Town discusses alternative to Home Rule
by Mark Cowling | Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune
Rather than ask voters to approve Home Rule every four years, the town of Florence will ask its voters to approve a “permanent base adjustment” requiring far less frequent voter approval.
Neither Home Rule nor permanent base adjustment raises or lowers taxes or fees. Both options merely allow the town to budget and spend the revenues it collects, without being limited by a state formula that works off the town’s 1979-80 budget. More than 30 percent of Arizona cities and towns, including Casa Grande and Maricopa, have approved a permanent base adjustment, according to a report to the Town Council from town staff.
Town Clerk/Deputy Town Manager Lisa Garcia and Finance Director Joe Jarvis discussed the idea of seeking a permanent base adjustment in this year’s elections with the Town Council at Monday’s regular meeting. The council will soon consider a resolution to put a permanent base adjustment on the ballot.
