It has been brought to our attention that council members do not take the same Oath of Office, we are also told that they must by statute take a loyalty oath.
E. In addition to any other form of oath or affirmation specifically provided by law for an officer or employee, before any officer or employee enters upon the duties of the office or employment, the officer or employee shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:
State of Arizona, County of ______________ I, _____________________
(type or print name)
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of ______________________ (name of office) ________________________ according to the best of my ability, so help me God (or so I do affirm).
______________________________________
(signature of officer or employee)
F. For the purposes of this section, “officer or employee” means any person elected, appointed or employed, either on a part-time or full-time basis, by this state or any of its political subdivisions or any county, city, town, municipal corporation, school district, public educational institution or any board, commission or agency of any county, city, town, municipal corporation, school district or public educational institution.

It appears that A.R.S #38-231 has been diminished in the city’s oath of office.

Ariz. AG warns of bogus labor-notice mailer Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne has issued a warning about a potentially deceptive mailing involving labor-rights notices.

Obesity: Causes, Symptoms and Complications – December 5, 6-7:30 p.m.

This class, taught by Dr. Emil Graf with Banner Gateway Weight Loss Center, will cover the causes of morbid obesity, types of surgeries available and outcomes after surgery.

The class will be held in the auditorium of the Surprise Public Safety Building, located at 14250 W. Statler Plaza.

For information or to register, contact Ruby Sitea at 623.222.3242 or ruby.sitea@surpriseaz.gov. Please register early since space is limited.

S‌urprise, A‌Z (November 28, 2016) The pick-up and drop-off locations for Route 571 – Surprise Express will relocate back to the Surprise Park-and-Ride at 13327 W Bell Road effective December 5.

The Park-and-Ride has been temporarily operating out of DreamCatcher Park, located at 14534 W Tierra Buena Lane, due to construction activity related to the Bell Road and Grand Avenue interchange improvement.

Please note that while Bell Road has reopened, Grand Avenue is not accessible from the Bell Road bridge and vice versa. A detour is in place to allow for connection between those roads until project completion in early 2017.

For more information, please contact Valley Metro Customer Service at www.valleymetro.org or 602.253.5000.

Council oks city center litigation settlement

S‌urprise, A‌Z (May 5, 2016) In a May 5 Special Meeting, the Surprise City Council unanimously approved a settlement to end litigation between the city and Surprise Center Development Company, which owns most of the land around the Civic Center Campus at Litchfield and Bell Roads.

Both parties are pleased to have come to terms on a settlement which achieves a full and final release of claims and believe this solidifies a partnership that will result in the development of a vibrant and engaging city center in Surprise.

S‌urprise, A‌Z (November 29, 2016) Chief Terry Young is pleased to announce that the Surprise Police Department has once again successfully completed a multi-year process designed to recognize professionalism in law enforcement through achievement of accredited status with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®).

The Surprise Police Department received their initial accreditation on November 17, 2007, and received two subsequent reaccreditations in November of 2010 and 2013. On November 5, 2016, the Surprise Police Department was awarded their third reaccreditation from CALEA, and fourth overall award. S‌urprise, A‌Z (November 29, 2016) Chief Terry Young is pleased to announce that the Surprise Police Department has once again successfully completed a multi-year process designed to recognize professionalism in law enforcement through achievement of accredited status with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®).

Original Town Site

I have come to the conclusion that the City of Surprise does not want to improve the O.T.S. Every one that I have talked to agrees, saying that they don’t want any part of Surprise because of it’s attitude.
The city has eliminated most of the infill incentives that were in place, for that reason investor’s like myself, walk away from the idea of investing in the O.T.S.

A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND A FREE SOCIETY CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL IF YOU HAVE A FREE PRESS. WITH THIS FREE PRESS YOU MUST HAVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS AND OUTSIDE GROUPS MONITORING THE ACTIONS OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, EITHER NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY.ARE LOCAL PAPERS SUPPRESSING INFORMATION THAT IS CRITICAL TO OUR WELL BEING. WE MUST BE INFORMED ON LOCAL ISSUES.

The icma (international city/county management association)  is a form of unionization where you lose the ability to hire local talent and the wages are not determined by supply and demand.

It is also my belief that if we can hire local people that are qualified, they live here by choice and generally show more loyalty to the community in which they live.

I mentioned this to a former Surprise Councilmember; his response was that we were in the major league now. My answer was, major league teams also looses games

Most cities are now controlled by the City Manager, and because the Mayor and Council members cannot talk to the department heads (according to city code) they do not have the ability to over see the way the city is run other then what the City Manager tells them.

In this scenario the City Council is basically a rubber stamp for staff.

The cost to maintain the old city hall building with no one occupying the building is $106,500. The breakdown is Contractual (pest, generator, fire compliance) – $10,200; Water – $9,100; Electricity $62,200 and Grounds Maintenance – $ 25,000. When the building is occupied by tenents, we will look at the increased cost verus income.

It’s your money

We were given the impression that the transparency being implemented by the City of Surprise is a commitment of council and management. “It’s Your Money”“Surprise is one of the few governments anywhere making this much information so easily accessible,” says City Manager Randy Oliver. “It demonstrates an ongoing council and management commitment to open, transparent public finance.”

In fact they are in the forefront of what was mandated by the State of Arizona when the legislature voted in 2008 to create a searchable website for government expenditures.

They the new Mayor Sharon Wolcott & Council is following in Lyn Truitt footsteps, the City of Surprise is renting or leasing city property below cost.

Surprise AZ (April 4, 2014) Tempe Assistant Fire Chief William Thomas Abbott will be the next Chief of the Surprise Fire-Medical Department, City Manager Chris Hillman announced today.

Going on the internet I found the ship I served on when I was in the service.Bob Vukanovich

Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945

ARS-9 USS Shackle  

Former Surprise Vice-Mayor Bob Vukanovich

His close personal friends read like a list of Who’s Whoin the American horse racing industry.as well as Surprise’s own “Arizona Bob.”Arizona Bob, also known as District 5 City Councilman Bob Vukanovich, has been handicapping race horses, rubbing elbows with owners, trainers and jockeys for more than 50 years. There are few people across the western United States that have as much time in the Winner’s Circle as Arizona Bob.“Horse racing is known as the ‘Sport of Kings,’ and I’ve always felt like a king,” Vukanovich said with a wide grin and a twinkle in his eye. “Of course, horse racing is about money for most people, but for me, it’s about the atmosphere around a race track. There is nothing like it.” Vukanovich, who lives in Kingswood Parke, was born in Los Angeles and then his mother returned to Chandler when he was 1-week-old. He recently returned from the summer racing season at Del Mar Racetrack outside San Diego. Now in his 80s, he’s been handicapping thoroughbreds since the late 1940s. “It all began with a couple of classes I took after the war at Golden Gate Field, north of Oakland.”

At some of the nation’s most prestigious race tracks, like Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, Vukanovich has cleaned stalls, groomed horses and made friendships with top jockeys, trainers and owners. He’s even owned racehorses. His close, personal friends read like a list of Who’s Who in the American horse racing industry … Willy Shoemaker, Bill Hartack, Eddie Arcaro, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay and Johnny Longden. All are inductees in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

Vukanovich, a long-time friend of the Longden family, gave the euology for Longden’s oldest son Vance, a leading trainer who died earlier this year. The elder Longden, who died one month earlier, was the first rider to win 6,000 races and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1958. He retired as the world’s winningest rider. “People began calling me “Arizona Bob” more than 30 years ago,” Vukanovich said. “They had a hard time remembering my name. I took the nickname so people could remember me. And it’s worked.”

Tracks across California, and Turf Paradise in Phoenix, still roll out the red carpet when Arizona Bob arrives for a race. A private viewing box, complimentary refreshments and usually an invitation to the Winner’s Circle are the normal courtesies extended to Vukanovich. “It is the ‘Sport of Kings,’ and they treat me like a king.”

So after playing the horses for more than 50 years, has Arizona Bob made any money? “You know, I’ve made thousands and lost thousands. I’m probably about even. But as I said, for me it’s not about money, it’s the sport of true King’s.

Senate OKs bill barring any mandate to set up HOAs

PHOENIX – Cities and counties would be prohibited from requiring developers to establish “planned communities” with home owner associations as…

Bob Vukanovich has always believed that, because the City of Surprise operates under the Council-Manager form of government, We have an unelected manager running the city. A good example of this is, now the city attorney will be under the control of the city manager.

With the close relationship that I have with the residents of the Original Town Site, I will defend them to the best of my ability that was why I chose to represent them as their councilman.Changes, yes by taking a farming community and developing it into a city we created a displaced population.

Many of the residents of the O.T.S., became service employees, which were needed and kept their wages in Surprise.

Because of the residents in the original town site, the City of Surprise receives approximately $400,000 each year in grant money that we would not receive otherwise.

Lets stop talking about this and do something, Mayor Wolcott has been talking about this for years.

Bus Rapid Transit along Grand Avenue
Wolcott called for all-day express bus service between Surprise and Phoenix along Grand Avenue, and a designated diamond lane for buses and carpools. She said planned improvements at the Grand/Bell intersection, the popularity of limited express bus service, the opportunity to revitalize Grand and the need to unite the Northwest Valley with the rest of the region, meant all-day express buses could “revolutionize” travel for thousands and transform the community.

The City of Surprise Municipal Property Corporation (MPC) is able to finance capital infrastructure. It is an “affiliate” of the City and exists under laws provided by the State of Arizona. The primary role of the Board is to authorize debt issues to finance capital infrastructure or refinance existing debt.

The Surprise City Council took a series of important actions Tuesday night in the City’s latest moves to repair past financial missteps.  The Council unanimously approved contracts with two firms who will examine development agreements, impact fee collections and expenditures dating back to 2000, and verify whether development impact fees were correctly assessed, collected and accounted for in the various impact fee funds. The Council also approved hiring temporary workers to take up the workload of full time staff needed to coordinate with the firms as the audits get underway.

Red Oak Consulting will analyze the financial obligations in the City’s estimated 90 development agreements and the City’s overall expenditure of impact fees prior to 2007. Red Oak will work with auditor Clifton Larson Allen to determine any differences in City compliance with the terms of the agreements and any financial impact the City may experience in the future. The Council approved an expenditure of $150,000 from the City’s Risk Management Fund to cover the contract, which is in effect until June 30, 2013.

Clifton Larson Allen, which recently completed the City’s FY11 audit, received Council approval to perform an audit of internal controls related to the assessment and collection of development impact fees.  Their objective is to verify that processes were adequate to mitigate the risk of improper assessment, tracking and collection of the fees. They will also verify that applicable building permits were charged the correct fee and that those fees were actually collected and accounted for in the appropriate funds. The Council approved an expenditure of $150,000 from the City’s Risk Management Fund to cover the contract, which is in effect until June 30, 2013.

The two firms will meet with staff to determine how to collaboratively develop procedures to understand the historic accounting of collected fees, their use and the manner in which the accounting and use conforms to applicable development agreements.  The procedures will also determine how each development agreement affects the determination, assessment and expenditure of development impact fees already received and those to be collected in the future.

2016

2‐2‐2/Local Officials Selected to Lead League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Douglas Nicholls, Mayor, Yuma   Christian Price, Mayor, Maricopa   Daryl Seymore, Mayor, Show Low
Current members re‐elected to two‐year terms on the Executive Committee include:

Sharon Wolcott, Mayor, Surprise

Jim Lane, Mayor, Scottsdale   John Lewis, Mayor, Gilbert   Jonathan Rothschild, Mayor, Tucson   Doug Von Gausig, Mayor, Clarkdale   Jerry Weiers, Mayor, Glendale   Sharon Wolcott, Mayor, Surprise

Census data is used by local decision-makers to determine where new roads, hospitals, child-care facilities, senior citizen centers and schools should be built. And businesses use census data to determine where to locate supermarkets, new housing and other facilities.

The City of Surprise has teamed up with The Employee Network to offer ALL of our employees an extensive Employee Discount Program. The Employee Network provides access to several hundred of exclusive discounts and unique offers from local and national companies to members of The Employee Network. Find discounts on just about everything from Automobiles, Restaurants, Golf, Hotels, Child Care, Theme Parks and much, much more.

With regard to Arizona, on June 18, 1987, State Governor Evan Mecham issued a proclamation declaring “the third Sunday in January, commencing in 1988 and every year thereafter to be Martin Luther King, Jr. – Civil Rights Day in the State of Arizona…”. However the proposal to create the Martin Luther King Day holiday was turned down in the Arizona Senate in 1988. In 1992, Arizona voters passed Proposition 300, which established a Martin Luther King/Civil Rights holiday on the third Monday of every January. Arizona observed this combined state holiday for the first time in 1993.

The Superior Court of Arizona refers to the third Monday of every January the civil rights holiday.

by Dustin Gardiner – May. 26, 2011 10:35 AM
The Arizona Republic

Refinancing city hall debt confounds Surprise officials by Dustin Gardiner – May. 27, 2011 12:22 PM
The Arizona Republic

City of Surprise Mayor and Council have approved the following funds in the FY 15 capital budget: $1.68 million for Surprise Farms park, $948,000 for Veramonte Park and $500,000 for a skate park

Jan 30, 2015 – “I’m hugely supportive of body cameras,” Surprise Police Chief Mike Frazier said, whose department bought 89 cameras for about $250,000 …

With regard to Arizona, on June 18, 1987, State Governor Evan Mecham issued a proclamation declaring “the third Sunday in January, commencing in 1988 and every year thereafter to be Martin Luther King, Jr. – Civil Rights Day in the State of Arizona…”. However the proposal to create the Martin Luther King Day holiday was turned down in the Arizona Senate in 1988. In 1992, Arizona voters passed Proposition 300, which established a Martin Luther King/Civil Rights holiday on the third Monday of every January. Arizona observed this combined state holiday for the first time in 1993.

The Superior Court of Arizona refers to the third Monday of every January the civil rights day.

Surprise has set up a phone number for residents to report potholes, blight or other concerns in their neighborhoods.

A city’s credit rating is important due to its impact on interest rates in the bond market. A better rating means the city can sell bonds to finance capital projects and pay a lower interest rate to the buyer. The City does not currently have General Obligation debt, S&P noted.A city’s credit rating is important due to its impact on interest rates in the bond market. A better rating means the city can sell bonds to finance capital projects and pay a lower interest rate to the buyer. The City does not currently have General Obligation debt, S&P noted.

I don’t have be hit over the head to know that if you’re not part of the establishment that it is almost impossible to change the way we are governed.

After the election that was held in the City of Surprise it is quite clear why the major paper in Arizona supported the candidates that they did, they wanted no change, wanting us to remain status quo. This is American politics at it’s worse.This is why they were instrumental in my recall and did not want me to be elected as the Mayor of Surprise

As you all know, I recently started a news and political web site. It was, and is, my intention to inform the citizens of Surprise of current events, decisions made by the Surprise City Council and the happenings within our city government.

Erin Zlomek
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 26, 2008 08:50 AM

Where else except in Surprise are the citizen’s not listen to by their elected representatives?
In the State of Arizona you can recall any elected official with-out cause.
If the S.O.S group or Save Our Surprise were sincere in saving Surprise where are they now?
Bring out the peanuts and cotton candy: the circus officially arrived at City Hall in Surprise, recently.

Robert’s Rules of Order have been replaced by the Barnum and Bailey’s rules of order.

The city has again denied recently that we had between $200,000,000 and $300,000,000 surplus in the fiscal year 2007 drawing interest.

Ex-Surprise chief files claim against city　Surprise City Council OKs internal loans　

The deficit fund balances in the General Government Development Fee Fund and the Fire and EMS Development Fee Fund are expected to be funded with future development impact fees received from issued building permits in their respective funds.

The entire Bell-Grand project, included the ramps connecting Grand Avenue to Bell Road, is scheduled to be complete prior to Spring Training 2017 at the Surprise Recreation Campus. In the meantime, your Bell to Grand Avenue access remains on Dysart Road, east of the intersection and Bell to Reems to Grand, west of the intersection.

Got questions about Surprise city government? We’ve got answers.
A division of the City Manager’s Office, Marketing & Communications communicates the goals and activities of Surprise city government and assists residents and visitors in finding information about the City. The Marketing & Communications division operates the City’s web site and Surprise Channel 11. The division also publishes the Surprise Progress quarterly, and Telephone Directory, brochures, advertisements and more. Communications staff also issues news release and responds to media inquires about city government.

Surprise, AZ (November 22, 2016) Surprise reminds residents to be responsible environmental stewards by properly disposing cooking oil, grease and fat remnants in the trash can or at designated dumping locations when preparing meals this holiday season.

For smaller amounts of grease, let it solidify in a pan or jar and then throw it in the trash can in a covered container.

For more information on how you can keep your pipes fat-free, call the environmental division at 623.222.7000.

S‌urprise, A‌Z (November 8, 2016)

Although there is still construction occurring at the intersection, the opening of the Bell Road Bridge is a major project milestone.

The entire Bell-Grand project is scheduled to be completed prior to Spring Training 2017 at the Surprise Recreation Campus. For more information about the project, visit surpriseaz.gov/bellandgrand.

S‌urprise, A‌Z (November 9, 2016) Surprise voters rejected a $63 million General Obligation bond initiative in the November 8th General Election, that would have funded nine capital improvement projects over the next five years.

S‌urprise, A‌Z (November 14, 2016) You can now take a virtual tour of city of Surprise public art projects! The city’s website offers a new interactive map showing the location of the art displays, along with photos and descriptions.

The map is available at www.surpriseaz.gov/arts, which also offers information about local arts venues and performance companies and includes a calendar of upcoming arts and cultural events.

The Bell Road closure was part of the ADOT US 60 (Grand Ave) and Bell Road Interchange project which began in January 2016.

Although there is still construction occurring at the intersection, the opening of the Bell Road Bridge is a major project milestone.

The entire Bell-Grand project is scheduled to be completed prior to Spring Training 2017 at the Surprise Recreation Campus. For more information about the project, visit surpriseaz.gov/bellandgrand.

The City of Surprise does not have a process in place to see if the mayor and council  members should have an increase pay.

Mayor Sharon Wolcott said this in eary 2014 nothing has happen yet.

Bus Rapid Transit along Grand Avenue
Wolcott called for all-day express bus service between Surprise and Phoenix along Grand Avenue, and a designated diamond lane for buses and carpools. She said planned improvements at the Grand/Bell intersection, the popularity of limited express bus service, the opportunity to revitalize Grand and the need to unite the Northwest Valley with the rest of the region, meant all-day express buses could “revolutionize” travel for thousands and transform the community.

HOME RULE

In November 2006, voters approved a Permanent Base Adjustment by 73.22% under option two. This option allows the city to permanently adjust the base when a majority of qualified electors vote in favor of the adjustment. The approved adjustment to the base is then used in calculating the new limitation (taking into account inflation and population) beginning the fiscal year immediately following approval and every year thereafter until a new base is adopted.

The permanent base adjustment increased the base from $474,998 to $9,000,000 effective for FY2008. This figure is adjusted by inflation and population for every subsequent year. The city’s FY2014 expenditure limitation is $912,481,187; while the budgeted expenditures subject to the limitation are $185,962,600. This calculation is depicted on Adopted Budget Resolution, Exhibit A, Schedule A (attached). This has not been a topic of discussion during the budget adoption as the city is so far below the limitation.

City Parks
• Section 10 – 24303 N. 183rd Ave.
• Asante Park – 16763 W. Vereda Solana Dr. (164th Ave and Pat Tillman Blvd.)
• Surprise Farms Park – 17894 W. Westpark Blvd.
• Sierra Montana Park – 17680 W. Spring Ln.
• Heritage Park at Marley Park – 15703 W. Sweetwater Ave.
• Veramonte Park – 122741 N. 140th Ave.
• 3-Star Park – 15825 Jerry St.
• Bicentennial Park/Lizard Run – 16705 N. Nash St.
• Johnson Townhomes Park – 16255 N. Desert Sage St.
• Gaines Park – 15837 N. Nash St.
• Stonebrook Park – 14431 W. Ely Dr.
• Surprise Community Park – 15953 N. Bullard Ave.

The city take over from American

The city is hiring high paying jobs for this take over from American. Do we analyze the city cost-benefit analysis by an outside firm? because they are saying that they will save between $5 to $7 million.

Surprise launches Property Tax information site. The City of Surprise has created a new web presence to help residents better understand property tax. The site includes a list of frequently asked questions, such as “Where do my property taxes go?” (mostly to education) and “How much of my property tax does the City receive?” (roughly 7 cents per dollar). It also provides links to additional resources through the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office

Do you know what options are available to help you plan for a future where you or a spouse might need long-term care?

The Spousal Impoverishment Act and OBRA 93
• ALTCS-Arizona Long Term Care System
• PPA-Pension Protections Act 2006
• Veterans’ and Veteran’s Widow benefits
• The all new hybrid insurance coverage

IS THE CITY STILL GIVING MONEY TO THE CHAMBER, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE POLITICAL.

The City of Surprise since September 2007 has given approximately $200.000 to the Chamber of Commerce and it appears that they are receiving an additional $50,000 a month.

By ZACH COLICK, Today staff | 

Directors of an organized group of concerned citizens say they will continue to fight for truth and open government this year while also attempting to expose corruption and deceit at Surprise City Hall.

Orcatruth.org.

NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Orcatruth.org

Chairman Chet Chetkauskas

Cleanliness, Recycling, Sanitation Services score sky high in Surprise Cleanliness, Recycling, Sanitation Services score sky high in Surprise

Surprise AZ (December 19, 2012) Surprise residents have a new way to hear directly from the city’s elected officials, thanks to an expansion of the popular “Notify Me” e-mail feature on www.surpriseaz.gov.By checking a box on the site, you can choose to receive e-mail directly from Mayor Sharon Wolcott or any of the city’s six City Council members.

“Residents or anyone who is interested in the activities of our Mayor and Council should have every opportunity to hear from them about their activities on behalf of Surprise,” said City Manager Chris Hillman. “Already, thousands of people receive e-mails directly from the city on important and breaking news, and now we offer the same opportunity to hear from our elected officials.”

The “Notify Me” features is an opt-in system where web visitors select from a menu of topics they wish to be contacted about, such as city news, recreation programs or Council agendas. They then receive email updates regarding their selected items only. The email addresses are not shared or used for any other purpose, Hillman says.

“It is an easy and hassle-free way to stay current on the community issues that interest you,” Hillman adds. “You hear first and firsthand about what is happening in city government directly from the City, and now, you get the same access to the Mayor and Council.”

To view the options and register to receive email updates, click the “Notify Me” icon at the bottom of the home page of the city web site, www.surpriseaz.gov.

CITYS BE AWARE

Of interest taken from the, MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION/RETREAT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2007

The Common Council of the Town of Chino Valley, Arizona met for a Study Session/Retreat in the Antelope Hills Golf Course Old Clubhouse, located at 1989 Clubhouse Drive, Prescott, Arizona, on Friday, August 10, 2007.

2) Opening Remarks. Town Manager Bill Pupo started off the meeting with a couple icebreakers.

3) Presentation and discussion regarding 5 Year budget and population forecasts. If the Town continued to grow at its current 10 percent, its population would be 93,027 in 2030. Impacts from population growth included population-based revenues taking up to seven years to reflect expenditures that were immediate; increased pressures for new capital outlay and higher levels of service; strain on road infrastructure, traffic circulation, sewer system capacity, and Town services; and balancing services to new residents with the revenues obtained from them.

Under current conditions, in five years, revenues would not be sufficient to support operating expenditures, the fund balance would be in a negative position, and additional commitments would continue to increase the negative position.

Steps to consider to improve the forecast included reviewing revenues and setting firm guidelines for cost recovery; reviewing programs and services for effectiveness and identifying cost saving strategies; identifying ways to slow down escalating personnel costs; and complying with financial policies regarding capital improvement funding,

The Common Council of the Town of Chino Valley, Arizona met for a Study Session/Retreat in the Antelope Hills Golf Course Old Clubhouse, located at 1989 Clubhouse Drive, Prescott, Arizona, on Friday, August 10, 2007.

2) Opening Remarks. Town Manager Bill Pupo started off the meeting with a couple icebreakers.

3) Presentation and discussion regarding 5 Year budget and population forecasts. If the Town continued to grow at its current 10 percent, its population would be 93,027 in 2030. Impacts from population growth included population-based revenues taking up to seven years to reflect expenditures that were immediate; increased pressures for new capital outlay and higher levels of service; strain on road infrastructure, traffic circulation, sewer system capacity, and Town services; and balancing services to new residents with the revenues obtained from them.

Under current conditions, in five years, revenues would not be sufficient to support operating expenditures, the fund balance would be in a negative position, and additional commitments would continue to increase the negative position.

Steps to consider to improve the forecast included reviewing revenues and setting firm guidelines for cost recovery; reviewing programs and services for effectiveness and identifying cost saving strategies; identifying ways to slow down escalating personnel costs; and complying with financial policies regarding capital improvement funding, debt issuance, and fund balance.
August 10, 2007 – Study Session
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