What keeps Scottsdale running? Meet the people behind your everyday city services
Before you turn on the shower, put your recycling at the curb or head out for a walk along the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, Scottsdale employees are already at work.
Some are testing drinking water. Others are maintaining streets and traffic signals, preparing recreation programs or answering emergency calls. Together, their work supports the daily routines of people across Scottsdale.
During Arizona Cities & Towns Week, Oct. 18–24, Scottsdale will highlight those services and introduce the people who deliver them. Now in its 25th year, the statewide observance recognizes municipal employees, volunteers and elected officials and helps residents learn more about their local government.
“Residents count on us to get the everyday things right, whether that means reliable water service, a well-maintained park or help when an emergency happens,” said City Manager Greg Caton. “Cities & Towns Week is an opportunity to meet the people doing that work and see how their service makes a difference in Scottsdale every day.”
That work reaches across the community:
Delivering water and protecting future supplies. Scottsdale Water employees operate treatment facilities, maintain water and sewer infrastructure and test water quality. At the Scottsdale Water Campus, the city also uses advanced treatment to purify recycled water and replenish the underground aquifer.
Keeping Scottsdale moving. Street maintenance and traffic engineering crews care for the roads, signs and signals residents use to reach work, school and local businesses. The city’s network also includes the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt’s 11-mile multiuse path, where underpasses and bridges help people walk and bike without crossing major intersections.
Responding when help is needed. Police officers, firefighters, dispatchers and support employees provide emergency response around the clock. Their responsibilities also include investigating crimes, preventing fires and helping residents prepare for emergencies.
Creating places to learn, play and connect. City employees maintain neighborhood parks, care for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and provide programs at libraries, pools and recreation centers. Their work makes everything possible, from a child’s swimming lesson to a library visit or a morning on a desert trail.
Building community and connecting neighbors to support. Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers serve as welcoming gathering places where residents can build friendships, socialize, and enjoy recreational programming. They also connect residents with social services and medical equipment loan programs. Human services employees help residents navigate challenges and find resources, while volunteers extend the reach of city programs.
Other employees support these services by maintaining city vehicles, managing technology, reviewing building plans, overseeing public funds and helping residents get answers.
Throughout the week, Scottsdale will feature different areas of city service on social media, giving residents a closer look at the work happening across their community.
Follow @ScottsdaleAZgov and #AZCityWeek to meet the people behind the services you use every day. Explore city programs and services at ScottsdaleAZ.gov.