Fountain Hills’ Town Council will hold a public hearing and a special meeting Tuesday, June 4, to consider its budget plan for the 2024/2025 fiscal year that begins July 1.
The council is …
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Fountain Hills’ Town Council will hold a public hearing and a special meeting Tuesday, June 4, to consider its budget plan for the 2024/2025 fiscal year that begins July 1.
The council is considering the $45.2 million package that was approved as the tentative budget in May. It includes a $25.8 million General Fund, $9.1 million capital improvement plan and $7.1 million in the streets fund, which funds Street Department operations as well as improvement and maintenance projects.
The capital improvement plan includes 19 budgeted projects including six that remain tentative, or “yellow light” proposals.
As part of its regular session for the meeting the council will consider a request to waive attorney-client privilege as it relates to a proposed draft of regulations for wireless communications infrastructure in Fountain Hills.
The Planning and Zoning Commission as a group and several residents have asked for the release of a draft ordinance prepared by attorney Andrew Campanelli as requested by council last summer.
After discussing the proposal in closed executive session for legal advice, the council terminated its agreement with Campanelli and directed staff to use portions of the information to draft an ordinance. This has been an ongoing process since early this year. Town Attorney Aaron Arnson considers the draft private by attorney client privilege and has declined to release the information.
The P&Z Commission, however, feels stifled in its discussions without being able to see the Campanelli recommendations.
In May, at the behest of Councilwoman Hannah Toth and other council members it was agreed to have the council consider waiving the attorney client privilege for the documents. That is to be discussed in closed session prior to the regular meeting on Tuesday.
Another item related to the telecommunication discussion will be consideration of whether to combine zoning regulations and Town Code provisions in the discussion of the broadband regulations.
The council also is considering an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Regional Public Transportation Authority (Valley Metro) related to transit services for Fountain Hills. The Valley Metro IGA is partially financed by State Lottery Funds, and the council will consider staff recommendations to provide broader, more efficient service to Fountain Hills residents. The current 515 bus route to a transit hub in Mesa at the 202 Freeway and Gilbert Road receives little use and its discontinuation is under consideration. A current long-term road closure of Gilbert Road between SR 87 and Thomas Road somewhat complicates the routing of that service. The closure is for bridge construction and is expected to reopen sometime this summer.
Other options include a RideChoice program or a combination of RideChoice with Dial-a-Ride.
The council also will be considering a staff request for the purchase of a skid steer loader to enhance staff’s ability to address stormwater clean-up. With attachments the new equipment is able to replace some existing items the town has for that purpose. The cost of the loader through a cooperative purchase agreement with the state from Empire Caterpillar is approximately $100,000.
Funding is available from an Environmental Fund the town is discontinuing.
Mayor Ginny Dickey will have a proclamation to designate Dec. 5 as John Cutillo Day in Fountain Hills, every year going forward. Cutillo, who recently passed away, was the town’s first mayor and led the citizens’ charge for the successful incorporation of the Town of Fountain Hills. The official establishment of the town was Dec. 5, 1989, and the proclamation will honor that date with Cutillo’s name.
The Town Council will meet Tuesday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall. Prior to the session the council will be in executive session and will also address budgets for the Cottonwoods improvement district as well as the Eagle Mountain Community Facilities District, which is being terminated.
The meeting is open to the public. The complete agenda materials are available for public review on the town website, fountainhillsaz.gov/agendas.
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