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Clarkdale officials warn state bills could cut more than $1 million from town budget
Summary
Town Manager presented a strategic-planning briefing showing a set of active state bills (named in transcript) that could reduce Clarkdale revenues by roughly $1,000,000 — about 18–20% of the general fund — and urged residents to contact legislators to protect local services.
Town Manager Susan Guthrie told the Clarkdale Town Council that a cluster of state bills under consideration this legislative session could substantially erode local revenue streams and limit the town’s ability to raise fees.
Guthrie summarized prior and proposed changes that have already reduced municipal revenue flexibility and detailed several measures under current consideration. Among the examples cited in discussion were bills described in the meeting as House Bill 22-90 (which the manager said would change sales-tax distribution to favor the location of distribution centers), an HCR and separate bills on food-tax ballot questions, and a house bill described in the transcript as placing a multi-year moratorium on fee and tax increases without voter approval. Guthrie said the cumulative exposure to Clarkdale’s budget from the worst-case bills tracked exceeded $1,000,000 — roughly 18–20% of the town’s general fund.
“Our general fund is only around $7,000,000, so you’re talking about almost 18 to 20% of our general fund budget will be gone if these bills pass,” Guthrie said. She cited scenarios in which sales-tax redistribution or limits on fee increases would force reductions in public services or shift costs into the general fund.
Guthrie and council members urged residents to contact state legislators and work with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns to press for exceptions or negotiated solutions. Council members emphasized that many municipal responsibilities rely on a patchwork of modest revenue streams (for example, a previously lost rental-tax tool cost the town about $150,000 a year) and that the town has limited constitutional authority to raise property taxes or sales tax beyond existing caps.
Council discussed next steps for public outreach and for continued regional coordination; Guthrie said staff will share more detail with the public and encouraged constituents to follow newsletter postings and contact elected officials in Phoenix.
The council did not take a formal vote on legislation; the briefing served as a public alert and request for community engagement.
