"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 #1014, April 23, 2022
Issue #1014, April 23, 2022
Gary Neiss reported that many years ago, Carefree looked at the possibility of consolidating the court with Cave Creek's court, and Mr. Neiss presented a financial model. The first time around, there was no interest on the part of Cave Creek. Then they ran into some issues. They came back to Carefree and a contract was negotiated. That Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is now used by other courts in the state of Arizona. Recently, it was used by Cottonwood and Camp Verde to consolidate their courts. "Our court is a point of pride within the state of Arizona. The Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) is trying to encourage other small communities to adopt the same model we have." Judge Parascandola is excellent. Her Court Administrator, Marilyn Dodge, is going to present what they have been doing and some challenges they face for next year.
Ms. Dodge explained that the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court is a very small municipal court that tries civil and criminal traffic cases and non-traffic criminal misdemeanor cases. She has been in the court system for almost 19 years, and has been the Court Administrator for 7 months. She loves our Court.
The Court serves the communities of Carefree and Cave Creek. Their role is to process all civil and criminal citations issued within the jurisdiction. They accurately maintain these records and process and distribute all monies received, according to Statute. They respond to public inquiries and are sometimes a "mini Chamber of Commerce". They suggest that tourists check out the Sundial and the Gardens, and tell them where they can hike, eat, and shop.
They have accomplished a lot since Judge Parascandola started last year. Ms. Dodge particularly thanked the Council for supporting veterans by renewing the Veterans' Court contract. She thanked Erica Shumaker for helping to update their Covid protocols. Mr. Neiss noted that the Court is in very good hands.
Ms. Dodge explained that the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court is a very small municipal court that tries civil and criminal traffic cases and non-traffic criminal misdemeanor cases. She has been in the court system for almost 19 years, and has been the Court Administrator for 7 months. She loves our Court.
The Court serves the communities of Carefree and Cave Creek. Their role is to process all civil and criminal citations issued within the jurisdiction. They accurately maintain these records and process and distribute all monies received, according to Statute. They respond to public inquiries and are sometimes a "mini Chamber of Commerce". They suggest that tourists check out the Sundial and the Gardens, and tell them where they can hike, eat, and shop.
They have accomplished a lot since Judge Parascandola started last year. Ms. Dodge particularly thanked the Council for supporting veterans by renewing the Veterans' Court contract. She thanked Erica Shumaker for helping to update their Covid protocols. Mr. Neiss noted that the Court is in very good hands.
This ended the part of the budget meeting about the various departments, their roles, accomplishments, and goals.
https://vimeo.com/699507848
Mr. Neiss reported that the second budget meeting would cover operational costs and the revenues that support it. But Capital Improvements are outside of operational costs.
https://vimeo.com/699507848
Mr. Neiss reported that the second budget meeting would cover operational costs and the revenues that support it. But Capital Improvements are outside of operational costs.
The Town has saved money in reserves from one time revenue streams, rather than from ongoing revenue. That's mostly construction sales tax and savings over the operational budget. Money that is not expended over a given fiscal year (FY) is added to the Capital Reserves Fund. There is a lot of liability in aging infrastructure like streets and culverts. The Town has to reinvest in that infrastructure. Like human health, if not managed properly, the cost to fix it later on skyrockets.
If you look at your tax bill, you pay property taxes to Maricopa County Flood Control District (MCFCD). None of those funds come back to Carefree. Finally, due to Mr. Milstone's good efforts, Carefree is getting some money back via a grant, which is not an easy feat. The prerequisite for getting a grant from MCFCD for culvert repair is that it has to flood a structure.
The signage is aging. The speed signs help to educate residents and visitors alike. The technology today is better than it was 5 years ago, as can be seen in the slide. Some of the traditional Stop and Yield signs need to be replaced. They are looking at software to catalogue all the signs so they have a database of the thousands of signs throughout Carefree.
Once the Water Consolidation Project is completed, a street surface treatment will be done on the north and southwest sides of Carefree that have not yet been treated. A portion of the 18 cents per gallon state gas tax comes back to Carefree from the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF), which is restricted to use on streets.
Fire protection is not about operational costs. It's about infrastructure. The well known company that made Carefree's fire truck went out of business and the Town can't get replacement parts for it. Carefree is holding back because an upgraded truck is required to join the automatic aid partnership, and in the meantime, Mr. Neiss has applied for a federal grant.
At the high level, the Town is looking at approximately $5 million in expenses and $5 million in revenue for the Capital Projects, so a balance of the Capital Funds. That marries with what was presented at the April Council meeting for the Capital Improvement Plan for the coming FY.
https://vimeo.com/699524509
Up Next:
https://vimeo.com/699535238
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.
If you look at your tax bill, you pay property taxes to Maricopa County Flood Control District (MCFCD). None of those funds come back to Carefree. Finally, due to Mr. Milstone's good efforts, Carefree is getting some money back via a grant, which is not an easy feat. The prerequisite for getting a grant from MCFCD for culvert repair is that it has to flood a structure.
The signage is aging. The speed signs help to educate residents and visitors alike. The technology today is better than it was 5 years ago, as can be seen in the slide. Some of the traditional Stop and Yield signs need to be replaced. They are looking at software to catalogue all the signs so they have a database of the thousands of signs throughout Carefree.
Once the Water Consolidation Project is completed, a street surface treatment will be done on the north and southwest sides of Carefree that have not yet been treated. A portion of the 18 cents per gallon state gas tax comes back to Carefree from the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF), which is restricted to use on streets.
Fire protection is not about operational costs. It's about infrastructure. The well known company that made Carefree's fire truck went out of business and the Town can't get replacement parts for it. Carefree is holding back because an upgraded truck is required to join the automatic aid partnership, and in the meantime, Mr. Neiss has applied for a federal grant.
At the high level, the Town is looking at approximately $5 million in expenses and $5 million in revenue for the Capital Projects, so a balance of the Capital Funds. That marries with what was presented at the April Council meeting for the Capital Improvement Plan for the coming FY.
https://vimeo.com/699524509
Up Next:
https://vimeo.com/699535238
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.