Every four years in Sedona, the voters must vote on whether or not to give the City of Sedona additional ,funding, thru what’s called alternative expenditure limitations, AKA home rule. Without voter approval the City of Sedona has to follow the state guidelines. With home rule, the city can spend as much money as they want, however they want, without voters’ consent or approval.
During the election period there are many political shenanigans. Some of those in favor of Home Rule spread many false narratives and some flat out lies in order to keep home rule in place. Scaremongering is standard operating procedure in Sedona during the election period.
The Arizona Constitutional Spending Limits:
Cities & Towns AZ Constitution Article 9 Sec. 20 Cities & Towns
Arizona’s State Baseline for Cities and Towns
In Arizona, the state baseline for cities and towns is the expenditure limitation set by Arizona Constitutional Spending Limits- Cities & Towns AZ Constitution Article 9 Sec. 20 Cities & Towns. This determines the maximum amount a municipality can spend each year on services and programs. This baseline is state-imposed and applies to all cities and towns. State Limit is increased by allowable exclusions. Allowable exclusions increase the allowable budget without home rule.
Cities & Towns: Voter approved permanent or temporary adjustment, Permanent base adjustment or home rule.
There are two types of voters approved Alternative expenditure limitations.
- Permanent base adjustment (PBA) is a permanent adjustment
- Alternative expenditure limitation (Home Rule) is a temporary adjustment 4 Year
**Without voter approval, Spending limit is the State base limit calculation: 1980 Base +
Population & Inflation
How the Baseline Works
The baseline is based on a formula adopted by the Arizona Legislature in 1979/80 that starts from the 1979‑80 budget year’s expenditure base. It is adjusted annually for inflation and population changes using factors published by the Arizona Department of Revenue’s Economic Estimates Commission Arizona Department of Revenue.
In short, the Arizona state baseline is the legally set spending ceiling for cities and towns, adjusted annually for inflation and population, and can be modified by voters to reflect current needs and revenues. State Limit is increased by allowable exclusions. Allowable exclusions increase the allowable budget without home rule. There are many items that are added to the state baseline to increase the city budget including these examples: Debt proceeds, Debt repayment, Grants and donations, HURF in excess of 1980, Voter approved tax for CIP, Investment earnings. Millions go on top.
Source: Home | Auditor General
What Cities and Towns are on State Baseline in 2026?
Cities and towns that are on state baseline are a wide range of population, size and Municipality services provided.
In 2026, we have Dewey, Welton, Wilcox, Wilcox, Winslow, Sahuarita, and Yuma. The below chart shows city or town, incorporation year, population, and municipality services.
2026 municipality services for cities and towns on state baseline.
Donna Joy ~
A retired Entrepreneur, Creator, Business owner, Culinary Artist, Chef & Chief Operating Disruptor.
www.DonnaJoys.com
♥ Donna Joy
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♥ Donna Joy
Enough is enough Time to vote NO on Sedona’s Home Rule
Key Information the city not telling you Source:
54% of cities and towns in Arizona do not use home rule.
Source: League of Arizona Cities and Towns, AZ | Official Website
When home rule fails The state limit number in the city’s packet of 15.4 million does NOT include allowable exclusions that are added to the state baseline limit. Allowable exclusions significantly increase the allowable budget without home rule. State Limit is increased by allowable exclusions.
Source: Home | Auditor General