Town Council – How They Voted

X = SUPPORTS Chamber’s position
X = DID NOT support Chamber’s position

July 2010
Small Businesses Win Big with Council’s Approval of Temporary Signs
Town Council members voted to approve sign code changes to relieve restrictions for temporary signage which is most beneficial for small businesses suffering from visibility issues. The Chamber surveyed its membership last fall and has been working with the Town since to encourage these changes.
 

	Yes	No	Other
Abbott	X
Cooper	X
Crozier	X
Daniels	X
Lewis	X
Presmyk	X
Sentz	X

The Chamber has been involved in the Citizen’s Budget committee to examine ways to balance the $14M budget deficit at the Town for the fiscal year of 2011. The Chamber hasn’t taken a position on the potential tax increases as there has been no official language provided that will be sent to the ballot as of yet. Items of interest regarding the budget the Council voted on January 26, 2010 are as follows:

Place a .25% transaction privilege tax (sales tax) increase on the May 2010 ballot (will increase from 1.50% to 1.75%) which will be used for public safety. At this time there is no sunset clause attached to the language.
 

	Yes	No	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels		x
Lewis		x
Presmyk	x
Sentz	x
Urie		x

Repeal the transaction privilege tax exemption for taxpayers leasing less than three lodging spaces. The Chamber previously supported this measure as it created a level playing field for all property owners leasing out rental property. This was previously passed by the Council but threatened to be referred to the ballot and rescinded in 2009. The Council discussed if they could repeal an issue that was referred at the dais level and decided to vote to send this to the ballot in May 2010. Motion failed; no action taken on the repeal.
 

	Yes	No	Other
Abbott		x
Crozier		x
Daniels		x
Lewis		x
Presmyk	x
Sentz		x
Urie	x

August 25, 2009

Town Council Supports Chamber Membership Investment

Special thanks to the Town Council for supporting their level of investment in Chamber! The Council was not questioning the value of the Chamber’s membership and did acknowledge the many services we provide for the betterment of the Town.

The discussion surrounded whether a Council policy regarding elected officials not being reimbursed for fund raising events applied to the Chamber’s Community Excellence Awards dinner and the Celebrity Waiter dinner, which is included in the Town’s membership benefit level. After a lengthy discussion it was decided the intent of the policy was to eliminate reimbursement of political fund raisers and possibly those charitable events elected officials may attend on behalf of their personal interests and not their elected position representing the Town.

It was a healthy discussion to have with newly elected members of the Council and Mayor seated; not only to learn more about the Chamber but also as due diligence with budget restraints in these uncertain economic times.

The commitment of our Chamber members through their investment of dollars and time allows the Chamber to partner with the Town of Gilbert to provide many services, above and beyond their membership benefits, for no additional cost to the Town. It’s a pleasure to work with such a dynamic group of business members who see beyond just their own business promotion to how investing in their Chamber’s mission helps the entire community. 
 

	Yes	No	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels	x
Lewis	x
Presmyk	x
Sentz		x
Urie	x

Town Council – How They Voted
August 11, 2009

X = SUPPORTS Chamber’s position
X = DID NOT support Chamber’s position

Town Council Rescinds Tax Increase

The Town Council rescinded its decision to raise the sales tax and residential rental tax as well as the introduction of the use tax at its August 11th Council meeting. In doing so, the referendum petitions will not be processed for a special election which would have allowed the community to vote on these tax changes. The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce supports the Council’s decision to move forward with the Citizen’s Budget Committee to evaluate further efficiencies and priorities for the community. Thank you to all of our members who have weighed in on this issue and who have applied to participate in the budget committee.
 

	Yes	NO	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels	x
Lewis	x
Presmyk	x
Sentz	x
Urie	x

Town Council Meeting 
June 30, 2009

Rental Tax – remove exemption
The Town Council approved removing the exemption on sales tax collection on rental property from owners who have less than three properties. The Chamber supported this change as it provided a consistent tax policy for rental property.
 

	YES	NO	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels	x
Lewis	x
Presmyk	x
Sentz	x
Urie	x

Add a new Use Tax of 1.0%
The Town Council approved a temporary 30-month (September 12, 2009 – May 31, 2012) use tax of 1% on goods purchased out of state where a sales tax was not collected. The Chamber did not support the introduction of this tax because of the impact on utility customers and school districts, however, did recommended if the Council moved forward on this new tax to consider a 1% tax instead of the 1.5% proposed. A yes vote noted below indicates support for the temporary tax at 1%. 

	YES	NO	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels		x
Lewis		x
Presmyk	x
Sentz	x
Urie	x

Increase Sales tax by .25%
The Town Council approved temporarily (September 1, 2009 – May 31, 2012) increasing the sales tax by .25%; the new sales tax amount to be collected is 1.75% for Gilbert. The Chamber opposed this increase. A yes vote noted below indicates support for the temporary tax increase of .25%.

	YES	NO	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels		x
Lewis		x
Presmyk	x
Sentz	x
Urie	x

Community Working Group to Evaluate Efficiencies
The Town Council approved a community working group to evaluate priorities and efficiencies throughout the Town. Council members Urie, Daniels, and Sentz will have until the Council Retreat in August to bring back recommendations as to mission, make-up of group, and public processes. The Chamber supported this community working group. A yes vote below indicates support for the working group.

	YES	NO	Other
Abbott	x
Crozier	x
Daniels	x
Lewis	x
Presmyk	x
Sentz	x
Urie	x

Non-Traditional Businesses, separation restrictions and conditional use permit
The Town Council approved an ordinance that would provide separation requirements and a conditional use permit for all listed “non-traditional” businesses. The Chamber argued that separation requirements provides an unfair geographic monopoly for the businesses the Town does not want while the conditional use permit would allow for public input. We were one vote short on securing just the conditional use permit for these businesses. A yes vote below indicates support for both separation and conditional use permit requirements. Non-traditional businesses include tattoo studios, pawn shops, check cashing (payday loans, etc.) operations. Hookah Lounges were placed under smoking lounge restrictions.

	YES	NO	Other
Abbott	x
Croizer	x
Daniels		x
Lewis	x
Presmyk		x
Sentz	x
Urie		x