Policies and programs typically have a Tourism Advisory Committee, a critical element convenient role in all models.
Governments set the policy and program, control, monitor, and hire vendors when needed.

To understand more please read DEFINING DMO & DMC MEANINGS You’ll find more details on Tourism. Along with Research Trackers that hyperlink to source documents.

ARIZONA OFFICAL TOURISM POLICY & PROGRAM COMPETITIVE BENCHMARK

A detailed competitive benchmark, PowerPoint presentation, and research tracker with hyperlinks to sources can be viewed on the Arizona Governments Tourism Program Benchmark page.

• Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) – Official State Arizona Office of Tourism.
  • Official Office of Tourism for the State of Arizona
  • Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) – Tourism Advisory Council
  • AOT sets policy for Destination Marketing organizations DMO as a Municipality or County
  • Eligibility is for tourism-business promotion, tourism-related only and tourism businesses get free promotions.
• City of Scottsdale–
  • Tourism Department Tourism and Events Department
  • Commission Scottsdale’s Tourism Development Commission
  • Link to the City of Scottsdale Tourism Program
  • Along with the grants, events, and city commission activities the City of Scottsdale via the Tourism Department outsources to Scottsdale Convention & Tourism Bureau for additional marketing.
  • Scottsdale Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB ) operates as Experience Scottsdale and operates as a government model following the same rules and guidelines.
    • Scottsdale’s CVB member’s page defines Member Eligibility and a Membership Application. Member pay to play.
      • Businesses must relate to the tourism or hospitality industry and demonstrate that they provide tourism-related products or services as part of their regular offerings with the exception of businesses interested in the Allied membership category*.
      • Hotels, resorts and spas must have a Scottsdale or Paradise Valley address. However, hotels and resorts applying for the Statewide membership category may be considered upon request.
      • Golf courses throughout Maricopa County are eligible to apply for membership. However, golf courses associated with ineligible hotels and resorts cannot apply.
      • Maricopa County businesses in the following categories are eligible to apply: Allied*; Activities; Art + Culture; Dining; Golf; Meeting Services; Moving to Scottsdale; Nightlife; Outdoor Adventure; Shopping; Spa + Wellness; Transportation; Visitor Services.
      • Statewide businesses in the following subcategories are eligible to apply: Air Tours; Attractions, Group + Spouse Activities; Statewide Accommodations; Off-Roading; Ground Tours.
    • With the scope of service and performance metrics being controlled by the City of Scottsdale. The City of Scottsdale is in the first position with other governments coming into place thereafter. Scottsdale refers to Experience Scottsdale as Partner but clearly defines the scope of work for this vendor.
    • Scottsdale in addition to that has a city Auditor who audits contracts, policies, and reports.
• Maricopa County has a county voter-approved Sports Tourism Authority which allows County participation in a CVB model. Proposition 302 in AZ Sports & Tourism Authority
• City of Prescott
  • Tourism Department City of Prescott Tourism Program
  • Prescott’s Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC)
  • Link to the City of Scottsdale Tourism Program
  • Along with the grants, events, and city commission activities the City of Prescott via the Tourism Department does its own marketing with AOT.
  • The City of Prescott Office of Tourism operates as a single destination government DMO
  • City Office of Tourism model with an eleven-member Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC)
  • Hires Vendors for consulting, research, and visitor services.
  • City-owned website for tourism is https://www.experienceprescott.com/
  • City of Prescott Tourism Program detail post link with research trackers and more details
• Arizona Governments Tourism Program Benchmark
  • Arizona Destination Marketing organizations are defined by the Arizona Office of Tourism, “It is the responsibility of the municipality or county to designate either themselves or another organization if they intend to participate in AOT’s programs.“

Sharing Knowledge helps us understand more. Understanding more builds bridges and fills gaps allowing our community to Collaboration allows our community to craft and create a Sedona that becomes the Resident’s Footprint Legacy.

Donna Joy is an entrepreneur. With successful high-tech startups in the medical field. Implantable Devices, Biotech, and Ambulatory devices internationally and domestic companies. Venturing into food manufacturing, retail, and non-profits in rural areas. Donna Joy has studied and researched community issues like Tourism programs as confusion limits and controls communities, as a unpaid volunteer. Understanding, knowledge nurtures and seeds collaboration allowing the community to grow.

The post ARIZONA DMOs rules of engagement first appeared on Donna Joy.

CITY LAUNCHES TOURISM PROGRAM

CITY LAUNCHES TOURISM PROGRAM

“Sedona’s Business Community Sign-up. Are you business inside Sedona’s city limits? Help us build out our business listings by sharing all that you have to offer visitors. We will use this in referrals and in our upcoming Visitors Guide. Please fill out the Tourism Business Application form 
https://www.sedonaaz.gov/…/sho…/49466/638233811665070000 and return it to Karen Kwitkin, City Manager’s Office Executive Assistant, at kkwitkin@sedonaaz.gov.”

Press Release Link: https://www.sedonaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/5931/

Tourism Program Link: https://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments-and-programs/city-manager/tourism-program/-fbclid-IwAR2SRE6DYhxVb6mj2oOUCQ19LwHfC6Xw1AgTrD9xEtCmefScBv5r5UvMPfo

Please find the link to the business sign-up form below:
https://www.sedonaaz.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/49466/638233811665070000
Return it to kkwitkin@sedonaaz.gov

Sign up for the Visitor Guide here:
https://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments-and-programs/city-manager/tourism-program/tourism-newsletter

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By being involved, we understand and learn more.

People always ask me for information. Call me a geek, an information geek, stats junkie Data Driven reporting and analysis help understand and plan for the future. Data-Driven shows us actual performances and allows us to see what we are good at and where we need to improve. It helps management make good decisions. These are trackable accurate units of measure.

I am curious and love to understand and learn things. I also like to monitor things and see how they change. I love graphs, numbers, stats, or anything that helps me understand more. Don’t mind doing the hard work as it speeds up positive growth and is a tool that can be used again. When people ask for information it brings me joy to share.

Removes any unseen biases, conflicts of interest or assumptions.

The Resident’s Footprint is how we create clear, open-door discussions, accept each other’s differences, collaborate working together, utilize each different strengths, nurture, and improve.
Unlimited each other to grow, learn and build our community.
Did we welcome the community as a whole to the table?
Or were the only ones at the table the loudest, controlling the narrative and outcome?
Did we restrict another person by restricting where and how they spoke? Did we label another and not listen to their ideas or suggestions?

The Resident’s Footprint is our community legacy, how we leave our community.
How we nurtured, supported, understood, collaborated, respected others, and set aside any conflicts of interest is our footprint. Going through opens doors taking chances that may help to grow our legacy and our footprint.
~ yours, ours, and my Sedona ~
Changes and improvements we make through collaboration and networking leave a balanced footprint for generations to come.
DonnaJoys.com

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In 2013 the Sedona Chamber of Commerce employee Donna R. came into our family business and demanded we support the chamber-lodging proposal to raise taxes in order for them to get marketing dollars to promote the chamber members. My husband and I both heard Donna R. pitch. Both reacted in similar ways to this insane proposal. This is the exact moment I got involved in this city issue, 2013.

Donna R.’s chamber proposal poked a redhead and pricked me to get involved to stop this insane idea. I along with others reached out to City Hall. I personally wrote, called, and had dozen of meetings. I had never really slowed it down and thought through the point that the Sedona Chamber had been receiving public money from the City of Sedona to market the Sedona Chamber members only. The taxes imposed on our family business was being used to market those outside the city’s jurisdiction, our competitors who didn’t contribute to the city’s-tax base.
I publicly quit the Sedona Chamber, never joined another group, and would never give my voice to anyone.
I come from a biotech implantable device, medical devices industry, a highly regulated industry, and have family that worked for the government, and completely understand why we collaborate to provide public safety, and transparency in the most positive way.

Here is one email I sent to the Sedona City Council, the CEO of the Chamber, and the head of the lodging affinity group of the chamber.
Please read, this was sent on July 28, 2013. I have hundreds of this kind of emails.

4/26/23, 8:42 AM City Doing The Right Thing With Destination Marketing was published on Sedona.biz learn more on why the city is doing the right thing here.

After ten years we all see the impacts of the Chamber 2013 proposal. The City Council voted to give 55% of City-bed-taxes to the Chamber. Confusion, mayhem, misuse of terms, city bed taxes being called a lodging tax, the chamber claiming ownership of city taxes, businesses believing the Chamber’s false narratives, and the destruction it has caused. The Sedona Chamber marketed their members only, in all industries and throughout the state. Sedona Chamber Structure, Membership

The presentation of City Manager Karen Osborn and Heather Herman, Consultant, Front Burner Media was on point bringing the responsible back to the City of Sedona by creating a TAB Tourism advisory board. Research proves this is the model that Arizona Cities follow. Tourism Government Models DMO Benchmark
This is the place where it should have always been. Throughout the last ten years, many have worked hard to correct this.
Thank you to Heather Herman, your expert explanations, every one of them was great and matched line for line what the research proves.

Heather Herman is a Consultant, Front Burner Media Heather is under contract with the City of Willams, the City of Prescott, and the City of Cottonwood. Tourism Government Models DMO Benchmark

Below card was attached to emails sent to everyone on the council after the April 12, 2023 meeting

This model puts checks and balances in place, creates transparency, balances the community, removes conflicts of interest, and involves the residents and businesses creating the balance we need all can move forward with. Fair, transparent, and balanced. Crafting a tourism policy for Sedona is a wonderful opportunity for Sedona.
We are in this together, a learning experience, our Sedona needs you.
If you can volunteer to serve the eleven-member Tourism Advisory Board, it will be fun, it bonds us all together, Council, city staff, businesses, and residents together with the same mission.
What Model Fits a Municipality DMO?
Local Government Benchmarking

It was suggested during yesterday’s meeting that Sedona formulate a new policy from the ground level, that is EXACTLY how Sedona tourism policy got hijacked in 2013.
Sedona doesn’t need to formulate a policy from the ground level. Sedona needs to craft a Tourism policy that works for Sedona, one that provides checks and balances, and transparency, brings our community together, and works for the same causes.

Effective * Efficient * Logical Approaches
Understand more ~ Be Involved ~
~Collaborate with others ~ Share knowledge
~ Be Informed~

If we are not involved in local issues (at the Table )
Then our voices aren’t heard, and our quality of life maybe be affected (putting that on the Menu)
“If we are not at the Table Then WE are the Menu”

Over the years many have written on this subject.
Visit www.SedonaEye.com Eddie Maddock articles are informative and accurate.
Sedona.biz had a series from a Sedona Concerned Resident
Below is an excellent article “What City “DMO” Status Means For Business and Residents”
By Brian Fultz, Kathy Kinsella, Holli Ploog, the City Council Tourism Work Group.

Without a systematic approach to analyzing the data and having data-driven reports, it leads us to an opinion-based decision-making process.

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