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.
Source: AZ Free News calculations using the annual estimate on page 4 and ballot provisions on page 10 of theofficial 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.
“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.”
Press Release: Apparently, the Fountain Hills Chamber Has Never Met a Tax Hike It Didn’t Like
I’d like to welcome the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce to the $6 million override tax-hike campaign—with its new political signs. I guess they must have missed the Orange & Blue… pic.twitter.com/5psBbIkFEr
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.
The transgender mayoral candidate for Fountain Hills was accused of using the town’s logo in his campaign materials.
Last month, the town of Fountain Hills issued a cease-and-desist letter to town council member Brenda Kalivianakis for incorporating the town’s logo into his mayoral campaign logo.
The Fountain Hills logo is based on the town’s famous 560-foot fountain, the tallest in the world when it was first built in 1970.
The logo’s depiction of the fountain has a saucer-shaped base resting on three horizontal lines representing water, three slated prongs protruding upward on each side from the base, a nozzle in the center of the base out of which emerges a jet of water curving up to the left, and two lighter-colored curves bending downward. The town adopted the logo in 2023.
Kalivianakis’ logo has many of the same markers: the three water lines, the saucer-shaped base, the three prongs on either side of the center nozzle, the upward arc of water curving to the left, and the two lighter shades of curves bending downward from the water.
The main difference between the town’s logo and Kalivianakis’ campaign logo is the latter has two additional lines coming off the upward arc of water to form the letter “K,” and the words “Brenda for Mayor” to the left of the fountain symbol.
On Monday, Kalivianakis posted a press release from his campaign addressing the cease-and-desist letter. He argued his logo was “clearly distinguishable and creates no likelihood of confusion with the Town’s mark,” and claimed contentions had more to do with his speech than the logo.
Per Kalivianakis, the town will hire a trademark attorney and potentially bill him for the costs. Kalivianakis called it a waste of taxpayer dollars.
“Using taxpayer resources to target a candidate’s campaign materials raises serious questions about selective enforcement and interference with protected speech,” stated Kalivianakis’ press release.
Kalivianakis closed with a plea for donations to his campaign.
Mayoral and council candidates all received a cease-and-desist letter from the town attorney, Jennifer Wright, last month. At that point, it wasn’t made clear who, specifically, was at fault for the trademark violation out of all the candidates.
However, Kalivianakis told the Fountain Hills Times that he believed the cease-and-desist was a politically motivated, targeted attack by Wright aimed at him.
“I’m disappointed that the highly partisan Town Attorney is attempting to manipulate a local election by threatening trademark litigation. My logo is not a recreation of the Town’s official logo,” said Kalivianakis. “It is a fair use depiction of our community’s most recognizable landmark, something that has long been a tradition in political campaigns.”
In 2023, Kalivianakis was cleared of an ethics complaint by an outside attorney. The complaint alleged Kalivianakis violated the town code by requesting a director investigate and remove a sign allegedly in violation of sign code rather than communicating that request through the town manager.
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The Fountain Hills Town Council voted to adopt a resolution banning all DEI on Tuesday. Councilman Allen Skillicorn, who introduced the measure, noted that the policy was authored with the assistance of the Goldwater Institute.
“I talk a lot about how Fountain Hills is open for business,” Skillicorn said. “Tonight, I get to join Amazon, Disney, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s, McDonald’s, Molson Coors, Pepsi, and Toyota in rejecting divisive DEI policies. In the public sector, the Supreme Court ruled that most forms of affirmative action were unconstitutional in 2023. Our town joins the Federal Government, Department of Education, and many states banning divisive DEI.”
Skillicorn noted, “Included in the language is also a ban against using invented gender identity pronouns in town email signatures.”
The measure was debated in an explosive 45-minute segment of the town council meeting which saw frequent sparring between Councilwomen Peggy McMahon and Brenda Kalivianakis, and Councilman Skillicorn as well as Vice Mayor Hannah Toth.
Kalivianakis, speaking on the resolution, accused the Councilman Skillicorn of “mischief,” saying, “I’m reticent to because ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’ I could use those same adages, ‘problem solution seeking a problem,’ but I do see mischief in this too and and maybe for the sponsor of the bill.”
Responding to concerns that the resolution could preclude the town from membership in various civic organizations, Skillicorn clarified, “If those organizations that we belong to are in violation of and have active divisive Dei policies, it appears that yes, our town does have a problem with divisive DEI policies.”
Councilmembers Gayle Earle, Rick Watts, and Allen Skillicorn voted in favor of the ban along with Vice Mayor Hannah Toth and Mayor Gerry Friedel. Councilwoman Peggy McMahon voted against and Councilwoman Brenda Kalivianakis abstained.
Watch the Town Council Meeting Section on the DEI Policy:
One Arizona town recently pledged cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On Tuesday, the town of Fountain Hills passed a resolution (6-1) pledging cooperation with ICE’s mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration.
The resolution cited the existence of over 647,000 illegal immigrants with pending charges or convictions for violent crimes within the U.S. as justification for the town’s support.
“[T]he Town remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of its residents, particularly those most vulnerable to criminal activities such as human trafficking and drug distribution,” stated the resolution. “[T]he Town will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, recognizing that there can be conflicts between federal and state laws.”
The resolution also committed the town to not becoming a sanctuary town as others in the state have done, and pledged to seek assistance from the U.S. Attorney General’s office to indemnify the town and employees for any assistance or cooperation provided to federal immigration authorities.
According to a press release also issued on Tuesday, Fountain Hills Town Council member Allen Skillicorn drafted and introduced the resolution. Skillicorn cited his past experience as an Illinois state lawmaker as the impetus for presenting the policy.
“Not long ago I was a state legislator. I had to solve problems, both present and in the future,” Skillicorn said. “My commitment is to our town and keeping our town safe from crime.”
Fountain Hills, passed a resolution of cooperation with ICE to enforce Federal immigration law. “My commitment is to our town and to keep our town safe!”
— Skillicorn for Arizona🌵 🇺🇸 (@allenskillicorn) March 5, 2025
The resolution didn’t pass unanimously.
Councilwoman Peggy McMahon questioned whether Skillicorn was accusing town council members, staff, and community members of impeding law enforcement. McMahon further alleged the resolution would encourage racial profiling.
“Are you saying they’re not doing their job in enforcing the laws? Are you implying the town and the sheriffs are not committed to cooperating with enforcing laws to protect the health, the welfare, and the safety of our community?” asked McMahon. “Accordingly, the resolution to me is moot and legally unenforceable. So I don’t even know why we’re talking about it.”
McMahon also argued that illegal immigrants were responsible for just a small fraction of crimes committed in their town and the state as a whole.
Councilman Brenda Kalivianakis, who voted for the resolution, asked why the resolution was necessary. Kalivianakis criticized the resolution as another “time-sink” designed to further other council members’ political careers and not the town’s priorities.
“This seems like a solution looking for a problem. This isn’t a problem we have in this community. It seems like a case of just virtue signaling. Here I am, I’m going to lead the way on DEI and all these nationally divisive issues and then I’m going to appear in some small newspaper tomorrow and be called a hero,” said Kalivianakis. “Why are we talking about things that don’t matter?”
During the same meeting on Tuesday, the town council passed a resolution (5-2) banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the usage of gender identity-based pronouns.
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In a 5-2 vote last week, the Fountain Hills Town Council rejected the ‘Vision Zero Road Diet Plan,’ to be initiated through a Federal FY 2024 SS4A Grant Program applied for under former Mayor Ginny Dickey.
The grant is part of the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” despite its wide rejection by all but two House Republicans and a majority of GOP Senators. The grant would have launched a two-year long project with $240,000 in federal funds matched with $60,000 from the town, bringing the total taxpayer cost to $300,000, according to documentation prepared by Town Engineer David Janover.
The summary of the plan explains: “This grant aligns with the Town’s commitment to Vision Zero principles, aiming to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries while fostering safer, more accessible transportation infrastructure. Additionally, the grant is in direct accord with the Town’s 2022 Strategic Plan which notes a priority of ‘improving the public health, well-being, and safety of our town.’”
The plan purported to:
Identify areas for infrastructure improvements to enhance safety for all users.
Develop speed management strategies in high-risk areas.
Engage residents through public outreach to reflect community needs.
Address pedestrian accessibility and emergency route improvements.
Provide a framework for future safety improvements and grant applications.
Councilman Allen Skillicorn, joined by fellow councilors Gayle Earle, Rick Watts, Vice Mayor Hannah Toth, and Mayor Gerry Friedel, voted to reject the Resolution citing the plan’s inclusion of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies.
Councilwoman Earle asked pointedly during the Jan. 21st meeting, “How is this plan racially equitable? Climate change, how does that relate to streets?”
As noted by Earle, the text of the grant agreement included a page-and-a-half-long commitment to “Improve Racial Equity and Reduce Barriers to Opportunity,” in which the town provided a “supporting narrative.” It stated, “The Town of Fountain Hills is committed to addressing equity considerations as part of its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan under the SS4A grant. While Fountain Hills is an affluent community, its neighboring community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, represents an underserved population. Recognizing the proximity and interconnectedness of these communities, the Town will actively engage with representatives from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to gather input on how Fountain Hills’ street and walking networks can better serve all users and improve regional equity.”
“Efforts will include:
Targeted Outreach: Collaborating with leaders and residents of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to understand how Fountain Hills’ transportation infrastructure impacts their access to opportunities and regional connections.
Community Engagement Workshops: Hosting inclusive sessions to gather feedback on specific barriers to safe walking, biking, and driving within Fountain Hills for residents traveling from or to the Nation.
Equity-Focused Improvements: Using feedback to identify opportunities for enhancing transportation safety and accessibility in Fountain Hills, such as improved pedestrian crossings, better wayfinding, and multimodal infrastructure.
This approach ensures the Town of Fountain Hills addresses equity and reduces barriers to opportunity within its jurisdiction while fostering a collaborative relationship with its neighboring community. By integrating these considerations into the Safety Action Plan, the Town demonstrates its commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all.”
Skillicorn condemned the plan saying, “This plan includes a commitment to gender equity, why? This plan mentions greenhouse gases seven times, mentions climate change nine times, mentions environmental justice thirteen times, and mentions equity twenty times. Our town and our nation have rejected wokeness and DEI. Today is a new era of common sense. This is not for our town.”
Last night Fountain Hills, AZ rejected woke DEI Road Diets 5-2. Earle, Friedel, Toth, Watts, and Skillicorn all voted to kill woke Vision Zero while both McMahon and Kalivianakis voted for road diets and transportation social justice. pic.twitter.com/QefGwvtSNl
— Skillicorn for Arizona🌵 🇺🇸 (@allenskillicorn) January 22, 2025
As referred to by Skillicorn, the grant agreement included a commitment to “prioritized climate change resilience and environmental justice.” It stated, “To address environmental justice, we have engaged with local communities, including those historically affected by environmental disparities, to understand their specific needs and concerns. This engagement informs our plan to incorporate shaded pathways, safe pedestrian areas, and accessible emergency routes, ensuring equitable access to cooler, walkable areas that mitigate urban heat island effects. Together, these actions reflect our commitment to climate adaptation and environmental justice, enhancing the well-being and resilience of all residents.”
Skillicorn followed with a motion to deny what he referred to in a statement to AZ Free News as the “Woke DEI Vision Zero Road Diet Plan.” Vice Mayor Hannah Toth seconded the motion observing, “Of course we want zero pedestrian injuries. My job is to find hidden meanings, often these are not so great in practice. Fifteen Minute Cities sound great but are not. Vision Zero is something I do not feel comfortable inviting into our town.”
