"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #1016, April 26, 2022
Issue #1016, April 26, 2022
Gary Neiss changed the focus to the Operational expenses side of the ledger for the second budget meeting. He is very proud of the Town staff, which is one of the smallest in the state, and Carefree has one of the smallest operational budgets in the state. As noted previously, Carefree has only 5 departments: Public Safety, Administrative Services, Community Development, Public Works, and the Municipal Court. Public Safety, which includes police and fire protection, is the only one that is contracted out, and the rest are full time staff employees (FTE).
Carefree's budget for the 2022/2023 fiscal year (FY) is 1. Operations- $2,065,857; 2. Public Safety-$2,621,694; 3. Human Resouces (salaries and benefits)-$1,973,795, plus a $200,000 contingency fund for a total of $6,861,346. The Town is conservatively anticipating receiving approximately $7.1 million of revenue.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if this anticipated the expenses associated with joining automatic aid for fire protection. Mr. Neiss responded that he would be going into that.
Carefree's budget for the 2022/2023 fiscal year (FY) is 1. Operations- $2,065,857; 2. Public Safety-$2,621,694; 3. Human Resouces (salaries and benefits)-$1,973,795, plus a $200,000 contingency fund for a total of $6,861,346. The Town is conservatively anticipating receiving approximately $7.1 million of revenue.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if this anticipated the expenses associated with joining automatic aid for fire protection. Mr. Neiss responded that he would be going into that.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is proposing a 13% increase in the cost of their services. But there are additional services, if needed, that come with that contract for no additional cost. There are other costs associated with Law Enforcement that are not supplied by MCSO.
Carefree will be in a transition program with Rural/Metro (R/M) for fire services this coming FY at a cost of $1,900,000. The goal to join automatic aid is a time consuming joint effort. "You cannot just flip a switch and make that change." The "bridge" contract will be 18 months, at which point the Town will see where the community is with joining automatic aid as far as costs and liabilities. The options will be discussed with citizens in a series of Open Houses and with Council members. If it doesn't happen in that 18 month timeline, then Carefree will continue on with R/M for another 42 months while the dialogue continues. There are also funds budgeted for additional training for the already qualified current fire fighters in order to comply with automatic aid requirements.
Mayor Les Peterson noted that in talking to other mayors at the Maricopa Association of Government (MAG), they are also attempting to factor in inflation and a 5% cost of living raise plus 2-1/2% merit increases this year, and could increase those if inflation continues at the current rates.
Mr. Neiss continued on to Operations, which covers everything from office supplies to paying utility bills to required permits from State and County agencies. It covers a broad range of costs that are paid on an annual basis, including those presented by the staff departments at the previous meeting.
Carefree will be in a transition program with Rural/Metro (R/M) for fire services this coming FY at a cost of $1,900,000. The goal to join automatic aid is a time consuming joint effort. "You cannot just flip a switch and make that change." The "bridge" contract will be 18 months, at which point the Town will see where the community is with joining automatic aid as far as costs and liabilities. The options will be discussed with citizens in a series of Open Houses and with Council members. If it doesn't happen in that 18 month timeline, then Carefree will continue on with R/M for another 42 months while the dialogue continues. There are also funds budgeted for additional training for the already qualified current fire fighters in order to comply with automatic aid requirements.
Mayor Les Peterson noted that in talking to other mayors at the Maricopa Association of Government (MAG), they are also attempting to factor in inflation and a 5% cost of living raise plus 2-1/2% merit increases this year, and could increase those if inflation continues at the current rates.
Mr. Neiss continued on to Operations, which covers everything from office supplies to paying utility bills to required permits from State and County agencies. It covers a broad range of costs that are paid on an annual basis, including those presented by the staff departments at the previous meeting.
The final part is Human Resources. Carefree has a small staff of 17 FTE. He challenged anyone to find a staff that does as much as Carefree's does. They are talented and dedicated, and he is very proud of them, the work they perform, and the accomplishments they articulated last week. There will be a 13% increase in the health insurance rate, due largely to Covid claims, and a 5% cost of living and merit increase. Both of these are standard in other communities as well.
https://vimeo.com/702296876
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
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Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.