Home Rule Explained

HOME RULE OPTION

August 28, 2018 Primary Election

WHAT IS THE LOCAL ALTERNATIVE EXPENDITURE LIMITATION, OR “HOME RULE” OPTION?

The State of Arizona Constitution imposes a formula-based budget spending limit on Arizona cities and towns, including the City of Coolidge. This formula based spending limit does not take into consideration the services and programs provided to citizens by each city or town. As an alternative to this formula-based limit, the State Constitution allows voters of a municipality to approve a Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation, otherwise known as the “Home Rule” Option The Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation, or “Home Rule” Option allows a city or town to adopt its own budget limits locally based on local needs, service levels and available resources. A “YES” vote on Home Rule would allow Coolidge to continue to set its own budget spending limits locally via the budget adoption process. A "NO” vote would limit the City expenditures to the State-imposed formula limit, resulting in a reduction in City services for next fiscal year, 2019/20.

CITY BUDGET ESTIMATES COMPARED TO STATE-IMPOSED BUDGET LIMITS

A “YES” vote would allow the City to budget expenditures up to its local funding level. A “NO” vote would limit budgeted expenditures to the State imposed level which would reduce City services to include: police, fire, parks and recreation, library, animal control, public transportation, development services, and liquid and solid waste services. The City has received voter approval with a “YES” vote in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. The Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation Option is not an increase or decrease in tax rates. Funding estimates are based on existing income sources that the City already receives. These income sources would continue to be received by the City under the State-imposed budget limit, but could not be spent in the full delivery of services to the community. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HOME RULE OPTION For more information, please contact Gabe Garcia, Finance Director, with any questions at 520-723-5361, or e-mail him, at gabeg@coolidgeaz.com.