By james art 
Mary Munros | Scottsdale
Scottsdale has an unparalleled quality of life because our community has come together with a
vision. Because of this vision, we have built a world-class park system, a beautiful greenbelt through the middle of the community, and the one-of-a-kind McDowell Sonora Preserve. I was here for every one of the challenges these big ideas faced and we prevailed.
All of these proposed amenities were criticized with the same foolish, false accusations that we face today. Scottsdale has the second lowest property tax rate of eight large cities in the Valley. It has the third lowest sales tax rate of the 12 cities in the Valley. If Mesa passes the tax increase in November, Scottsdale will have the second-lowest sales tax rate. We have AAA bond ratings. Still, we enjoy a very high quality of life because our residents have had a long-term vision for our community from the beginning.
Today we must stand up again to protect and maintain all of our open space and recreation network. Our vision is back on the ballot. We need to make sure that the netting is laid every year, not just when a particular council decides to fund a repair or solve a maintenance problem in a park or reserve.
The smartest way to fund these needs is through a sales tax, so every visitor to Scottsdale will help pay for the maintenance, repairs and projects detailed in the proposals, including important improvements to our police and fire departments. Additionally, the city’s sales tax rate will remain low when these ballot measures are implemented. There will be full accountability and transparency.
Scottsdale needs the same discernment today that it has shown in the past. Make the right decisions for the future of Scottsdale and all of our crown jewels! Vote YES on 490 and 491.
Mary Manross is the former mayor of Scottsdale and chair of the Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcome at [email protected].