PRESCOTT VALLEY - Town government officials one year ago discussed imposing a tax on rental property to finance a separate public transit system for the community.
The rental tax idea is "simply hanging in mid air," Mayor Harvey Skoog said. "We don't know if it is going to die. I think regional will be the focus."
The idea originated in August 2007 while council members went over Management Services staff's analysis of tax and revenue formulas. Town government officials proposed the 2 percent rental tax, believing renters would be more likely to use public transit than homeowners.
Bill Van Kirk, a landlord and real estate broker, said landlords would pass the tax on to tenants, whom he believed could least afford the added costs.
The council talked about imposing the tax this past July, at least six months after the council had planned to vote.
The council never voted on it.
Town officials now favor a regional approach in conjunction with other members of CYMPO.
Public Works Director Norm Davis, who serves on CYMPO's technical advisory committee, referred to a July 24 CYMPO meeting in which officials from Prescott Valley, Prescott and the county voiced support for an independent transit authority. CYMPO is overseeing the transit implementation plan.
"That is the way we are going to approach it now," Davis said. "I think there is a need for a more regionalized approach."
Davis said the regional plan will require a financing source and approval from the two municipalities and the county.
A town financing source, such as sales tax proceeds, likely will require voter approval in PV, Skoog said.
Contact the reporter at khedler@prescottaz.com
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Article comment by:
Anonymous
Maybe in a real city but in Prescott valley!? Door to Door is the only answer for the disabled.
Who will ultimate profit from this attempt at the taxpayers throat and pocketbook?
Be afraid...be very afraid. The gang is smells money!
ArmyVet
Posted: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
How will a "regional approach" provide the answers for a fixed route transit system? Who is pushing this?
It is impractical for a low population area and most of the need for hired transportation is door-to-door for the disabled. A fixed route system is the least practical of all. Who is pushing this? The ridership would not pay 20% of the costs leaving the taxpayers with 80 plus percent of the expense (forever). Prescott Valley and Prescott contribute to CYMPO for the efficient voucher program which provides door-to-door service. Expand that.
