[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6649580,"mediaKeyId","2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325","parentId",2520350,"title","Queen Creek projects slower revenue growth for next three years; council approves $18.7M FY2024‑25 budget adjustments","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6276000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325&start=6276&end=6276","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325/thumbnail_6276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6649580/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-projects-slower-revenue-growth-for-next-three-years-council-approves-187M-FY202425-budget-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649580-dfe126e2af84697de1a342bd86c5a01c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990328&Signature=JNF-h3j4bmoy~~9iHKmGJBKx~S-9~BvQz9h1RO6hExfc6Bi-knz-w1jA0BLtuUrtGm9SOvUkAV-IQ4LqyGEpGleIxUeOOEtKMG4-HBZCZNOJTVbWafhmxkKEIKZfydQ-0-8JFu6ykq8w1plIH8qSR92R0ViG-HN6CAET1s7DkxMbWgwawNb9P2rnR7Ul0fjVBOffpdsF9iG9sUynyDnpHAly-ZINjbX6K4VagsOzvz9LNrAPz0Cd3cyO8DZxOSywU9ytC2PZVNJUYfxfr~~9EtGzLe3yxTHt3U~9BgKLdyaVnE~E~jfIrPmXOUcmAWIxnh0HTUEk6TtmA4S2O4OGvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Creek","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","Deputy Town Manager and CFO Scott McCarty presented a five‑year operating revenue forecast and asked council to approve FY2024‑25 budget adjustments that reset current‑year revenue assumptions as staff prepare the FY2025‑26 budget.

McCarty framed the forecast around two influences that will reduce near‑term revenue growth: (1) constrained single‑family residential permit activity driven by a requirement tied to assured water supply for new lots, and (2) state tax changes following the 2023 move to a flat income tax that reduced the town’s state‑shared income tax receipts. He said the combined legislative impacts and permit reductions amount to an annual revenue reduction on the order of $4.5 million from prior peak levels.

Why it matters: The town has used strong construction sales tax receipts in recent years to fund recurring services and infrastructure. McCarty told council that without the prior level of one‑time construction revenues and with reduced state shared receipts, the town should expect lower new recurring revenues in the next three years. Staff presented a reoccurring revenue growth figure of about $11.5 million for the coming budget year (down from prior years when $15 million or more of new revenue was available for new services).

Key numbers and assumptions presented:
• The town’s fund balance was reported at approximately $153 million at the June close; staff described reserves as strong heading into the budget process.
• Inventory of buildable single‑family lots was about 1,800 at the end of the fiscal year; staff estimated roughly 1,800 additional lots become available over the next three years under the modeling assumptions, producing an available pipeline of about 3,600 lots but projected permit issuance of roughly 2,000 lots over the next three years under the assured‑water constraint.
• The flat income‑tax change has reduced state‑shared income tax receipts by roughly $3.3 million from the prior peak year.

Sales tax remains the town’s largest recurring revenue source; McCarty said sales‑tax growth, population growth and new businesses continue to support the long‑term outlook, but the immediate effect of the supply constraint and tax changes means staff will be “diligent about the new expenses we add to the base” in the coming budget process. \"We do expect lower revenue increases for the next three years as we talked about,\" McCarty told council.

Council action: Council approved the budget adjustments requested by staff (the record shows a unanimous vote). Councilmembers discussed data requests from McCarty’s presentation, including more detail on large accounts and HOA‑level water and utility usage for parallel conversations about conservation and rate impacts.

Ending: Staff will use the revised revenue baseline to prepare next year’s operating budget and return with more detailed expenditure requests when the manager’s proposed budget is released; council asked for periodic updates as assumptions change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Queen Creek - Town Council Regular Session (CAPTIONS) - Mar 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff told the council that new state tax rules and an assured‑water‑supply restriction on development will reduce expected revenue growth over the next three years. Council approved mid‑year budget adjustments needed to finalize the operating forecast.","taxTitle","Queen Creek, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2212,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6649586,"Queen Creek council approves notice to set May public hearing on proposed 15% water rate increase",1309,5060000,6369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325&start=5060&end=6369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325/thumbnail_5060000.jpg","/articles/6649586/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-council-approves-notice-to-set-May-public-hearing-on-proposed-15-water-rate-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649586-1ca65bac107118e9899b303e561c77bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990328&Signature=oHLh1pZKdNn9FjuR-HhGwGh3mLRS7ZtucfL4~17R~wRQGum-kF8D61ihj4LS8Qe1ci-mr5nVNDoZsTKvRCnXINHeZ7eYloc-IjpsnjMUcmEoXuBOL4CYUA9QqQbQHbcNNBXbwdsuXQGwwxHqH7MdGhXVfgX3XN2RpS-1W38G3f7My1U-iSJMGrkFGG~craFD9Y-2PKaR07X-ubsChUx7cuxQAY8vgBvT0L~uAOzOUFqwi4yFyA4WVWtUJ1JzpL3nFy6BQ1qXei7uehHM4p3liLEbg5qm7pTZETlwaJ26a2C~FI-fFAkwBGh9pEA25zHRRWfZT3TmlrZvoeaErehuZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Queen Creek Town Council voted unanimously to approve a notice of intent to set a public hearing on a proposed 15% increase to monthly water rates. The notice starts a 60‑day public notice period ahead of a May 7 hearing; if the council later adopts rates, state law requires a 30‑day waiting period and staff said the first bills reflecting a final increase would be mailed the week of July 29.

Deputy Town Manager and Chief Financial Officer Scott McCarty described the request as an immediate step to stabilize the utilities fund and to meet debt coverage requirements tied to an $85 million loan tied to water supply purchases and infrastructure. \"This item tonight is to start the formal process of, having a 15% rate increase to our monthly water bill,\" McCarty said during his presentation.

Who will be affected: Staff said the bulk of the impact would fall on single‑family residential customers. Of the $4.3 million in expected additional revenue from the proposed increase, roughly $3.0 million would come from single‑family homes. The presentation estimated a typical customer now pays about $387 annually for water and estimated most single‑family customers would see increases in the range of $3–$6 per month assuming consumption patterns do not change.

Public outreach and responses: Constance Helen Wilson, the town’s communications and marketing manager, briefed council on outreach: the rate landing page had about 1,200 views in the first two weeks and a social video had nearly 12,000 views; the town also sent targeted emails to impacted customers (79% open rate for that mailing) and had received a small number of direct responses to the online feedback form. Council members asked staff for additional breakouts by account type and for HOA‑level totals.

Council action: A motion to approve the notice of intent was made and seconded and passed unanimously; council members present recorded six yes votes. Staff will publish the notice, continue outreach and return to council for the May 7 public hearing and final rate decision.

What staff said next: McCarty said the rate action is intended to preserve financial stability while staff complete a more comprehensive rate study and related policy discussions. The town also highlighted that a separate property tax‑based groundwater replenishment charge (the CAGRD/CAGRID component described in the presentation) has been reduced in recent years, which staff said offsets some of the net effect for certain customers depending on when a home was built.

Ending: Council members said they want additional data for large customers (HOAs, school districts and other high‑use accounts) before the May hearing, and staff agreed to provide account‑level breakout information during the 60‑day notice period.","Council voted unanimously to publish a notice of intent to set a public hearing on a proposed 15% increase to monthly water rates. Staff said the increase would stabilize the water fund, support an upcoming loan restructuring and preserve debt coverage while a longer rate study proceeds.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6649589,"Queen Creek reports HOA water savings, seeks WIFA funding for turf conversions",1607,2489000,4096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325&start=2489&end=4096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520350-8dd0eff5ab8965e72dd780fbbb3e0325/thumbnail_2489000.jpg","/articles/6649589/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-reports-HOA-water-savings-seeks-WIFA-funding-for-turf-conversions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649589-c799122be8fb4587018bd82b67b739a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990328&Signature=TmyPUYWd2aQoV~~HDwGHX0M~f9bOO5V1JXfpHhVnxj28idkKQuR3pBgUK78AxaCc5pi3gBMUHqynNmKjew-NjbfG1Fbzw3DetNQkXvX8otR8912qPATenw4mN7TY8p8nLT5Lht47JpBdsrAGhLiwAeX3WCo8qUXfjBdp1ENxLEm9gm4cUcl~H162mHXiph44o5YOHQjlrpbHz4TmHWsWgad~xZR5E0OqXz2UzQZKTVf85xNn9NKB3B0YqGQ6GD6F88tDWdbQdZSp0J0S5JkWzdikU8ppaVnOYqg~hUmW828ZGsKOJLhAL91H9iA3lHRGzqvWp~RYntsVjWkU4r4eLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dina Burns, Queen Creek’s water conservation manager, told the town council that the conservation team exceeded its last-year target and is now pushing outreach and incentive programs aimed at homeowners associations, commercial landscapes and schools.

The update focused on 2024 work and near-term plans. Burns said HOAs that engaged with conservation staff reduced water use on average while those that did not engage increased use, and she presented district-level outreach results and pilot partnerships intended to scale savings. \"We exceeded that (100 acre‑foot) goal by 45 acre‑feet,\" Burns said, referring to the program target set last year.

Why it matters: Much of Queen Creek’s avoidable water demand is landscape irrigation on HOA common areas. The conservation team told council that targeted technical assistance, quick repairs and small capital investments can reduce purchased water needs or free water for other uses without reducing essential green space.

Key details and examples: Burns and utilities director Mark Skocific said the town logged dozens of site visits and meetings with landscapers and HOA boards. Staff reported that HOAs which met with the team saved about 2% on overall water use, while HOAs that did not meet increased more than 8% — a net difference the presentation summarized as roughly a 10.5% improvement in the engaged group. Staff identified recurring problems including looped irrigation systems that make leak isolation difficult, stuck fountain float valves and oversized turf in nonfunctional landscape areas.

Staff described several concrete measures underway:
• A pilot with SRP (Salt River Project) to evaluate about four HOA sites and provide up to $20,000 per HOA in matching funding for repairs or upgrades if the HOAs opt in.
• Eight short DIY leak‑detection videos and a set of “efficient watering” one‑page guides for residents and landscapers, posted at queencreekaz.gov/reduce.
• Smartscape landscape training delivered with the University of Arizona Extension to 16 town employees and about 20 outside landscape professionals.
• A planned fourth‑grade water education program with the Queen Creek School District and a proposed water festival using high‑school volunteers as docents.

WIFA grant proposal: Burns outlined a tentative application to the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) for conservation incentives if the town receives a tentative award. The proposed application would request $500,000 for nonresidential turf conversion, $100,000 for residential turf conversion and $68,000 for water‑efficient technologies. Staff said the grant has a 25% local match that could be met through participant contributions and in‑kind town staff services, and that staff will return to council to accept any award before funds are accepted.

Water savings and technical assumptions: Burns summarized the town’s 2024 accounting and said the program exceeded the previous target of 100 acre‑feet by 45 acre‑feet. She also told council that the conservation plan and the Phoenix Active Management Fifth Management Plan use a threshold of 30% turf cover to differentiate higher‑use landscapes; staff estimated converting higher‑turf landscapes can save roughly 35–50 gallons per square foot of turf removed, and that an HOA with extensive turf can save on the order of 15 acre‑feet per year by converting nonfunctional grass areas.

Council questions and next steps: Council members pressed staff for more granular data for HOA bills, asked whether the town could publish consumption by HOA for resident awareness, and requested a follow‑up report that breaks out the largest users. Burns said staff are assembling detailed metrics for council and that a public HOA web page and a Water Fluence portal for board members and property managers will be available soon. Staff also noted that the town’s customer portal enhancements are expected in coming months and that those will enable seasonal messaging and automated rain‑delay notices.

Ending: Burns said staff will bring the WIFA grant application and any award acceptance back to council for approval and will return next year with a more complete accounting of acre‑feet saved by the program.

","Town staff told the council the water conservation program exceeded its 2024 target and outlined outreach, pilot projects and a pending WIFA grant request to pay for turf conversions and water-efficiency upgrades in HOAs and nonresidential sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Queen Creek projects slower revenue growth for next three years; council approves $18.7M FY2024‑25 budget adjustments

Queen Creek council approves notice to set May public hearing on proposed 15% water rate increase

Queen Creek reports HOA water savings, seeks WIFA funding for turf conversions