Welcome
to the
Sun City Taxpayers Association/
SCTA Community Action Network
Sun City Taxpayers Association/
SCTA Community Action Network
Sun City, AZ
"Guardian of Sun City's Pocketbook"
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Welcome
to the Sun City Taxpayers Association/ SCTA Community Action Network |
Sun City, AZ "Guardian of Sun City's Pocketbook" |
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WELCOME TO SUN CITY! One such organization is the Sun City Taxpayers Association. The Sun City Taxpayers Association acts on behalf of the community and surrounding area in matters affecting utility rates, taxes and legislation. A sister organization; the Sun City Taxpayers Association Community Action Network provides assistance to disabled persons and low income seniors in meeting their basic needs and maintaining an independent life style. We are supported by membership dues and private donations. Membership in the Sun City Taxpayers association is voluntary with annual dues of Ten Dollars per year per person. There is no membership in the Sun City taxpayers Association Community Action Network. This is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and supported by donations only. NEWS FOR FALL 2008 This would go directly against our very strong mission statement to help protect the pocketbooks of all the citizens of Sun City Our goal is to double the number of members and increase donations.This will be a big challenge, in light of the current economy, but our purpose is to respond to the challenge. Sun Citydoes nothave a local government, there is no City Council, City Manager or Mayor to question Utility Rate Increases, County and State Tax Increases or Fire District Tax Increases.The Sun City Taxpayers Association assumes these responsibilities. It must be remembered that we operate on funds received for that year, and therefore, we could become extinct within one year.All that has to happen is for enough members to decide not to participate “this” year.SCTA exists solely on your membership fees and donations.
So, how do we continue without raising membership fees? Two ways; We feel that our services are vital to the community and must continue to be an active functioning organization in Sun City. Our services are free to all who need us. You do not have to be a member to get help from the SCTA. We are dedicated to serving those in need. We house the Maricopa County Assessors local office, the AARP Tax Aide Program, Benefits Check Up and Assistance; we intercede in areas of legislation, proposed increases in utilities and taxes and are considered an all around clearing house for those in need of assistance. In 2008 we have had more than 9,000 happy clients use our services. More than 95 percent of our work is done by volunteers. The remaining part, the paid staff, is necessary to keep the volunteers on track and run an efficient office. Our reputation has been built over 40 years. We feel that we are a major contributor to the “quality” of a Caring Community that Sun City has enjoyed for many years. We are most grateful for your past support which has benefited Sun City by maintaining an affordable Retirement Community. Our need for your generosity and continued support has not gone away. We ask that you help us to help others.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF The SCTA joined a group of Legislators and Business Leaders in attempting to persuade the Governor to make permanent the suspension of the County Equalization Tax which has been suspended since 2006.Unfortunately this effort failed and the tax will be reactivated in 2009. UTILITY UPDATEThe SCTA successfully opposed the estimated $5 Million Water Flow Improvement project requested by Arizona American Water Company. Youngtown has taken the decision by the Arizona Corporation Commission to the Appeals Court. We are now in the wait mode for a decision by the Appeals Court. In another action the SCTA successfully opposed an interim rate hike requested by APS. APS has submitted a request for a 9.4 Percent rate increase. Hearings for this request are currently scheduled for March 2009. SUN CITY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY ACTION
NETWORK “SCTA CAN” SCTA CAN was incorporated and gained IRS sanction as a 501(c)3 charitable organization in 2006. The activities of the SCTA CAN increased to become the most productive organization in the state in processing Benefit Check Ups. The sole financial support for SCTA CAN was the SCTA through 2007. Near the end of 2007 SCTA, without warning, learned that they had lost the financial support of a Major Corporate Sponsor. This was a wake-up to reality call. The leadership reviewed the financial situation and concluded that the SCTA would have to shut down by mid year 2008 unless something miraculous happened. It was recognized that the support of the Corporate Sponsor had allowed the organization to become a bit complacent relative to membership drives and fund raising. A plan was crafted and implemented with an urgency of survival. The response of the community was generous. The membership was increased and donations were increased. Within two months the organization has funds to cover operation through 2008 and into 2009. Something miraculous truly happened. It became obvious that the community valued our service. This experience injected an energy and renewed determination to move forward with plans to reach-out to those in need of our services.
MEDICARE TRAINING FOR SCTA CAN VOLUNTEERS
County Assessor Sun City Office
AARP Tax Aid Program We will no longer be taking reservations for tax preparation. We will operate on a first come, first serve basis. We plan to open at 8:00 AM and will stop accepting clients at 3:00 PM, i.e., your name must be in the queue by 3:00 PM. We are excited about the new facility provided by the SCTA. The new facility is much larger and better ventilated. The filing process will be less taxing for both the client and counselor. We are always looking for volunteers to help us with this very successful service. Positions include Counselors,Greeters, Intake Interviewers and Schedulers.
SCTA’S HISTORY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SCTA'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: From 1977 to the present, the SCTA has been a presence at the Arizona Corporation Commission intervening in numerous, rate increase requests by the Sun City Water/Sewer Companies (now Arizona American Water Company) saving residents millions of dollars from unwarranted rate increases. The SCTA prevailed in 1997 in lowering both water and sewer rates, but the Arizona Corporation Commission did approve AZ-AM's Golf Course Pipeline project (February 2003) allowing the water utility to get involved in the operations of our Recreation Centers. Yet again in 2003 the water utility, AZ-AM, applied to the Arizona Corporation Commission for a rate increase of almost 88% for water. The ACC staff and RUCO (Residential Utility Consumer's Office) recommended considerably lower rates and the SCTA supported their recommendations. Together we prevailed and the Corporation Commissioners approved an increase in water rates of only 32% and a decrease in sewer rates. In 2001, the SCTA filed a lawsuit against the Recreation Centers of Sun City and Sun City Water Company (AZ-AM). The case centered around each member/owner's right to vote on issues affecting significant assets of the RCSC. The SCTA lost in Maricopa County Superior Court and appealed to the Arizona Court of Appeals. In 2003, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part the lower court's ruling. The Appellate Court affirmed the lower court's ruling that the SCTA did not have standing to sue the RCSC and water company, but reversed the lower court's ruling that the exchange of millions of dollars of water rights owned by the RCSC for CAP water was in fact a conveyance and remanded the case back to Superior Court. Seventy-five individually named plaintiffs came forward and filed an Amended Complaint in Superior Court in April of 2004. The RCSC prevailed in this case but the Judge ruled that the SCTA suit was not frivolous and therefore; not responsible for the legal expenses of the RCSC. In 2000, the SCTA campaigned to support Proposition 104, freezing valuations on residences of low-income home owners 65 or older. The SCTA, as a public service to the community, sponsors a representative from the Tax Assessor's Office. This representative helps residents interpret Property Tax valuations, file exemptions, appeals and Proposition 104 applications to freeze property valuations on residences. In 1998, SCTA successfully opposed both a House and Senate Bill proposing the doubling of Property Taxes in Sun City and the addition of a Secondary Property School Tax, thus constituting a high savings for Sun City. In 1996, the SCTA successfully opposed the proposed Maricopa County Charter Government. Voters in Sun City voted over 72% against the approval of the Charter. Between 1991 and 1993, SCTA fought and won reinstatement of the Personal Income Tax exemptions lost when the 1990 AZ tax laws were changed. In 1988, SCTA contested the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1261 (Sun City School Tax). It was declared unconstitutional on November 26, 1990 by the Superior Court. This action saved Sun City Millions of Dollars. In 1987, SCTA led the campaign that defeated the Rio Salado Project and the resulting increase in taxes. (Underwriting a $12,000 media campaign in opposition).In 1983, SCTA lobbied in support of establishing the Residential Utility Consumers Office (RUCO). RUCO acts on behalf of residential utility consumers at the Arizona Corporation Commission. In 1980, the SCTA led a drive at the local level to remove the state sales tax on food. Our efforts were successful. Annually, at the SCTA Membership meetings, local, state and federal government officials are asked to come out to Sun City to speak to our members. Speakers have included Secretary of State Jan Brewer, Maricopa County Assessor Kevin Ross, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Supervisor Max Wilson, Arizona Corporation Commissioners Mark Spitzer and William Mundell and various others. These meetings are open to all residents.
The mission of the Sun City Taxpayers Association is to protect Sun City's pocketbook, lifestyle, and peace of mind without prejudices or political bias. We pledge to work to maintain the integrity of Sun City, to remain independent in our thinking, and to pursue issues based on merit, benefit, fairness, fact, and truth.
Related Links
Gleason, Mike (Chairman)
Hatch-Miller, Scott (Commissioner)
Mayes, Kristin (Commissioner)
Mundell, William (Commissioner)
Pierce, Gary (Commissioner) Arizona Legislators
Robert Burns, Senator
Rick Murphy, Representative
Debbie Lesko, Representative |
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