Question 1 – Permanent Base Adjustment
Each year, the State sets a limit on how much Mesa may spend using a formula. Part of the formula—the base limit—was set in 1979-80. The Permanent Base Adjustment will adjust the base limit to an amount that takes into account all of the new expenses, programs, and revenue growth that has happened since then, and it will let Mesa spend the resources it already has. The Permanent Base Adjustment does NOT Raise taxes, impose new or additional taxes, or change the requirements for Mesa to adopt a balanced budget.
Vote Yes on Question 1
“Failure to pass a permanent base adjustment would significantly limit the City's ability to spend our income. The city would be handcuffed in its ability to use our own tax revenues and state-shared income in the best way for Mesa residents. Without a base adjustment, the state could even withhold state-shared money and give it to other cities. This could impact basic services such as public safety and street maintenance. Bond rating agencies and auditors continually give Mesa high ratings and consider Mesa to be financially well-managed. The loss of local control would jeopardize those ratings.”
- Mayor John Giles
“Question 1 is not a tax increase, in fact, it’s not a tax at all. Voting for Question 1 is voting for ‘Permanent Base Adjustment’ which simply means that we, Mesa’s voters, decide how our own money is spent. This is something that we have been doing every few years through our local ‘home rule’ elections. This proposal simply makes the adjustment permanent which allows for greater budget stability and keeps our government close to the people and accountable to the voters. Without a permanent base adjustment, we could risk effectively handing control over to the State.”
- Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia
- Councilmember Jenn Duff
“By voting Yes on Question 1, we can permanently adjust this base limit to accurately represent our current financial needs. It's crucial to understand that this adjustment does not entail raising taxes. Rather, it empowers Mesa to utilize the resources we already have more effectively while continuing to adopt a balanced budget annually. Mesa prides itself on long-term planning and fiscal responsibility. Approving Question 1 will enhance our ability to plan future budgets more effectively and ensure the continued protection of our taxpayers. We urge you to vote Yes on Question 1 to support Mesa’s future.”
- Councilmember Mark Freeman
- Councilmember Julie Spilsbury
“As a city, Mesa is known for its prudent financial planning and fiscal responsibility. The Permanent Base Adjustment will further our ability to plan for the future and ensure that we can continue to provide high-quality services and infrastructure to our residents. We urge you to join us in voting Yes on Question 1.”
- Councilmember Alicia Goforth
- Councilmember Scott Somers
“Question 1 will allow the City of Mesa to adjust the base limit for Mesa’s budget to better reflect new expenses, programs, and revenue growth that have happened in the past 45 years. Question 1 does not raise taxes. It only allows a municipality to spend the resources it has, and it still requires the City of Mesa to adopt a balanced budget…Question 1 allows the city to better plan for future budgets while continuing to protect the taxpayers.”
- Mike Hutchinson, Former Mesa City Manager, Citizens for a Safer Mesa
- David Luna, Former City of Mesa Councilmember, Citizens for a Safer Mesa