By Matthew Holloway |
Fountain Hills Councilman Allen Skillicorn says he has filed a report with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) alleging that signs supporting a school district budget override are blocking signs opposing the measure.
In an Oct. 9 news release, Skillicorn criticized the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce for supporting the override.
“I have filed an incident report with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office regarding the signs,” Skillicorn said. “The Chamber is free to advocate for higher taxes. But voters should be allowed to see both sides of the debate,” he added.
The release did not identify specific sign locations, who installed them, or any law enforcement determination that a violation occurred. AZ Free News requested more information from MCSO about the incident report but received no response by publication.
Responding to AZ Free News, Chamber President and CEO Betsy LaVoie rejected the allegation that the organization intentionally obstructed opposing signs:
“The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce stands firmly behind its support of the Fountain Hills Unified School District override, and we categorically reject Councilman Allen Skillicorn’s suggestion that our signs were intentionally placed to obstruct opposing viewpoints. If Councilman Skillicorn claims our signs are blocking his, I challenge him to produce photographic evidence showing exactly where that obstruction exists. We support everyone’s right to express their position, whether they agree with us or not.
“It is deeply disappointing to see an elected official devote law enforcement resources and taxpayer dollars to what appears to be a politically motivated and baseless complaint in his ongoing campaign against our local school district. Our deputies have far more important responsibilities than refereeing political disagreements over campaign signs.
“The Chamber’s position has always been about supporting our schools, protecting the quality of education in Fountain Hills, and maintaining a strong community that attracts families, businesses, and investment. Rather than manufacturing controversy over signs, perhaps Councilman Skillicorn should focus on the very real challenges facing our schools and the students who depend on them. We will not allow political distractions to overshadow what this election is actually about: the future of education in Fountain Hills.”
Skillicorn cited A.R.S. § 16-1019, which makes knowingly removing, altering, defacing or covering qualifying political signs a Class 2 misdemeanor during the statutory election period. For ballot measure signs, that period begins 71 days before the election and ends 15 days afterward.
The statute includes exceptions for actions authorized by the candidate or ballot measure committee responsible for the sign, actions by private property owners or their authorized agents, and other specified circumstances.
The dispute concerns Fountain Hills Unified School District’s maintenance and operations override election. The official voter pamphlet describes the proposal as a seven-year continuation of the district’s existing 15% override, financed through property taxes within the district.
The district estimates the full override would provide $1,198,017 in fiscal year 2027–28. Its estimated tax rate is $0.1675 per $100 of net assessed valuation, approximately equal to the existing override rate. The pamphlet estimates an annual cost of $78 for an owner-occupied home with a limited property value of $467,130.
Without approval, the existing override would decline by one-third in 2027–28, another third in 2028–29, and expire in 2029–30. The first-year difference between the proposed budget and the budget without renewal is estimated at $399,339.
The district describes the measure as a continuation of its existing override, with an estimated tax rate approximately equal to the current rate. Rejection would allow the existing override and its associated tax to phase out.
Skillicorn described the proposal as a “$6 million tax hike.” An AZ Free News calculation using the district’s estimated 2027–28 override amount and the ballot’s seven-year schedule puts the additional cumulative funding from renewal at about $5.99 million over a seven-year period compared with allowing the existing override to expire, assuming the district’s revenue control limit remains unchanged.
Using the pamphlet’s renewal and phaseout schedules:
| Fiscal year | With renewal | Without renewal | Additional funding |
| 2027–28 | $1,198,017 | $798,678 | $399,339 |
| 2028–29 | $1,198,017 | $399,339 | $798,678 |
| 2029–30 | $1,198,017 | $0 | $1,198,017 |
| 2030–31 | $1,198,017 | $0 | $1,198,017 |
| 2031–32 | $1,198,017 | $0 | $1,198,017 |
| 2032–33 | $798,678 | $0 | $798,678 |
| 2033–34 | $399,339 | $0 | $399,339 |
| Total | $7,188,102 | $1,198,017 | $5,990,085 |
Source: AZ Free News calculations using the annual estimate on page 4 and ballot provisions on page 10 of the official voter pamphlet. Assumes the district’s revenue control limit remains unchanged; these are illustrative calculations, not district-issued seven-year revenue projections.
“Looking at the Chamber’s track record, the question is simple: Has the FH Chamber ever seen a tax hike it didn’t support?” Skillicorn said.
In a statement posted to X, Skillicorn wrote:
“The Chamber has supported the Town’s primary property tax, the last failed bond tax hike, high-density Daybreak apartments, and Sandor’s urban style single-bedroom apartments. At this point, the pattern is hard to miss: if it raises taxes or increases high-density/section 8 housing, the Chamber seems to be there.
“Now there’s another issue. Numerous pro-override Chamber signs appear to be blocking signs opposing this $6 million tax hike. Arizona law, A.R.S. § 16-1019, makes knowingly covering a political sign supporting or opposing a ballot measure a Class 2 misdemeanor.”
The chamber’s argument supporting the measure, signed by President and CEO Betsy LaVoie and Board Chair Julie Jones, says its board of directors supports continuing the funding.
“This measure continues existing, voter-approved funding,” the argument states. “It is not a new tax or a new program. Continued M&O funding is critical to maintaining the quality, stability and success of our local schools.” The chamber argues that strong schools help attract and retain families, support property values, and strengthen the local workforce.
The district’s statement in the pamphlet identifies teacher and staff salaries, campus safety, all-day kindergarten, career and technical education, and extracurricular activities among the services supported by the override.
Skillicorn also submitted an opposing argument in the pamphlet, contending that renewal would prevent anticipated property tax relief. He called for the district to demonstrate how it uses proceeds from property sales and reduce the cost of maintaining underused campuses.
Under the ballot language, approval would continue override authority at 15% of the district’s revenue control limit through 2031–32, followed by 10% in 2032–33 and 5% in 2033–34. A no vote would allow the existing authorization to phase out.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
