Mesa Proving Grounds Update

The Planning and Zoning board has approved DMB's plans for the Mesa Proving Grounds. They say that there is still more work to be done on the specifics, but the zoning change recommendations and other big things are being forwarded to the Council for their September 22nd meeting.

Also, the deal that will bring the mega-resort to Mesa has been outlined. There will be no sales tax rebates for the project, but the developer will get to keep a portion of the bed taxes to promote tourism. This is money that would have normally gone to the Mesa CVB. Since they will be required to use it to promote the area, its appears like directing the money that is being generated by the site into promoting the site to bring in even more tourists. Sounds like reinvesting in the project.

They will also get a deal on their property taxes. Which, if you think about it, is a pretty good deal for Mesa since we don't have a property tax. In all, after the last few deals being focused on sales taxes, I think voters will be happy to see other creative ways to generate revenue for the city. Perhaps this is the shift we need to start broadening the financial base of Mesa so we can count a future that is not tied directly to the boom/bust cycles of sales tax.