The City of Sedona creates a CRISIS in order to get City sales and bed tax increases, projects, and programs approved.
Sedona’s Crisis started with Tourism Dollars in 2013
In 2013, the city was grappling with how to increase its revenue streams amid broader economic challenges. The city was dependent on sales and bed tax. This is when the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and the Sedona Lodging group pitched to increase the city bed and sales tax. The crisis was created without a increase the city wouldn’t have enough revenue stream. The city needed to spend more money marketing tourism or the city would face a disaster.
The City Council eventually agreed to raise the bed tax 0.5% in order to give the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, 55% of all city bed tax. The City Council didn’t review the qualifications of a membership organization like a regional Chamber of Commerce. Whose membership distribution was 77% outside the city limit. Not only was 77% outside the city of Sedona, the chamber members were not 100% exclusive to tourism. The city used 9-500.06. Hospitality Industry; discrimination prohibited; use of tax proceeds Title 9 – Cities and Towns claiming they had to reinvest into tourism promotion. Instead of reinvesting the percent of increase 16.6% the voted to invest 55% into the Chamber.
Sedona’s second Crisis 2017 TRAFFIC
Moving forward, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce marketed their members and marketed all industries throughout the region. This is what triggered another crisis in 2017 TRAFFIC. The city Council then voted to do a sunset tax on sales tax before the. Sunset tax expired. They all voted to make it a permanent tax. Hence, increasing the sales tax embed tax of combined amount of 1%.
The city of Sedona makes crisis
The city of Sedona makes these CRISIS happen. The parking garage, housing, purchase of the cultural park, and many more items. Don’t believe it? Listen to the December 16th and 18th, 2025 City Council retreat. It’s a little hard to hear in spots, but they definitely directing and training the staff and council to use the crisis mode.
Dec 16, 2025 City Council Retreat – Sedona, AZ Sound bites: 00:46:24 00:46:32 00:46:37 00:46:44 00:47:13 00:47:21 00:51:56 00:54:15 00:54:21 01:21:20 01:21:27 02:03:57 02:04:08
City Council Retreat Dec 18, 2025 Sound bites: 00:22:39 00:22:46
City Council Retreat Dec 17, 2025 Video Agenda
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