Florence Chamber of Commerce announces upcoming events including Memories on Main Car Show

During the Town Council Meeting held on February 18, 2025, in Florence, Arizona, key discussions centered around community events, budgetary concerns, and procedural changes regarding property taxes and development processes.

The meeting began with a presentation from Paul Felker, who highlighted several upcoming events organized by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Notable among these is the eighth annual Memories on Main Car and Bike Show scheduled for February 24, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors and feature over 300 car entries alongside a concurrent Farmers Market. Felker also announced an annual members meeting on February 27, where he will address the chamber's goals and engage with the public. Additionally, he mentioned a historical talk on the vanishing trading posts of Arizona and a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the film "Murphy's Romance," which was filmed in Florence.

Public participation included comments from resident Courtney Ramirez, who expressed concerns about rising property taxes and the need for the council to scrutinize the budget more closely. She urged the council to explore cost-cutting measures rather than continually increasing taxes. Ramirez also requested an update on the timeline for the extension of Adamsville Road, which is crucial for improving access to Centennial Park.

The council addressed the procedural aspect of potentially increasing property tax rates, clarifying that no decision was made during the meeting. Instead, they authorized staff to post a notice of intention to increase property tax rates on the town's website, a necessary step in the budget process.

Another significant topic was the first reading of an ordinance aimed at amending the town code regarding the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and development procedures. The proposed changes would empower the TAC to review all applications presented to the Community Development Department and streamline the preliminary plat approval process to a single step, enhancing efficiency in development procedures.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the town's commitment to community engagement through events while addressing pressing financial concerns and procedural improvements. The council's next steps will involve further discussions on the budget and the implementation of the proposed ordinance changes, reflecting their ongoing efforts to balance community needs with fiscal responsibility.