By Scottsdale Pinetop
Here we go again.
Once again, the future of a potential bond measure relies on the verdict of an indecisive City Council.
What should have been an easy discussion to address many of Scottsdale’s infrastructure needs turned into a brawling match between City Council members – drawing political lines in the Arizona sand. 
There’s no doubt that winning a bond election is a tall order for many Scottsdale residents. Just three years ago, voters passed only two of the six bond requests and the last time the city passed a more comprehensive bond request for city infrastructure was 18 years ago. Such facts alone would make any city council member weary of attempting one. But just because it’s difficult, doesn’t mean that it’s not worthwhile.
City Council members weren’t elected to make the easy choice.
But according to Councilman Phillips, increasing the sales tax for transportation related projects is the way to go. The proposed .15 percent sales tax increase would generate over $15 million a year that would address smaller infrastructure projects than attempt a general obligation bond option in 2020. While this may seem like a fiscally conservative approach to the problem, it’s simply kicking the problem down the road for another city council to address.
Scottsdale is a beautiful and unique place because its residents and councils in the past have invested the in its future. We benefit today because of the good work and tough decisions previously made. Will we be able to say the same thing years from now about today’s leaders? Scottsdale and its voters have unquestionably allowed its infrastructure to deteriorate. Bond issuance are the most transparent and cost-effective approach to resolving the situation. This is something the City Council cannot afford to delay further, especially if it has hopes of being on the November ballot. Oh, and one last thing, split councils are usually not a good sign about chances for success at the ballot box. So how about some leadership, some compromise to set everyone on the same page to avoid yet another motherboard failure!