HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012.0126.TCOM.Minutesz:\council packets\2012\r3-1-12\120126retreatm.docx Page 1 of 2
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE GOAL SETTING RETREAT OF THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
JANUARY 26, 2012
Mayor Schlum convened the meeting at 8:33 a.m., which was held in the Fountain Hills Community Center.
Interim Town Manager Julie Ghetti addressed the Council and outlined the presentation (copy of the presentation
available in the office of the Town Clerk) before them today indicating that she would provide an economic update,
a review of the budget in brief, and how the Council’s goals exercise would ultimately be completed through the
use of the toolbox options.
Ms. Ghetti reviewed what toolbox options had been included in the proposed FY2012/13 budget, which had been
based on staff’s assessment of the Council’s previous retreat discussion (i.e. increased employee contribution to
health care premiums, decreased recreation subsidy, staff reduction [hours, vacant positions], a franchise
agreement, use of 10% General Fund reserves, renegotiation of the services of community contracts, and
recruitment of part-time prosecutor). Ms. Ghetti also discussed those items that had been placed in the toolbox
parking lot, which had not been included in the proposed budget (i.e. an incr ease in sales tax on
telecommunications and a reduction in the sales tax rate due to a franchise and telecommunication tax). Ms. Ghetti
reviewed the five-year General Fund projection, including projected General Fund revenues and expenditures, and
anticipated Highway User Revenue (HURF) and Downtown Excise Tax Revenues.
Ms. Ghetti outlined those new items that staff was proposing be included in the FY2012/13 budget: increased wash
maintenance, new equipment for GIS, ADWR fee, household hazardous waste event, major facilities maintenance,
increased toddler/teen events, citizen satisfaction survey, cost of living merit for staff, and anticipated increases in
both the MCSO (law enforcement) and Rural Metro (fire) contracts.
Discussion ensued regarding projected building permit and construction sales tax revenue; levels of service; when
the Ellman property would come on line; and the fact that everything was on the table with regard to preparing the
FY 2012/13 budget (revenues and expenditures). Ms. Ghetti stated that February was the beginning of the budget
process and the fact that staff wanted to include additional public outreach in April and that was why staff was
working towards having the draft budget compiled in March.
Additional discussion took place relevant to legal fees and what happened if there were unexpected costs; the fact
that staff had included extra funding for legal fees but if that were exceeded, there would still monies in Town’s
contingency fund that could be used; otherwise, the Town’s budget would have to be reduced elsewhere to cover
those unanticipated costs. Mayor Schlum commented that he felt the Town was in survival mode and had not yet
arrived at sustainable. Ms. Ghetti stated that the Town was only sustainable if some of the toolbox items were
adopted in the budget. She noted that the proposed budget assumed that all of the toolbox items were included but
that the budget did not address major items such as roads. She responded to Councilmember Leger stating that the
increase in State Shared revenues should take care of the $300,000 - $400,000 that would be required for road
maintenance next fiscal year.
Ms. Ghetti continued with an explanation of the Goals Exercise and stated that now the Council would be asked to
prioritize the goals by way of points and that staff wanted to hear the Council’s expectations of the goal associated
deliverables. A graph was displayed showed the ranking of the Council’s goal exercise (copy available in the office
of the Town Clerk) – highest priorities and lower priorities.
Ms. Ghetti reviewed the outcome of the prior exercise and each of the highest ranking priorities; the Council then
identified more specific areas to address during the next fiscal year budget. Priority 1:C3 – Stakeholder feedback;
Priority 2:EV1 – Comprehensive economic development strategy; Priority 3: EV2 – Balanced, equitable,
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sustainable financing structure; Priority 4: EV4 – Promote retention, expansion and relocation of business; Priority
5:I2 – Develop a locally controlled, reliable funding source for infrastructure; Priority 6:CR7 – Communicate role
of government, costs so residents can make informed choices; Priority 7: CR2 – Utilize talents of citizens to address
community needs; Priority 8: CR3 – Foster a culture of public service and volunteerism; Priority 9: R2 – Provide
interconnected, multi-use trail and bicycle system promoting active living; Priority 10: I3 – Maintain assessment of
all roadways and sidewalks, implement maintenance efforts to minimize costly reconstruction; Priority 11: C2 –
Support community events to build community and friendship; Priority 12: CR1 –Foster an environment of
accessible, responsive governance; Priority 13: CR6 – Evaluate customer satisfaction with Town services on a
regular basis and implement improvements; Priority 14 & 15: For other priorities not included. Ms Williams
recorded items under each priority as verbally discussed by the Council; Ms. Ghetti stated that the listing would be
provided to the Council for their review once completed.
Discussion ensued regarding the funding of the Posse and CARE programs as part of the new fiscal year budget,
the suggestion that a possible Fire Station be included on a future agenda for discussion, and Councilmember
Hansen’s suggestion that the proposed budget schedule be modified to have the adoption of the tentative and final
FY2012/13 budget moved from May to June.
In response to Vice Mayor Dickey Ms. Ghetti stated that the next budget discussion would be held on March 20.
Ms. Ghetti confirmed that staff wanted to keep the Council Candidates engaged early on in the process and to have
the ability to reach out to the public early on in order to solicit input.
Mayor Schlum adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
By_____________________________
Mayor Jay T. Schlum
ATTEST AND
PREPARED BY:
_________________________
Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Council Goal Setting
Retreat held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills in the Fountain Hills Community Center conference room on
the 26th day of January 2012. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 1st day of March 2012.
_____________________________
Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk