After studying the various issues surrounding incorporation for more than 2 years and passing petitions for signatures, the Vail Exploratory Incorporation Committee was notified this week by Pima County election officials that Vail incorporation will be placed on the ballot on November 5, 2013.
On election day, a simple majority of Vail voters must approve the measure in order for the Town of Vail to be formed.
Only Vail residents that live within the proposed town boundaries are eligible to vote on the incorporation. If successful, Vail would be Arizona’s 92nd town/city following Tusayan which was incorporated in March 2010.
To incorporate a potential town or city in Arizona, ten percent of the registered voters living within the proposed town or city boundary must sign a petition supporting the referendum. Vail needed 717 valid signatures to qualify. According to the election officials, 1,027 were validated which was 43% more than required.
George Mower, a member of the Citizens for Vail Committee, said: “We are gratified by the response in the community. There was clear support for the incorporation concept by the voters we met with as we asked for their signatures. Many community members also volunteered to assist in the effort. Both new and older residents seem to realize that unless we organize as a community, we’ll be at the mercy of Pima County for determining the future of Vail.”
Incorporation supporters sought to incorporate the area because they believe that as a community, they can better decide how their community grows and develops while preserving and protecting those things Vail residents’ value.
Currently, the residents are governed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors and have little input into what happens in their area. Incorporation will not change existing land use which is grandfathered under current Pima County zoning.
Supporters also say that most basic services would continue as they are today and will not be impacted by incorporation including the Vail School District, fire protection, water service, and trash and sewer services.
Supporters have developed feasibility projections for the town which will not require an increase in property taxes. Property taxes can’t be raised without voter approval. Their estimated projection funds the Town of Vail’s operations strictly with state revenue funds and other available revenue sources.
They argue that incorporation can be done in a tax neutral fashion by utilizing the State revenue dollars that largely flow to Maricopa County today, while providing improved benefits to the community in terms of improved roads, police service levels, and local choice about how the community develops.
Supporters hope that incorporation will bring decision making from a State and County level to a local level.
The proposed town would encompass 35 square miles, and 11,500 residents.
