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Tunstall: Very few Gold Canyon property owners would consider annexation

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Question to the candidates ("Apache Junction council, mayor candidates weigh in on pros, cons of annexing Gold Canyon"). Gold Canyon being annexed by Apache Junction?

I think very few property owners in Gold Canyon would even consider it.

Apache Junction city policies along with planning and zoning regulations have created a city that relies on a seasonal service industry for tax revenue.

Data USA started keeping demographics on Gold Canyon 10 years ago. The following is their data comparison of the two cities.

Apache Junction; Gold Canyon:

  • Population 39,000; 11,000
  • Growth rate 1.8%; 11.1%
  • Median property value $91,000; $281,000
  • Median household income $40,000; $70,000
  • Poverty level 20.4%; 7.6%
  • Median income growth 2.8% 3.44%

If the growth rates continue at the above rates Gold Canyon will have a greater population than Apache Junction in the near future.

Most economists had been predicting a downturn in the economy in 2021. COVID-19 has started that downturn now with a vengeance.

The area most affected is the seasonal service industry. This is a critical source of tax revenue for Apache Junction.

I think a better question to the candidates might be “If the current economic problems continue what steps will you take to generate enough income to avoid the city being forced to unincorporate?"

Editor's note: Kim Tunstall is a resident of Apache Junction.