Carefree Truth
Issue #574, June 23, 2017
Mayor Les Peterson explained that the purpose of the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is to provide the City of Phoenix with a mechanism allowing the Town of Carefree to use the City of Phoenix hosted and developed municipal tax dashboards on the Phoenix Business Intelligence system while remaining in compliance with State Statutes. It authorizes the release of confidential tax payer information to the employees of the department whose official duties involve tax administration.
Town Clerk Kandace French explained that last year, statutory changes were made requiring the Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect all of Carefree's taxes. It also changes the reporting, affecting every municipality within the state. The Town staff can no longer generate the reports they were able to do previously in order to make forecasts and determinations of what tax revenue to expect in the future.
Because of the deeper pockets and the availability of IT, the City of Phoenix has developed a very comprehensive dashboard that can allow all the information from all the municipalities to be dumped into their system. It can be retrieved in a report order, however, they can not obtain any information regarding Carefree's taxpayers without this IGA that allows for the release of confidential information.
Mrs. French and Town accountant Jim Keen have attended meetings, training and a telephonic presentation on the use of this dashboard. The cost is minimal and many municipalities are participating. There is a $1,500 buy-in, after which municipalities are charged by population, so Carefree's annual cost is only $250. As a result, the Town will be able to pull out information necessary to generate tax revenue projections. If the Council approves the IGA, Mrs. French will send it back to the City of Phoenix and be able to move forward in the ability to access the dashboards.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if the information would be more timely than the 2-3 month lag time being experienced now. Mrs. French replied that it would be as timely as the State posts the information. There has been a better result as everyone gets used to the new system, which was implemented before Phoenix had the software to do the work required by the Legislature. They are playing catch up and training their staff. The Phoenix staff is getting faster, and is communicating weekly with her to update the progress.
Vice Mayor John Crane pointed out that the lack of the status put a burden on Carefree, and asked, if signed, how soon access to the data would be available? Mrs. French replied that it would be available as soon as the IGA is in place. The system is now up and running. She assumed it would be available within the month. She reminded the Council that, statutorily, they must be careful about what is released. They can provide information regarding types of payments but not information regarding specific taxpayers or anything that would violate the statutory requirement. It will be very similar to what they were given previously in the monthly reports.
Councilman Jim Van Allen asked if a breakdown by categories would not be part of it. Mrs. French replied that would not be the way it had been before. Mr. Van Allen asked, "Down the pike, can we massage it to get that information from what they give us?" Mrs. French replied that she couldn't answer that until she sees the reports.
Mayor Peterson, hearing no further questions, called for a motion and a vote. The Council voted unanimously to approve the IGA.
https://vimeo.com/221170930
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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.
Issue #574, June 23, 2017
Mayor Les Peterson explained that the purpose of the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is to provide the City of Phoenix with a mechanism allowing the Town of Carefree to use the City of Phoenix hosted and developed municipal tax dashboards on the Phoenix Business Intelligence system while remaining in compliance with State Statutes. It authorizes the release of confidential tax payer information to the employees of the department whose official duties involve tax administration.
Town Clerk Kandace French explained that last year, statutory changes were made requiring the Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect all of Carefree's taxes. It also changes the reporting, affecting every municipality within the state. The Town staff can no longer generate the reports they were able to do previously in order to make forecasts and determinations of what tax revenue to expect in the future.
Because of the deeper pockets and the availability of IT, the City of Phoenix has developed a very comprehensive dashboard that can allow all the information from all the municipalities to be dumped into their system. It can be retrieved in a report order, however, they can not obtain any information regarding Carefree's taxpayers without this IGA that allows for the release of confidential information.
Mrs. French and Town accountant Jim Keen have attended meetings, training and a telephonic presentation on the use of this dashboard. The cost is minimal and many municipalities are participating. There is a $1,500 buy-in, after which municipalities are charged by population, so Carefree's annual cost is only $250. As a result, the Town will be able to pull out information necessary to generate tax revenue projections. If the Council approves the IGA, Mrs. French will send it back to the City of Phoenix and be able to move forward in the ability to access the dashboards.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if the information would be more timely than the 2-3 month lag time being experienced now. Mrs. French replied that it would be as timely as the State posts the information. There has been a better result as everyone gets used to the new system, which was implemented before Phoenix had the software to do the work required by the Legislature. They are playing catch up and training their staff. The Phoenix staff is getting faster, and is communicating weekly with her to update the progress.
Vice Mayor John Crane pointed out that the lack of the status put a burden on Carefree, and asked, if signed, how soon access to the data would be available? Mrs. French replied that it would be available as soon as the IGA is in place. The system is now up and running. She assumed it would be available within the month. She reminded the Council that, statutorily, they must be careful about what is released. They can provide information regarding types of payments but not information regarding specific taxpayers or anything that would violate the statutory requirement. It will be very similar to what they were given previously in the monthly reports.
Councilman Jim Van Allen asked if a breakdown by categories would not be part of it. Mrs. French replied that would not be the way it had been before. Mr. Van Allen asked, "Down the pike, can we massage it to get that information from what they give us?" Mrs. French replied that she couldn't answer that until she sees the reports.
Mayor Peterson, hearing no further questions, called for a motion and a vote. The Council voted unanimously to approve the IGA.
https://vimeo.com/221170930
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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.