What the City is not telling you about Home Rule

The city of Sedona has operated with an open checkbook under home rule (option) Alternative expenditure limitation. This allows them to spend as much money as possible in whatever format they want. The city has grown to over 200 employees while robbing the residents their quality of life.

The city operates without performance metrics. The system allows them to stack the decks against residents.

Here’s some information, key information the city is not telling you on finance data sources. And this directly impacts the ability for the city to operate. Without home rule.

Key Information the city not telling you Finance Data Source:

54% of cities & towns in Arizona do NOT use Home Rule

League of Arizona Cities and Towns, AZ | Official Website

46% Permanent Base 45% Home Rule 8% State Limit 1% Both PBA & HR

The state of Arizona laws have a seamless method to transition from a NO-HOME-Rule Providing a safe transition from a no-home-rule. Services will not be interrupted.

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. This increases the allowable budget without home rule. State Limit is increased by allowable exclusions.

On July 21st, 2026, when home rule fails, the city is actually funded for FY 26/27
Which ends on June 30, 2027 with home rule.

The no on home rule starts the PAUSE: capital improvements, starts the evaluation, and begins the change Sedona needs . This pause is critical for the incoming council. It allows the new council to operate without carryovers or business as usual. New City Council will get a fresh start.

The city can hold a special election in May of 2027 for a one-time override. The city may ask for as much money as they need to keep the operation flowing. The voters can approve. This allows the city to exceed the state limit for next fiscal year FY 27/28

The city can continue down the one time override every year Or they can navigate to a Permanent Base Adjustment (PBA)

The City may in 2027 get Permanent Base Adjustment (PBA) on the ballot. During a nonpartisan election or general election Permanent Base Adjustment (PBA) on the ballot. This would be approved for FY 28/29.

Source: Office of the Arizona Auditor General

* A NO on home rule, stops the crisis mode

* Home Rule is too politically charged and costs the city not only money but city resources to have elections every 4 years. Home Rule is emotionally Politically charged, not logical.

* One time over rides are annual & Permanent base is a permanent solution for Sedona, moving Sedona forward.