April 25, 2008
Contact: Mike Phillips, media relations manager, (480) 312-7825
Final phase of Scottsdale budget hearings begins May 6
The final phase of public hearings begins May 6 on Scottsdale’s proposed fiscal year 2008-09 city budget.
The proposed spending plan maintains current service levels, recommends continued investment in public infrastructure and includes modest utility rate increases to adjust for inflation and new regulatory requirements.
The May 6 public hearing is one of three formal hearings that conclude the budget process. A second formal hearing takes place May 20 and final adoption is scheduled for June 3. Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any budget issue during the hearings.
All meetings begin at 5 p.m. in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. CityCable Channel 11 will broadcast the meetings live. The video also will be streamed on the city’s Web site.
Scottsdale’s proposed budget has four main parts:
- A General Fund that pays for most basic city services, such as police and fire protection, parks and recreation, libraries and social services, code enforcement, land planning and administration. The proposed budget forecasts expenditures out of the General Fund will be about $286 million in FY 2008/09.
- Specialty funds used only for specific purposes designated by voters or by state law. These include funds used for transportation-related purposes and for land purchases in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
- Enterprise funds that account for the city’s water, sewer, recycling and refuse collection programs and airport services. These services operate as stand-alone businesses and are supported by user fees, not taxes.
- A separate portion of the annual budget is the five-year Capital Improvement Program for infrastructure and public facilities – including roads, water and sewer improvements, public safety facilities, parks, buildings, and information technology. Scottsdale has budgeted about $847.3 million for capital project expenditures in 2008/09. The total is large because the capital projects normally take years to finish and the city must budget for the complete cost of each project each year.
Among projects included in this year’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan is the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, which received tentative funding approval from the City Council during a budget session held earlier this week. More information on the proposed bridge is available at:
http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org/development/Waterfront.php
A sampling of other key projects included in the Capital Improvement Program budget for 2008/09 includes:
- Construction of the new Appaloosa Library
- Construction of the first phase of the Grayhawk Community Park
- Construction of the Desert Foothills Fire Station 13
- Purchase of a new public safety radio system
- Construction of a police station at the McKellips Service Center
Under the proposed budget, Scottsdale’s sales tax and property tax rates will not change. The typical homeowner’s monthly combined bill for water, sewer, refuse and recycling service is expected to increase about $3.69 per month. Most of the increase is for more stringent environmental regulations that are not funded by the federal government.
More information on Scottsdale’s proposed budget is available at: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/finance.asp
There are many ways for residents to comment on Scottsdale’s proposed budget. Residents who cannot attend the budget hearing may write, call or email their comments to the addresses below.
Email: budget@ScottsdaleAZ.gov
Phone: (480) 312-2427
Address: Budget Comments, 7447 E. Indian School Road, Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ
85251-3922