Desert Messenger

August 16, 2023 ww.DesertMessenger.com 7 Read Desert Messenger online! Sign up for free email alerts when the Desert Messenger becomes available online! Join thousands reading the paper online at: www.DesertMessengerOnline.com Got events? List for free! Are you planning a new or recurring event in Quartzsite next season? Please consider sharing the dates now, as folks are planning their winter trips. QuartzsiteCalendar.com is a FREE service to list your special events, workshops, classes, music jams, bingos, entertainment, pot lucks, picnics, gatherings, fundraisers, ice cream socials, meetings, etc. SUBMIT your events for FREE today! Click "Submit Event" at www.QuartzsiteCalendar.com. (Sponsored by Desert Messenger News.) Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily represent those of the Desert Messenger. letters to the editor www.QuartzsiteVideos.com Watch Quartzsite Videos @ PROP 401 I have been reading about proposi- tion 401. Apparently, Arizona sets certain budget allocations based on population. As we all know, this is not a typical town when it comes to population as we have a summer population and then an explod- ing population in the winter. Our Census numbers do not refl ect the needs of the town during our winter months. The town is still expect- ed to provide services for all of our winter visitors whether the Census counts them or not. Having said all of that, I support 401 to allow the town to have a one- time override to spend the money they need to provide the services required in this town. I do, howev- er, feel a more permanent solution needs to be addressed. As I was looking over the options, the town has an option to put something on the ballot that would allow for the "permanent base adjustment." It seems to me that going forward, the town may need to adopt some- thing that refl ects our unique needs. We are not just any town. We are Quartzsite Arizona and our budget needs to refl ect that. Cyndee Oswald Year round resident of Quartzsite PROP 401 I hope people will look into Propo- sition 401 before voting. Prop 401 does not impose any new or ad- ditional taxes on our citizens. It provides total control of the Towns annual budget to meet local needs, rather than being forced to use the state-imposed formula based on Quartzsite's erroneous & under- counted 2020 census. Voting YES on Prop 401 will elimi- nate drastic budget cuts & reduc- tion of staff & needed services. This does not allow the Town to spend more money than they have. Keep Quartzsite moving forward & vote YES on Prop 401. Nancy Nichols Quartzsite Resident, Taxpayer & Property Owner PROPOSITION 401 EXPLAINED In the July 19, 2023 edition of the Desert Messenger, it was explained voters are being asked to consider a One-Time Override option on the November 7, 2023 ballot. After reading the article several times, it is my belief that a summarized ver- sion would be easier to understand. In 1980, Arizona voters approved a constitutional amendment de- signed to limit the annual expen- ditures of all Arizona cities and towns. This was based on a state- set formula that specifi ed a dollar maximum limit, per person, for the current population. As populations and fi nancial needs grew, a second amendment provided for an Alter- native Expenditure Limitation pro- cess. As the population grew in Quartzsite, the budget was kept under the spending limitations through 2019, based on the 2010 census population count of approx- imately 3,700. But then, the 202 census, which was performed dur- ing the Covid pandemic, resulted in a population undercount of only 2,300 resulting in the loss of abil- ity to properly fund for the approxi- mate 1,400 or 38% of our estimated population. Although the town be- lieves that the 2020 census is not correct, there is no appeal process when would give relief for this un- derfunding. The town has one op- tion, the Alternative Expenditure Limitation process. On January 24, 2023, the Town of Quartzsite Council approved Reso- lution 23-02. The Resolution states, "The Mayor and Council of the Town of Quartzsite believe it to be in the best interest of the Town to seek a one-time expenditure over- ride of $1,100,000 in excess of the Town's expenditure limitation for 2024-25 fi scal year as a result of the undercount from the 2020 Census and the associated reduction in the Town's expenditure limitation." November 7, 2023 BALLOT QUESTION: Shall the Town of Quartzsite be authorized a one-time override to expend $1,100,000 in excess of the Town's constitutional expenditure limitation pursuant to Article IX, Section 20, of the Arizona Constitu- ion for the Town's fi scal year ending June 30,2025? Hopefully voters will respond on the ballot with a YES vote. Quartzsite Mayor Norm Simpson You may have recently heard about an important survey project that is underway to identify and address gaps in broadband capacity and use in the State of Arizona. Survey re- sults will help determine how over $1 billion in federal broadband funds are spent. The Arizona Commerce Authority in coordination with the Digital Eq- uity Institute is gathering informa- tion to learn more about how indi- viduals, community organizations, and businesses utilize the internet and technology. Responses are due by August 18th, so your attention is greatly appreciated. The surveys have been reviewed by an institu- tional review board and all respons- es are anonymous. You must be at least 18 years old to complete this survey. Digital Equitey Institute recently stated, "It's vitally important to hear about challenges from community institutions, health care provid- ers, and people who have diffi cult accessing or using the internet for health and health care. This survey will ask questions about your expe- riences, needs, and expectations of technology." Link for Community Member Sur- vey: https://tinyurl.com/AZCom- munityMember If you have any questions about this survey, please reach out to Wendy Barnard (wendy.barnard@asu.edu) at Arizona State University. Internet access survey

• Cover