The information is being provided for members of AFSCME Local 2960 about the upcoming elections on August 25, 2015. Below are a list of propositions that will be on the ballot and our recommendations. Early voting begins July 30, 2015
We recommend voting YES on the following propositions:
PROPOSITION 104: if passed will create a tax of seven-tenths of a penny for a period of 35 years beginning January 1, 2016. If passed this proposition will support a plan offering more transportation choices including light rail and buses as well as builds and improves public streets and roadways, Increases transparency and public input and government accountability. All expenditures shall be reviewed by a Citizens Transportation Committee.
All the information provided is from the ballot book that is sent out to registered voters. What is not in the book is that a portion of the funds generated will go towards hiring police officers. My thought is the increased security may be part of the monies for that. This is the only proposition that I could find that has any opposition comments listed in the ballot book.
PROPOSITION 103: In a nut shell, this is the City’s attempt to fix what they did in 2012 when they got a proposition passed to increase the amount of monies contributed by employees hired after July 1, 2013. This created a 2 tier system in the COPERS pension system with the idea that the employee and city would share a 50/50 split on contributions into the system. What they did not see was employees paying 15% or more of their paychecks. With this issue the city is finding it difficult in getting new employees to stay with the City of Phoenix. This proposition if passed will put a cap on this contribution of 11% and create a 3 tier pension system starting January 1, 2016.
This also puts a $125,000 cap on compensation used to calculate pension benefits. What does this mean for you, this means no more David Cavazos and Frank Fairbanks type retirements where they are making more in retirement than when working for the city. This proposition is estimated to have a savings of $38.8 million over 20 years.
PROPOSITION 100: General Plan provides direction for development, conservation and infrastructure investments in the City. This proposition does change and current land use, designations, zoning or raise taxes. It talks about the five core values Connect People and Places, Strengthen Our Local Economy, Celebrate Our Divers Communities & Neighborhoods, Build the Sustainable Desert City and Create an Even More Vibrant Downtown.
I am sure we will have to keep a close eye on the council when it comes to them using this particular proposition if were to pass, but it does promote financial growth and development we would hope help the city with its money issues.
PROPOSITION 101: City of Phoenix Locally Controlled Alternative Expenditure Limitation. This is a continuation of a process already in place since 1981. This allows the City of Phoenix to alternatively spend only a certain amount of money every fiscal year for the next 4 years.
PROPOSITION 102: This proposition if adopted would allow the city to issue payments in the form of warrants, checks, electronic transfers, or any other form or method of payment authorized by the City Manager or City Clerk. Approximately 150,000 payments are made every year by the city; this does not include payroll warrants (pay checks). The finance department estimates this will save the city $250,000.
Again these are only recommendations. All information on the propositions are available in the ballot book mailer.
We recommend voting YES on the following propositions:
PROPOSITION 104: if passed will create a tax of seven-tenths of a penny for a period of 35 years beginning January 1, 2016. If passed this proposition will support a plan offering more transportation choices including light rail and buses as well as builds and improves public streets and roadways, Increases transparency and public input and government accountability. All expenditures shall be reviewed by a Citizens Transportation Committee.
- Expanding light rail and high-capacity transit to serve more Phoenix neighborhoods and employment, education and entertainment centers.
- Adding bus services to unnerved major streets, increasing bus services and frequency on existing routes.
- Extending bus and Dial-a-Ride service hours to go along with light rail service.
- Improving streets and roadways throughout the city by fixing potholes, resurfacing streets, increasing ADA accessibility adding new sidewalks, street lights, bike lanes and bus pullouts.
- Building new roads and bridges and upgrading technology for more efficient traffic operations.
- Increasing security measures throughout the City’s public transit system, including transit vehicles, bus stops, light rail stations and park and rides.
- Providing additional transportation services, including shade at bus stops, wireless internet technology on buses and light rail cars, reload transit fare cards and real-time data for trip planning.
All the information provided is from the ballot book that is sent out to registered voters. What is not in the book is that a portion of the funds generated will go towards hiring police officers. My thought is the increased security may be part of the monies for that. This is the only proposition that I could find that has any opposition comments listed in the ballot book.
PROPOSITION 103: In a nut shell, this is the City’s attempt to fix what they did in 2012 when they got a proposition passed to increase the amount of monies contributed by employees hired after July 1, 2013. This created a 2 tier system in the COPERS pension system with the idea that the employee and city would share a 50/50 split on contributions into the system. What they did not see was employees paying 15% or more of their paychecks. With this issue the city is finding it difficult in getting new employees to stay with the City of Phoenix. This proposition if passed will put a cap on this contribution of 11% and create a 3 tier pension system starting January 1, 2016.
This also puts a $125,000 cap on compensation used to calculate pension benefits. What does this mean for you, this means no more David Cavazos and Frank Fairbanks type retirements where they are making more in retirement than when working for the city. This proposition is estimated to have a savings of $38.8 million over 20 years.
PROPOSITION 100: General Plan provides direction for development, conservation and infrastructure investments in the City. This proposition does change and current land use, designations, zoning or raise taxes. It talks about the five core values Connect People and Places, Strengthen Our Local Economy, Celebrate Our Divers Communities & Neighborhoods, Build the Sustainable Desert City and Create an Even More Vibrant Downtown.
I am sure we will have to keep a close eye on the council when it comes to them using this particular proposition if were to pass, but it does promote financial growth and development we would hope help the city with its money issues.
PROPOSITION 101: City of Phoenix Locally Controlled Alternative Expenditure Limitation. This is a continuation of a process already in place since 1981. This allows the City of Phoenix to alternatively spend only a certain amount of money every fiscal year for the next 4 years.
PROPOSITION 102: This proposition if adopted would allow the city to issue payments in the form of warrants, checks, electronic transfers, or any other form or method of payment authorized by the City Manager or City Clerk. Approximately 150,000 payments are made every year by the city; this does not include payroll warrants (pay checks). The finance department estimates this will save the city $250,000.
Again these are only recommendations. All information on the propositions are available in the ballot book mailer.
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