Carefree Truth
Issue #741, April 22, 2019
(Lyn's note: This meeting was 2 hours long, but Herbert has broken up the videos into manageable segments. I will present the basics from the slides, but please take the time to watch the videos as the Carefree staff department heads talk about their many duties. It is invaluable information if you care to understand what goes on at Town Hall on a daily basis, and explains why I so respect and appreciate our staff members.)
Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/2020 Budget Workshop #1
A budget is a plan/forecast, a list of priorities and public needs that determines services and service levels, and a proposal for capital improvements. In January and February, the department heads begin to evaluate workloads, trends, and policy/regulatory changes which impact the budget. In February and March, the Town receives the annual adjustments from outside entities such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Rural/Metro (R/M) Fire Department, Maricopa County, and the State. In March and April, the administration begins to formulate a budget. In April, budget meetings are held to discuss and develop the budget. In May, the preliminary budget and bottom line expenditures are established. In June, the budget hearing is held. The new FY begins each July 1st.
This was the first of three public budget meetings. The purpose of this meeting was to review with the department heads the workload and current needs, and to discuss priorities for the upcoming FY. It was a conversation between the staff and the Council to gain clarity and create a common understanding of the department priorities, issues, and concerns for the next FY. The identified goals and needs help to mold the budget.
Core services
Administration-Town Clerk and Town Administrator:
Public Records and Elections, Town Finances, Risk Management, Legal, Capital Improvements, Human Resources, and Intergovernmental Agreements/Contract Management.
Community Development:
Building Safety, Planning and Zoning, and Code Enforcement
Marketing:
Events, Public Relations, and Communication
Municipal Court:
Public Safety:
MCSO and R/M
Public Works:
Maintenance
Administration 2 Full Time Employees (FTE)
Gary Neiss' role is to oversee the daily management of the Town departments, administer Town contracts, submit and manage municipal permits, and write/review/manage all policies and regulations of the Town. He holds frequent meetings with Council members, citizens, development interests, and other regulatory/development agencies. His workload includes MS4 (storm water) implementation, and infrastructure improvements which involve the water acquisition, streets pavement maintenance, and pedestrian crosswalks improvements Request For Proposals and Request For Qualifications. He holds ongoing meetings with Council members, citizens, development interests, and other regulatory/development agencies. Budget impacts include inflation on contracts, membership dues and utilities, as well as 2020 Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) marketing fees.
https://vimeo.com/331148402
Town Court 2FTE
Court Clerk Jennifer Curtiss reported that their role is to process all civil and criminal citations in Carefree and Cave Creek, respond to public inquiries, maintain accurate court records, and distribute monies according to State Statue. There has been an increase in revenue due to the change in MCSO leadership and an increase in public inquiries due to legislative changes. They manage the daily operations, sometimes with a single staff member. New forms are required due to legislative changes, and there are increasing costs, both of which impact their budget.
Issue #741, April 22, 2019
(Lyn's note: This meeting was 2 hours long, but Herbert has broken up the videos into manageable segments. I will present the basics from the slides, but please take the time to watch the videos as the Carefree staff department heads talk about their many duties. It is invaluable information if you care to understand what goes on at Town Hall on a daily basis, and explains why I so respect and appreciate our staff members.)
Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/2020 Budget Workshop #1
A budget is a plan/forecast, a list of priorities and public needs that determines services and service levels, and a proposal for capital improvements. In January and February, the department heads begin to evaluate workloads, trends, and policy/regulatory changes which impact the budget. In February and March, the Town receives the annual adjustments from outside entities such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Rural/Metro (R/M) Fire Department, Maricopa County, and the State. In March and April, the administration begins to formulate a budget. In April, budget meetings are held to discuss and develop the budget. In May, the preliminary budget and bottom line expenditures are established. In June, the budget hearing is held. The new FY begins each July 1st.
This was the first of three public budget meetings. The purpose of this meeting was to review with the department heads the workload and current needs, and to discuss priorities for the upcoming FY. It was a conversation between the staff and the Council to gain clarity and create a common understanding of the department priorities, issues, and concerns for the next FY. The identified goals and needs help to mold the budget.
Core services
Administration-Town Clerk and Town Administrator:
Public Records and Elections, Town Finances, Risk Management, Legal, Capital Improvements, Human Resources, and Intergovernmental Agreements/Contract Management.
Community Development:
Building Safety, Planning and Zoning, and Code Enforcement
Marketing:
Events, Public Relations, and Communication
Municipal Court:
Public Safety:
MCSO and R/M
Public Works:
Maintenance
Administration 2 Full Time Employees (FTE)
Gary Neiss' role is to oversee the daily management of the Town departments, administer Town contracts, submit and manage municipal permits, and write/review/manage all policies and regulations of the Town. He holds frequent meetings with Council members, citizens, development interests, and other regulatory/development agencies. His workload includes MS4 (storm water) implementation, and infrastructure improvements which involve the water acquisition, streets pavement maintenance, and pedestrian crosswalks improvements Request For Proposals and Request For Qualifications. He holds ongoing meetings with Council members, citizens, development interests, and other regulatory/development agencies. Budget impacts include inflation on contracts, membership dues and utilities, as well as 2020 Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) marketing fees.
https://vimeo.com/331148402
Town Court 2FTE
Court Clerk Jennifer Curtiss reported that their role is to process all civil and criminal citations in Carefree and Cave Creek, respond to public inquiries, maintain accurate court records, and distribute monies according to State Statue. There has been an increase in revenue due to the change in MCSO leadership and an increase in public inquiries due to legislative changes. They manage the daily operations, sometimes with a single staff member. New forms are required due to legislative changes, and there are increasing costs, both of which impact their budget.
Jennifer Curtiss
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331237119
Town Clerk/Treasurer 2 FTE
The role of Town clerk/Treasurer Kandace French Contreras is the care, custody, and State Statue mandated retention of all the records, books, and papers for the Town, the Water Company, and the cemetery. The Clerk is the election official responsible for all the State required duties. She receives and safeguards all monies received, maintaining separate records and accounts for different funds, and supports the Town Administrator as needed to allow him to effectively manage the Town. Her workload includes overseeing the daily staffing and the assignments of support staff. She does the daily banking, is responsible for evidence of indebtedness, wire transfers, and State budget reports. She coordinates employee benefits, Town insurance, and claims as needed. Also a paralegal, Mrs. Contreras supports the Town attorney in the drafting of legal documents and the managing of legal actions. She processes, catalogs, and manages contracts, State mandated documents, records of historical value, minutes, ordinances, and resolutions, and is responsible for required record retention and destruction on a timely basis. Budget impacts include record management and retention, and the transition from paper to an Electronic Document Management System (Laserfiche United to Avante), and election related activities, filings, publications, and hosting.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331237119
Town Clerk/Treasurer 2 FTE
The role of Town clerk/Treasurer Kandace French Contreras is the care, custody, and State Statue mandated retention of all the records, books, and papers for the Town, the Water Company, and the cemetery. The Clerk is the election official responsible for all the State required duties. She receives and safeguards all monies received, maintaining separate records and accounts for different funds, and supports the Town Administrator as needed to allow him to effectively manage the Town. Her workload includes overseeing the daily staffing and the assignments of support staff. She does the daily banking, is responsible for evidence of indebtedness, wire transfers, and State budget reports. She coordinates employee benefits, Town insurance, and claims as needed. Also a paralegal, Mrs. Contreras supports the Town attorney in the drafting of legal documents and the managing of legal actions. She processes, catalogs, and manages contracts, State mandated documents, records of historical value, minutes, ordinances, and resolutions, and is responsible for required record retention and destruction on a timely basis. Budget impacts include record management and retention, and the transition from paper to an Electronic Document Management System (Laserfiche United to Avante), and election related activities, filings, publications, and hosting.
Kandace French Contreras
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331277680
Marketing (1 FTE)
Beth Renfro's role is to oversee marketing and press communications, maintain the overall branding and positioning messages, manage/maintain Town events, the Event Calendar, and rental events, and serve as a liaison with Carefree businesses and residents. Her workload includes traditional and digital media planning and buying, timely press releases, web updates, monthly emails, social media communications, etc. She is the Event Director for all Town branded events, and holds ongoing meetings with businesses, residents, Town partners and clients, visitors, etc. The largest segment (82%) of her requested budget is event related spending, along with the re-positioning of branding ("Sonoran Desert at its Finest" and "Keep it Carefree").
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331277680
Marketing (1 FTE)
Beth Renfro's role is to oversee marketing and press communications, maintain the overall branding and positioning messages, manage/maintain Town events, the Event Calendar, and rental events, and serve as a liaison with Carefree businesses and residents. Her workload includes traditional and digital media planning and buying, timely press releases, web updates, monthly emails, social media communications, etc. She is the Event Director for all Town branded events, and holds ongoing meetings with businesses, residents, Town partners and clients, visitors, etc. The largest segment (82%) of her requested budget is event related spending, along with the re-positioning of branding ("Sonoran Desert at its Finest" and "Keep it Carefree").
Beth Renfro
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331354449
Rural/Metro Battalion Chief Dennis Rohrman presented for Rural/Metro. There were no slides.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331354449
Rural/Metro Battalion Chief Dennis Rohrman presented for Rural/Metro. There were no slides.
Battalion Chief Dennis Rohrman
https://vimeo.com/331404023
Public Works (4 FTE)
Their role is to maintain/repair public facilities, install traffic signs, assist with public events, and manage/maintain Town equipment. Their workload includes storm clean-up, street shoulder maintenance, tree trimming, roadside litter/trash pick-up, and signage maintenance. Budget impacts are requests for a new Case tractor and a new Izuzu pick-up truck.
https://vimeo.com/331404023
Public Works (4 FTE)
Their role is to maintain/repair public facilities, install traffic signs, assist with public events, and manage/maintain Town equipment. Their workload includes storm clean-up, street shoulder maintenance, tree trimming, roadside litter/trash pick-up, and signage maintenance. Budget impacts are requests for a new Case tractor and a new Izuzu pick-up truck.
Travis Johnson
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331411625
Planning Director and Zoning Administrator (2 FTE)
Stacey Bridge-Denzak updates and implements the General Plan and other development related documents, recommends updates and revisions to the Zoning Ordinances, Town Code, and Subdivision regulations, often based on State mandates. She meets with the Planning & Zoning Commissioners, Council members, citizens, applicants, businesses, property owners, and interests to discuss development plans, cases, permits, and general opportunities in Carefree. She reviews zoning cases (both administrative and public hearing), building permits, and Right-of-Way (ROW) applications. These include site visits, inspections, and construction pre-conference meetings. She fields development questions. She reviews/resolves code enforcement issues with Chief Building Official Mike Tibbett and Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Stuckey. She is also responsible for the updates and creation of Town maps. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak's current and anticipated workload includes the infrastructure plans and building permit for the Hampton Inn, and the infrastructure plans, final site plan(s) and building permits for the new commercial center on the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road. Through the course of the year, she will also deal with approximately 2-3 text amendments, 2-3 Special Use Permit requests, 5-6 variance requests, 5-6 mountainside cases, and 7-8 zoning letters, as well as processing all other building and ROW permits, and the enforcement of MS4 storm water enforcement. She will participate in the Census 2020 Complete Count Committee and various tasks. She talks to walk-ins and answers phone calls from those with development questions, and responds to public record requests. This FY's budget impacts are a special project and a potential new employee because the current Planning Clerk is leaving.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331411625
Planning Director and Zoning Administrator (2 FTE)
Stacey Bridge-Denzak updates and implements the General Plan and other development related documents, recommends updates and revisions to the Zoning Ordinances, Town Code, and Subdivision regulations, often based on State mandates. She meets with the Planning & Zoning Commissioners, Council members, citizens, applicants, businesses, property owners, and interests to discuss development plans, cases, permits, and general opportunities in Carefree. She reviews zoning cases (both administrative and public hearing), building permits, and Right-of-Way (ROW) applications. These include site visits, inspections, and construction pre-conference meetings. She fields development questions. She reviews/resolves code enforcement issues with Chief Building Official Mike Tibbett and Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Stuckey. She is also responsible for the updates and creation of Town maps. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak's current and anticipated workload includes the infrastructure plans and building permit for the Hampton Inn, and the infrastructure plans, final site plan(s) and building permits for the new commercial center on the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road. Through the course of the year, she will also deal with approximately 2-3 text amendments, 2-3 Special Use Permit requests, 5-6 variance requests, 5-6 mountainside cases, and 7-8 zoning letters, as well as processing all other building and ROW permits, and the enforcement of MS4 storm water enforcement. She will participate in the Census 2020 Complete Count Committee and various tasks. She talks to walk-ins and answers phone calls from those with development questions, and responds to public record requests. This FY's budget impacts are a special project and a potential new employee because the current Planning Clerk is leaving.
Stacey Bridge-Denzak
https://vimeo.com/331420025
Building Safety Division (1 FTE)
Mike Tibbett performs inspections, reviews plans, and issues building permits. He meets with developers, homeowners, contractors, and architects to resolve complex building code issues, and provides safeguards for the public and property related construction. In 2018, he reviewed 246 plans and performed 3,478 inspections. He investigates illegal construction and issues Stop Work orders. The budget impacts will be outside professional fees for the Hampton Inn inspections and plan review, and vehicle maintenance on the 2012 Ford Escape.
https://vimeo.com/331420025
Building Safety Division (1 FTE)
Mike Tibbett performs inspections, reviews plans, and issues building permits. He meets with developers, homeowners, contractors, and architects to resolve complex building code issues, and provides safeguards for the public and property related construction. In 2018, he reviewed 246 plans and performed 3,478 inspections. He investigates illegal construction and issues Stop Work orders. The budget impacts will be outside professional fees for the Hampton Inn inspections and plan review, and vehicle maintenance on the 2012 Ford Escape.
Mike Tibbett
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331432728
Code Enforcement (1 FTE)
Kevin Stuckey addresses complaints, serves as the Court bailiff, issues vendor and estate sale permits, (he issued 530 business licenses in 2018/19), and provides office back-up. There are no significant changes in his workload in the coming FY. The budget impact is repairs on the 2012 Ford Escape.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331432728
Code Enforcement (1 FTE)
Kevin Stuckey addresses complaints, serves as the Court bailiff, issues vendor and estate sale permits, (he issued 530 business licenses in 2018/19), and provides office back-up. There are no significant changes in his workload in the coming FY. The budget impact is repairs on the 2012 Ford Escape.
Kevin Stuckey
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/331445910
The next budget meeting will be held on April 23rd, a budget overview of revenues and expenses. On April 30th, the final budget meeting will be held to review and discuss the draft of the line item budget. On May 7th, the tentative budget/bottom line will be adopted. On June 4th, the final budget will be considered for adoption, and on July 1st, the new FY begins.
https://vimeo.com/331440215
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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