In her first State of the Town address Mayor Ginny Dickey projected a positive message balanced with a realistic look at challenges facing residents as a community.

She urged the capacity crowd in the Community Center ballroom to look at each experience and challenge as something new and deserving effort and energy.

“That’s how your mayor and council feel – that we owe you our best, every time,” Dickey said. “Whether you have been in Fountain Hills for 35 years or longer…or yet to experience your first Arizona summer, you deserve a beautiful, safe and well-managed community, with fun activities and joyful experiences that make life-long memories.”

Dickey said, “we have choices to make, together,” and added that she asked new council members as they prepared to come on board to talk about their priorities as council members.

Building citizen trust was high on the list of objectives.

“Public involvement and transparency on the part of the council and staff will help bolster confidence as we look to 2020 and beyond with an updated, voter-approved General Plan and a desire to maintain a high quality of life,” Dickey said.

Public safety is also a key priority for council members, Dickey said. She noted there is a lot that goes with that, including robust law enforcement partnerships with education and groups such as the Coalition.

Communication and discussion regarding issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse – especially opioids – recovery and suicide can help achieve goals.

“Council is aware that the unusual number of serious incidents has raised concern,” Dickey said. “While some are certainly aberrations, others, such as texting and driving, pedestrian and intersection accidents and speeding, indicate a closer look.”

Dickey said the council has also indicated a desire to tailor services based on local input.

Council members have also expressed a desire to work in areas of their own expertise and interests. Members used a December meeting to volunteer for activities and committees that provide input for council consideration and background.

“I feel lucky as a mayor and resident to have this council with such a variety of experiences and viewpoints,” Dickey said. “It’s about balance and figuring things out as a team – what the majority of the community wants, and will support, and how that fits with our most basic needs.

“Opinions will vary about how much or how little government should do for a community. The framework was put in place for the formation of municipalities, with access to safety and infrastructure, education, businesses and amenities that reflect the ‘pursuit of happiness’ for ideally the most citizens.”

Dickey offered a “realistic” assessment for the near future.

“At the council retreat on Feb. 7, you will see a serious, honest assessment of our town, with discussion and recommendations in the coming months while working toward a budget that tackles capital and operating needs, including staffing,” Dickey said. “There will be a streets action plan directing us to take our fiduciary responsibility and protect these public assets. By us, I mean all of us.”

She said the town must talk about realistic revenue options.

“We do have positive news – it appears Arizona’s economy is in good shape, which should make our shared revenue distribution healthier,” Dickey said.

She cautioned that comes with a caveat, as the legislature uses its own judgement related to expenditure.

Dickey also said decisions made on wants and needs are always forefront in council fiscal decisions.

She said staffing is a key concern.

“Relying on the good hearts and dedication of staff to continue to perform more than one full-time job, or on professional retirees literally volunteering their services, is not sound business practice,” she said.

Optimism comes from confidence and trust, Dickey said. She invites citizens to join the community as it works toward economic growth and development; serving residents and businesses by keeping our neighborhoods safe and well maintained; protecting public assets, amazing views and outdoor life; education and housing, activities and amenities to attract new residents and visitors; and re-think conventional strategies, look to community resources – the people – and present a welcoming, thriving home town.

“I firmly believe that a majority of citizens still agree with the stated goals articulated over and over through the Strategic Plan, Vision FH and those many years of surveys and Town Halls – they value our natural environment and views, schools, safe neighborhoods, outdoor life and small-town charm,” Dickey said. “This does not contradict supporting growth. In fact, it complements it. It is business friendly to supply customers – residents and visitors who want to be here. In fact, with 23 percent of the population interested in living in a small town, only 13 percent have the privilege of waking up in a place like Fountain Hills every day.”