I just got off the phone with the Mesa Parks and Rec Department. I was trying to get us hooked up with lights in the Nido/Spruce retention basin (One of the main projects everyone has been talking about.) I am very concerned about what I learned.

She stated that there is no money in the budget (No surprises here.) So I asked her if we raised the money ourselvs would we be able to get the lights installed. She stated that, with the current budget deficit, the city could not afford to maintain the lights even if we footed the bill for install. (Still not completely surprising.)

Next I asked her, if the tax issue passed, would there be a better chance to get the lights installed. Here is where it gets very concerning. She stated the following:

Passing the tax issue will only pay the bills due today. There is NO money for future project in the NEXT 5 YEARS. The City is unable to maintain lighting in our current parks, and as part of the budget cuts, lighting will be SHUT OFF in many recreation areas.

Basically, she stated we are WORSE than broke. We are BROKE, IN-DEBT, and unable to pay our current bills. Passing the tax will only bring our heads to the water line, not out of it.

I knew the financial issue was bad, I didn't realize it was this bad.

(Needless to say, we won't be getting the lights.)