Residents in the City of Somerton will vote on the home rule in November. | Stock Photo
Residents in the City of Somerton will vote on the home rule in November. | Stock Photo
The home rule will be on the ballot for the City of Somerton residents to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the city’s website.
Somerton is one of more than half of the cities in Arizona that utilize the rule, which lets the city spend money it gets from taxes. It allows the city council to determine what resources the area needs, instead of depending on a state spending formula that went into effect roughly 40 years ago.
The purpose of the home rule goes back to 1980 as state voters changed its Constitution in hopes of monitoring and overseeing how the city spends money. It established spending limits that grow with a city’s population. It also keeps up with inflation.
Currently, 45 municipalities take advantage of the home rule, including cities like Somerton, Phoenix, Florence, Nogales, Gila Bend, Avondale, Bisbee, Chandler, Tombstone and Mesa.
Voters in the city have voted "yes" to continue the home rule since 2000. If approved this time, the city set an estimated spending schedule: $26,595,000 in 2021-2022, $27,463,000 in 2022-2023, $27,484,000 in 2023-2024 and $27,506,000 in 2024-2025.
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