"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 #918, May 3, 2021
Issue #918, May 3, 2021
The first budget meeting for the fiscal year (FY) 2021/22 took place on April 13th. This is the first of 4 public meetings to discuss the budget. Gary Neiss explained that a budget is a forecast/plan, a list of public needs, a determination of services and service levels, and a proposal for capital improvements.
The 2020-2022 Council Work Plan includes:
1. Guiding Principles-
Carefree is a distinctive, premier Upper Sonoran Desert community that seeks to deliver a high quality lifestyle, experience based retail destinations, and access to nearby expansive desert preserves and lakes.
2. Value Statement-
Carefree's leadership is committed to providing a safe community with quality infrastructure and services within its limited financial capacity, and limiting tax liability on its residents.
3. Core Tasks-
Carefree strives to meet these goals through quality community development, economic development and financial stability, communications, marketing, and community engagement.
The process unfolds as follows. In January and February, the department heads begin to evaluate the workload, trends, and policy/regulatory changes which might impact the budget. In February and March, the Town receives annual adjustments from outside entities such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Rural/Metro Fire Department (R/M), Maricopa County, and the State. In March and April, the administration begins to formulate the budget. In April, budget workshops are held to discuss and develop the budget. In May, the preliminary budget and the bottom line expenditures are established. In June, the budget hearing is held. The new FY begins July 1st.
Organizational Structure:
1. The Citizens of Carefree
2. The Mayor and Council
3. The Town Administrator
There are 5 Departments with 15 full time employees (FTE). That number will increase to 16 when a Town Engineer is hired. Prior to this new hire, Greg Crossman served as both the Town Engineer and the Head of the Carefree Water Company.
The Departments include:
1. Public Safety-
Emergency Services-R/M
Public Safety-MCSO
2. Administrative-
Town Clerk
Financial/Accounting
Risk Management
Town Attorney
3. Community Development-
Planning and Zoning
Building Safety
Code Enforcement
Economic Development
4. Public Works-
Engineer
Supervisor
Field Operations
5. Municipal Court-
Magistrate
Court Administrator
Deputy Clerk
Administration (2 FTEs):
Town Clerk/Treasurer
Role-
1. Oversee daily management of the Town departments
2. Administer Town contracts
3. Submit/manage municipal permits
4. Hold frequent meetings with Council members, citizens, development interests, other regulatory and planning/development agencies
5. Write, review and/or manage all policies and regulations
Workload-
1. Daily local banking, evidence of indebtedness, wire transfers, state budget reports
2. Coordinate employee benefits and Town insurance claims as needed
3. Provide support for the Town Attorney
4. Process, catalog and manage contract and state mandated documents and records of historical value, minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and record retention and destruction on a timely basis
5. Weekly Accounts Payable and processing bi-weekly payroll
6. Monthly accounts reconciliation and Council financial reports
Budget Impact-
1. New accounting software
Communications (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Centralize Town communication
2. Manage all communication vehicles-digital, written, and verbal platforms
3. Improve communications with all community stakeholders
Workload-
1. Create newsletter to residents and businesses
2. Expand social media presence to create more community awareness of events and activities
3. Improve the Town website to provide easier navigation and updated information
4. Manage the Visitors Center and use of the Pavilion
Budget Impact-
1. Marketing materials, website updates, supported print media
Community Development
Planning Director and Zoning Administrator (2 FTEs):
Role-
1. Responsible for updating and implementing the General Plan and other development related documents
2. Recommend updates/revisions to the Zoning Ordinances, Town Code, and Subdivision regulations, often based on state mandates
3. Meet with the Planning & Zoning Commissioners, Council members, citizens, applicants, businesses, property owners, and other interests to discuss development plans, cases, permits, and general development in Carefree
4. Work in concert with the Economic Development Division to support revenue related initiatives involving the physical development of Carefree
5. Review zoning cases (administrative and public meetings/hearings), building permits (for zoning), and Rights-of-Way (ROW) applications including inspections, field observations, and general site meetings
6. Field zoning and development questions as well as review/resolve code enforcement issues with the Chief Building Officer and the Code Enforcement Officer
7. Along with the Planning Clerk, manage the Planning & Zoning Division archives
8. Responsible for updates and creation of Town maps
Workload-
1. Processed 20 zoning applications, including 2 text amendments, which involved 11 public meetings/hearings
2. Reviewed 162 building permits for compliance with the Town's Zoning Ordinances
3. Performed 125 site inspections including pre-grades, finals, ROW pre-constructions, and miscellaneous concerns/complaints
4. Managed the ongoing Crosswalks Study
Budget Impacts-
1. Consulting services for the General Plan update, the Zoning Ordinance update, and the Comprehensive Sign/Circulation/Parking Plan
2. Planning archive storage facility
3. Online Code/Ordinance Publication Fee
Building Safety Division (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Perform inspections and plan reviews
2. Issue building permits
3. Meet with developers, homeowners, contractors, and architects to resolve complex building code issues
4. Provide safeguards for the public and property, related to construction
Workload-
1. Conducted 2,834 inspections
2. Permitted over 55,000 square feet for remodeled work and 83,000 square feet of new buildings
3. Performed 917 site visits and 217 plan reviews
4. Approved 23 new single-family residences, with 5 homes in plan review
5. Continues to inspect Town Center developments (Hampton Inn and The View townhomes)
Budget Impacts-
1. Professional service fees (for Hampton Inn & The View)
2. Replace 10 year old Ford Escape (160,000 miles)
Economic Development (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Diversify Town tax base to pay for existing municipal core services
2. Focus on business retention and attraction
Workload-
1. Assisted businesses to secure stimulus funds and provided alternatives to assist businesses to adapt to Covid restrictions (signage, patio dining, use of the Pavilion)
2. Work with the Economic Development Technical Advisory Panel (EDTAP) to review economic development initiatives
3. Manage the Town Center Revitalization Plan and associated updates
4. Coordinate proposed refinements to the General Plan to help diversify the tax base
5. Assist in the development of marketing materials.
Budget Impacts-
1. Revitalization/Redevelopment Plan
2. Development of the master signage, circulation, and parking analysis
Code Enforcement (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Investigate complaints
2. Court duties/Bailiff
3. Process business licenses and vendor certificates
4. Assist in the front of the office
Workload-
1. Processed over 350 business licenses and 475 vendor certificates
2. Conducted over 200 investigations
Budget Impact-
1. Replace 10 year old Ford Escape (120,000 miles)
Public Works
Town Engineer (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Oversee agency government compliance requirements
2. Manage public infrastructure and assets
3. Coordinate workload for Facilities/ROW Division
Workload-
1. Competed MS4 compliance requirements
2. Completed and managed Dust Control permitting requirements
3. Completed numerous drainage repairs and street repairs
4. Conducted inspections for grading and drainage compliance and reviewed plans for compliance issues
5. Oversaw 50 ROW permits
6. Managed street maintenance projects
Budget Impacts-
1. New truck
2. Consulting services to develop data from the street maintenance program (GIS)
3. New software
Facilities/ROW (4 FTEs):
Role-
1. Maintain and repair public facilities and ROW
2. Install traffic signs
3. Assist at special events
4. Manage and maintain equipment
Workload-
1. Implemented a program to efficiently use the new brush chipper to better manage overgrowth of plant material along the Town's ROW
2. Trimmed all the tree canopies within the Town Center Gardens
3. Painted all the walls and buildings within the Town Center Gardens
4. Built a storage facility for the golf cart, tables, and chairs to create space in the green room
5. Converted the green room into a flexible space for the Visitors Center, meeting space, office space, and event space
6. Installed a new drainage culvert at the cemetery to stop erosion along the driveway
7. Treated the surface of the Pavilion and painted the floor of the splash pad
8. Replaced all the lights and electrical outlet covers within the Town Center Gardens
Budget Impacts-
1. Repair lights in the Town Center
2. Repair damage from pets within the Town Center Gardens
3. Repair the fireplaces
4. Replacement of street signs
Consolidated Court
Court (2 FTE):
Role-
1. Process all civil and criminal citations issued in Carefree and Cave Creek
2. Respond to public inquiries
3. Maintain accurate court records
4. Distribute monies received according to statute
Workload-
1. Increased citations due to a change in MCSO leadership
2. Legislative changes increased inquiries from the public
3. Managed daily operations, often with a single staff member
Budget Impacts-
1. New forms due to legislative changes
2. Increased operational costs
Capital Projects
1. Street Maintenance Project
2. Pedestrian crosswalks improvements
3. Signage improvements
4. Security cameras
5. Pet damage repairs
6. Town Center Revitalization Initiatives
7. Water Consolidation Project
Next Steps
April 27th-Budget overview of revenue and expenses
May 4th-Tentative budget, bottom line adopted
June 1st-Budget adoption
July 1st-New Fiscal Year begins
(Herbert broke the 1-1/2 hour budget meeting down into 3 videos so if anyone wants to watch them it is easier.)
https://vimeo.com/537976656
https://vimeo.com/537981308
https://vimeo.com/537993206
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.
The 2020-2022 Council Work Plan includes:
1. Guiding Principles-
Carefree is a distinctive, premier Upper Sonoran Desert community that seeks to deliver a high quality lifestyle, experience based retail destinations, and access to nearby expansive desert preserves and lakes.
2. Value Statement-
Carefree's leadership is committed to providing a safe community with quality infrastructure and services within its limited financial capacity, and limiting tax liability on its residents.
3. Core Tasks-
Carefree strives to meet these goals through quality community development, economic development and financial stability, communications, marketing, and community engagement.
The process unfolds as follows. In January and February, the department heads begin to evaluate the workload, trends, and policy/regulatory changes which might impact the budget. In February and March, the Town receives annual adjustments from outside entities such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Rural/Metro Fire Department (R/M), Maricopa County, and the State. In March and April, the administration begins to formulate the budget. In April, budget workshops are held to discuss and develop the budget. In May, the preliminary budget and the bottom line expenditures are established. In June, the budget hearing is held. The new FY begins July 1st.
Organizational Structure:
1. The Citizens of Carefree
2. The Mayor and Council
3. The Town Administrator
There are 5 Departments with 15 full time employees (FTE). That number will increase to 16 when a Town Engineer is hired. Prior to this new hire, Greg Crossman served as both the Town Engineer and the Head of the Carefree Water Company.
The Departments include:
1. Public Safety-
Emergency Services-R/M
Public Safety-MCSO
2. Administrative-
Town Clerk
Financial/Accounting
Risk Management
Town Attorney
3. Community Development-
Planning and Zoning
Building Safety
Code Enforcement
Economic Development
4. Public Works-
Engineer
Supervisor
Field Operations
5. Municipal Court-
Magistrate
Court Administrator
Deputy Clerk
Administration (2 FTEs):
Town Clerk/Treasurer
Role-
1. Oversee daily management of the Town departments
2. Administer Town contracts
3. Submit/manage municipal permits
4. Hold frequent meetings with Council members, citizens, development interests, other regulatory and planning/development agencies
5. Write, review and/or manage all policies and regulations
Workload-
1. Daily local banking, evidence of indebtedness, wire transfers, state budget reports
2. Coordinate employee benefits and Town insurance claims as needed
3. Provide support for the Town Attorney
4. Process, catalog and manage contract and state mandated documents and records of historical value, minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and record retention and destruction on a timely basis
5. Weekly Accounts Payable and processing bi-weekly payroll
6. Monthly accounts reconciliation and Council financial reports
Budget Impact-
1. New accounting software
Communications (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Centralize Town communication
2. Manage all communication vehicles-digital, written, and verbal platforms
3. Improve communications with all community stakeholders
Workload-
1. Create newsletter to residents and businesses
2. Expand social media presence to create more community awareness of events and activities
3. Improve the Town website to provide easier navigation and updated information
4. Manage the Visitors Center and use of the Pavilion
Budget Impact-
1. Marketing materials, website updates, supported print media
Community Development
Planning Director and Zoning Administrator (2 FTEs):
Role-
1. Responsible for updating and implementing the General Plan and other development related documents
2. Recommend updates/revisions to the Zoning Ordinances, Town Code, and Subdivision regulations, often based on state mandates
3. Meet with the Planning & Zoning Commissioners, Council members, citizens, applicants, businesses, property owners, and other interests to discuss development plans, cases, permits, and general development in Carefree
4. Work in concert with the Economic Development Division to support revenue related initiatives involving the physical development of Carefree
5. Review zoning cases (administrative and public meetings/hearings), building permits (for zoning), and Rights-of-Way (ROW) applications including inspections, field observations, and general site meetings
6. Field zoning and development questions as well as review/resolve code enforcement issues with the Chief Building Officer and the Code Enforcement Officer
7. Along with the Planning Clerk, manage the Planning & Zoning Division archives
8. Responsible for updates and creation of Town maps
Workload-
1. Processed 20 zoning applications, including 2 text amendments, which involved 11 public meetings/hearings
2. Reviewed 162 building permits for compliance with the Town's Zoning Ordinances
3. Performed 125 site inspections including pre-grades, finals, ROW pre-constructions, and miscellaneous concerns/complaints
4. Managed the ongoing Crosswalks Study
Budget Impacts-
1. Consulting services for the General Plan update, the Zoning Ordinance update, and the Comprehensive Sign/Circulation/Parking Plan
2. Planning archive storage facility
3. Online Code/Ordinance Publication Fee
Building Safety Division (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Perform inspections and plan reviews
2. Issue building permits
3. Meet with developers, homeowners, contractors, and architects to resolve complex building code issues
4. Provide safeguards for the public and property, related to construction
Workload-
1. Conducted 2,834 inspections
2. Permitted over 55,000 square feet for remodeled work and 83,000 square feet of new buildings
3. Performed 917 site visits and 217 plan reviews
4. Approved 23 new single-family residences, with 5 homes in plan review
5. Continues to inspect Town Center developments (Hampton Inn and The View townhomes)
Budget Impacts-
1. Professional service fees (for Hampton Inn & The View)
2. Replace 10 year old Ford Escape (160,000 miles)
Economic Development (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Diversify Town tax base to pay for existing municipal core services
2. Focus on business retention and attraction
Workload-
1. Assisted businesses to secure stimulus funds and provided alternatives to assist businesses to adapt to Covid restrictions (signage, patio dining, use of the Pavilion)
2. Work with the Economic Development Technical Advisory Panel (EDTAP) to review economic development initiatives
3. Manage the Town Center Revitalization Plan and associated updates
4. Coordinate proposed refinements to the General Plan to help diversify the tax base
5. Assist in the development of marketing materials.
Budget Impacts-
1. Revitalization/Redevelopment Plan
2. Development of the master signage, circulation, and parking analysis
Code Enforcement (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Investigate complaints
2. Court duties/Bailiff
3. Process business licenses and vendor certificates
4. Assist in the front of the office
Workload-
1. Processed over 350 business licenses and 475 vendor certificates
2. Conducted over 200 investigations
Budget Impact-
1. Replace 10 year old Ford Escape (120,000 miles)
Public Works
Town Engineer (1 FTE):
Role-
1. Oversee agency government compliance requirements
2. Manage public infrastructure and assets
3. Coordinate workload for Facilities/ROW Division
Workload-
1. Competed MS4 compliance requirements
2. Completed and managed Dust Control permitting requirements
3. Completed numerous drainage repairs and street repairs
4. Conducted inspections for grading and drainage compliance and reviewed plans for compliance issues
5. Oversaw 50 ROW permits
6. Managed street maintenance projects
Budget Impacts-
1. New truck
2. Consulting services to develop data from the street maintenance program (GIS)
3. New software
Facilities/ROW (4 FTEs):
Role-
1. Maintain and repair public facilities and ROW
2. Install traffic signs
3. Assist at special events
4. Manage and maintain equipment
Workload-
1. Implemented a program to efficiently use the new brush chipper to better manage overgrowth of plant material along the Town's ROW
2. Trimmed all the tree canopies within the Town Center Gardens
3. Painted all the walls and buildings within the Town Center Gardens
4. Built a storage facility for the golf cart, tables, and chairs to create space in the green room
5. Converted the green room into a flexible space for the Visitors Center, meeting space, office space, and event space
6. Installed a new drainage culvert at the cemetery to stop erosion along the driveway
7. Treated the surface of the Pavilion and painted the floor of the splash pad
8. Replaced all the lights and electrical outlet covers within the Town Center Gardens
Budget Impacts-
1. Repair lights in the Town Center
2. Repair damage from pets within the Town Center Gardens
3. Repair the fireplaces
4. Replacement of street signs
Consolidated Court
Court (2 FTE):
Role-
1. Process all civil and criminal citations issued in Carefree and Cave Creek
2. Respond to public inquiries
3. Maintain accurate court records
4. Distribute monies received according to statute
Workload-
1. Increased citations due to a change in MCSO leadership
2. Legislative changes increased inquiries from the public
3. Managed daily operations, often with a single staff member
Budget Impacts-
1. New forms due to legislative changes
2. Increased operational costs
Capital Projects
1. Street Maintenance Project
2. Pedestrian crosswalks improvements
3. Signage improvements
4. Security cameras
5. Pet damage repairs
6. Town Center Revitalization Initiatives
7. Water Consolidation Project
Next Steps
April 27th-Budget overview of revenue and expenses
May 4th-Tentative budget, bottom line adopted
June 1st-Budget adoption
July 1st-New Fiscal Year begins
(Herbert broke the 1-1/2 hour budget meeting down into 3 videos so if anyone wants to watch them it is easier.)
https://vimeo.com/537976656
https://vimeo.com/537981308
https://vimeo.com/537993206
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.