While it is time to start thinking about its five-year update, the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission is asking Town Council to allow it to focus on short-term objectives to help implement the town’s Economic Development Plan.

At a joint meeting of SPAC and the council May 21, Commission Chairman Alan Magazine made the recommendation that the commission focus its efforts toward economic development.

“Economic vitality is a top priority, SPAC wants to drill down on economic development (objectives),” Magazine said. “Or should we update the plan?”

Council members were generally receptive to the recommendation.

Councilman Cecil Yates suggested an additional work session with SPAC and the council to work on an implementation plan.

Town Manager Ken Buchanan welcomed the SPAC proposal.

“We need to talk more about the implementation side of the (Strategic Plan) related to economic development,” Buchanan said. “I need some help.”

Implementation of the Economic Development Plan approved by the council in 2013 falls to Buchanan with the help of part-time administrator Scott Cooper.

Councilwoman Ginny Dickey expressed concern that by focusing on economic development SPAC might be taking its eye off the ball, the big picture that goes with strategic planning.

Dickey said she would like SPAC to pay attention to all of the strategic objectives on the table.

“Education is an example of an area being neglected,” Dickey said. “This is a very specific economic driver.

“There are many things that can be done with little or no cost, but we don’t get to step two for fear of too much money, time or (lack of) staff.”

Dickey also noted a lack of support from SPAC.

“SPAC also has an advocacy role,” she said. “Sometimes the decisions the council has to make are difficult. Some support would be helpful.”

Mayor Linda Kavanagh noted that the town’s role in education-related objectives may be limited. She cited particularly the use of the old Four Peaks School facility.

“We don’t own Four Peaks,” Kavanagh said. “The School Board needs to let us know what their plans are. Hopefully the School District will come and tell us what help they need.”

A key concern when it comes to implementing the Economic Development Plan is the town’s demographic profile. The schools are threatened by declining enrollment, and families are not returning after the recession.

Vice Mayor Cassie Hansen even noted a comment from a visioning workshop held by SPAC in 2009.

In response to the comment, “When I think about the future of Fountain Hills, I wish we would have…because…”

One response in the apparent hand of a child stated “more people because the stores need more business.”

“That really resonates with me,” Hansen said. “It is one of the hardest things to do.”

“A 55-plus population is not sustainable for Fountain Hills,” Yates said. “We need those 45 and younger to sustain the community. These numbers don’t work.”

In the 2000 U.S. Census roughly 20 percent of the population in Fountain Hills was under the age of 20. The number for those 65 and older was approximately the same. The remaining 60 percent fell between 20 and 65.

In 2010 those under the age of 18 had fallen to about 17 percent of the town’s population. Those 65 and older had increased to nearly 28 percent of the total population.

Magazine said SPAC could take a good hard look at the changing demographics without a full blown update on the issues.

“Economic vitality is a top two priority for the town,” he said. “I think we can identify some low hanging fruit and recommend specific steps to get there.”

SPAC members walked away from the session with the objective to digest the discussion and come back to the council with a work plan for the coming year.