Arizona Judge to decide if City of Scottsdale must change language in controversial sales tax ballot question
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The City of Scottsdale is accused of misleading voters into approving a ballot measure this upcoming November. Three Scottsdale taxpayers, William “Jim” Lane, Yvonne Cahill, and Susan Wood are suing the city hoping to change the ballot language.
“There's an obligation not to mislead, not to obscure anything,” said Scott Freeman, a Senior Attorney for the Goldwater Institute and attorney for the three citizens.
At issue is whether voters will approve a 0.15% sales tax rate in November, which takes effect on July 1, 2025. For the last 30 years, Scottsdale residents have been paying 0.20%. That money has been used to purchase land in North Scottsdale in the Sonoran Preserve area.
That 0.20% tax rate is set to expire at the end of June 2025. To replace it, a Yes vote would replace it with the 0.15% tax rate, equating to a drop, says the city. That money would fund improvements and maintenance to city parks and various recreational facilities, including the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and WestWorld of Scottsdale.
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/arizona-judge-to-decide-if-city-of-scottsdale-must-change-language-controversial-sales-tax-ballot-question/75-d39d31ee-4f3e-45bc-bd93-a6a0a513841f