Santa Cruz County voters should be deeply concerned about Proposition 417, the proposed expenditure limitation increase on this November’s ballot. I urge my fellow residents to vote NO and ask the Board of Supervisors to stop treating taxpayers like an open checkbook. If the Board believes an increase is necessary, they should return with a responsible, short-term proposal — not a 20-year leap of faith.

Santa Cruz County already carries one of the highest primary property tax rates in Arizona at 3.997 per $100, exceeded only by Pima and Gila counties. These taxes fund essential, state-mandated departments such as the Sheriff, Assessor, Courts, Health Department, and Emergency Services. Despite this heavy burden on taxpayers, the Board is now asking for a 67% increase in its spending cap — from $30 million to $50 million.

Their justification relies on optimistic projections of future revenue from the South32 Hermosa mine in Patagonia, using a twenty-year horizon. And while we hope that it proves to be the case, it is far too speculative to warrant such a dramatic expansion of spending authority.

There are more responsible paths forward. The Board could request a smaller increase while committing to a 25–33% reduction in the primary property tax rate. They could also create improvement districts, which restrict the use of funds specifically to the defined purpose, such as recreation and libraries, and in turn would free up roughly $3 million in the budget and make the funds available for operational needs.

Most importantly, the Board has the authority to request expenditure limit adjustments every two years during general elections. This gives voters, when asked, the opportunity to evaluate performance before granting additional spending authority, a safeguard we should use, not bypass.

Prop 417 is excessive, premature, and financially risky. Once you approve a 20-year expenditure limit, it is much harder to correct course. Santa Cruz County deserves a thoughtful, measured approach — not a blank check.

Bruce Bracker
Tubac