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Resident Spotlight
Carolyn and Tom Boden
"We never knew how much fun an active-adult community could be..."
Learn more about Carolyn & Tom.
Save The Date!
May 27 - Sunday Movie Matinee, "War Horse" 1:00 PM Celebration Hall. Sign up at the Member Services Desk to attend, $2/person.
June 9 - Sizzling Summer Dance 6:00 PM Celebration Hall. Live D.J., Cash Bar, Snacks - $10/person. Sign up at Member Services or through Online Registration.
Get Involved!
Citizens On Patrol Contact Dana Kovach, SCF resident liaison, or Bill Savage , Buckeye Police Dept for additional information.
Join the Neighborhood Block Watch Program. Call Carol Jackson at 928-252-2105 for information. Visit our web page for more information.
Social Committee - Volunteer with events, contact Jennifer Haigwood at 928-252-2104 or email jhaigwood@aamaz.com .
Caring Neighbors Volunteer to help others within the community.
Maricopa County Assessor Answers to Update from Q & A Session
October 10, 2011
Paul Peterson, a representative for the Maricopa County Assessor's Office has responded with answers to the questions that were included in the Town of Buckeye Property Taxes Question and Answers document recently disclosed on October 7.
> View the County Assessor's AnswersDistrict Councilman Ray Strauss has provided us with an update on the Question and Answer session from the recent Property Tax Meeting that took place at Foothills Elementary School.
Property Tax Meeting Scheduled Sept. 21
September 14, 2011
The following message is from District Councilmember, Ray Strauss, regarding the Property Taxes.
Dear SCF Residents,
Over the last several days, Town of Buckeye staff members and myself have spoken with many of you in person, by phone, and via email in an effort to provide assistance and clarification of the sources and reasons for your property taxes. Knowing this issue affects all residents of Festival Ranch, I've arranged a meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 21st from 6-7:30 pm at Festival Foothills Elementary School Gym.
For this meeting, I've invited several Town of Buckeye representatives as well as our Country Treasurer, Charles Hoskins, who will be present. During a portion of this meeting, Mr. Hoskins will be providing an informational presentation that explains in detail the tax rates, taxing authorities, and most importantly, our property assessed values.
Following his presentation, time will be provided to address your questions. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors. I hope to see you there.
Best regards,
Ray Strauss
District 4 Councilmember
Resident Tax Investigation Committee Formed
September 9, 2011
The following information was developed by a group of our residents and is provided for the information of all Sun City Festival residents. Contact Mark Brim at MarkBrimSCF@cox.net for more information or questions.
To: Our Neighbors in Sun City Festival
Subj: Property Tax
On Sunday September 5, 2011 approximately 40 concerned neighbors met at the Sage Center to discuss the property tax notices that were received by home owners from Maricopa County. There was a discussion of concerns and frustrations regarding the increased Taxes that Sun City Festival Residents will be required to pay this year.
Based on a straw poll taken at the meeting, residents of Sun City Festival appear to have an increase of 16% to 30% on their 2011 tax bill. This is compounded on top of a 10% to 20% increase in 2010.
Some of this increased tax burden stems from Maricopa County raising property values in Festival while lowering values in neighboring communities. Some of the burden comes from Buckeye City, Wickenburg School District, The Community College District, Maricopa County Flood Control District and other taxing entities raising their levies to a great degree.
The combined effect translates a highly disproportionate tax burden for Festival Residents, while our neighbors in Buckeye, Wickenburg, Tartesso and surrounding areas have reportedly seen a reduced tax bill. These findings were based on neighbors comparing actual tax notices and over 60 examples of property taxes taken directly from the Maricopa County web site.
A committee was formed during the Sunday meeting to investigate, and hopefully find a solution to this dilemma. This committee, comprised of 7 individuals met on Tuesday, September 6. The result of that meeting was the adoption of a plan to meet with Maricopa County officials, Wickenburg School district officials, Town of Buckeye officials, and others involved in the taxing process.
The ultimate goal of the committee is to bring Sun City Festival residents relief from this highly disproportionate tax burden. We are currently in the process of setting up these meetings and encourage any of our neighbors with education, experience, knowledge and enthusiasm in this area to contact us and jump on board.
Sincerely,
The Festival Fair Tax Investigation Committee
At this time, please direct your inquiries to MarkBrimSCF@Cox.net
