West County Voting-Bloc unanimous in support; East County representatives oppose; McCaslin explains reasons; Harris mum on reason for opposition
As expected, the West County Voting-bloc approved a 2% primary property tax increase at the Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, May 8. The two representatives from the east side of the County, Deb McCasland, and Connie Harris, opposed the tax increase. McCasland argued the tax rate increase would support unnecessary construction and ignored the $4.4 million the Community College just received from the sale of property to the Town of Prescott Valley. The College decided to raise the tax rate rather than use any of the $4.4 million to pay for capital projects in this year’s budget. Connie Harris, the third District representative, did not explain the reasons for her opposition to the tax.
McCaslin said that it was impossible for her to tell voters and college donors that the money was needed by the Community College.
This was the fifth primary tax rate increase approved by the Governing Board the last 10 years. The last increase was approved by the West County Voting-Bloc in 2015. At that time, both East County representatives voted against the tax increase.
All of the citizens who spoke at the public meeting called to discuss the tax increase opposed it in some form.