[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6629063,"mediaKeyId","2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1","parentId",2711596,"title","El Mirage council votes to live stream council, work sessions, Parks & Recreation and planning meetings","audioSeconds",2146,"startMs",2206675,"endMs",4353205,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1&start=2206&end=4353","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1/thumbnail_2206675.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629063/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-council-votes-to-live-stream-council-work-sessions-Parks-Recreation-and-planning-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629063-8e90f47a241775577ebfca0f5d0ec8d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442828&Signature=o-FxKuuwarEgD~5-E82yt8cfGGNEf3rrbX4K42r3voycJ1Kr8FkJ02AmW--b9BC8D-KuzWCHrVWK7nYyGcouR6DmlErTA-ADIJE1qz8uDbjVesX15i1LdK7wfMSMFc4ScM-Hg3TcE3quLuFeeG2XZSfV6YtdFJI71smzj0f8iGrul5jiNURPHod8Tvo5OlWctEqS0by1LJjv8cuwv6I0CpKcsjgvG~RvOD38Q8m8u2f~4BGIpZo55xfmZlIHS7G8TIxaT0QSisAb4xm3a0la8J0e283KcUUoN64tKQykqSRZLk8IjQw-0JBHV~1M5SCoAlIrIYY~DBpZdetTtjdjog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Mirage, AZ","date","2025-03-04T18:01:00Z","article","The El Mirage Common Council on March 4 approved a motion to livestream city council meetings, council work sessions, Parks & Recreation Committee meetings and Planning & Zoning meetings for public viewing.

Councilmembers Eldridge and Gentry introduced the request, arguing that streaming increases transparency for residents who cannot attend in person. Councilmember Eldridge said streaming is a matter of “complete transparency” and that work sessions available as transcripts or audio alone do not capture body language or presentations. Councilmember Gentry noted the council handbook already states “all public meetings shall be recorded or photographed by means of audio, video, or photographic equipment” and urged the council to follow that policy.

Council discussion focused on technical and policy details: which meetings should be streamed, how to handle off-site meetings (for example, meetings held in the police department Blue Room or at the senior center), and whether the permanently mounted Granicus camera system in the council chambers can be used elsewhere. Tom (IT) explained the current chamber cameras and Granicus system are permanently mounted and not portable; Microsoft Teams has been used during the pandemic and records video, but Teams recordings are not posted in the same way as the Granicus streams unless staff publish them. The city manager and staff recommended returning with a plan that outlines equipment, costs, staffing and procedures for off-site meetings; Tom said he could bring scenarios and estimates.

Several council members argued for delaying action until staff produced a detailed plan and budget implications; others pushed to follow the handbook and expand streaming immediately. The council first voted on a motion to table the item; that tabling motion failed. Vice Mayor Parsons then moved to livestream the listed meetings (adding Planning and Zoning); Councilmember Norton seconded. On the final voice vote the motion passed with one dissent — Councilmember Dorsey voted no — and the council directed staff to return with implementation details and cost estimates for the budget session in April.

City staff said they will prepare scenarios for (1) in-chamber live streaming using the Granicus/permanent camera system; (2) off-site recording approaches that use portable equipment with post-meeting uploads to the city website and social media; and (3) staffing and estimated costs so the council can consider budget adjustments.

The council’s vote expands the city’s public-access practice beyond the meetings currently streamed and asks staff to formalize an implementation plan for equipment, staffing and posting procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","El Mirage, AZ - City Council Meeting - 03/04/2025 - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended discussion about technology, cost and off-site meetings, the El Mirage council voted to begin live streaming council meetings, council work sessions, Parks & Recreation Committee meetings and Planning & Zoning meetings; the motion passed with a 6–1 vote (Councilmember Dorsey opposed).","taxTitle","El Mirage, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",63519,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629067,"El Mirage council adopts notice of intent to change fees and proposes alternate property-tax option",737,1464555,2201815,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1&start=1464&end=2201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1/thumbnail_1464555.jpg","/articles/6629067/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-council-adopts-notice-of-intent-to-change-fees-and-proposes-alternate-property-tax-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629067-17864ee6b9c491b3945ed8b64529ab37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442828&Signature=BYO7IqOkLXSNna~vdSEhBLfbHICeD~DE-8ngTt8UfwRK0F~3YxlRKJFOOJuix5j6GrV1xqTQsc6yxc~ahcfgl5eCJTou-1HtrZXW7NEkS96yKUCoGaPpZGRDWmql2ccGgNgvirv8Zen1pzi9grl65WosPg~Ymv3c3Qys29~q8gDoL~iGlPJJOGWiYcjX2ezIELH1F1JnhCQiAYLkNPWmDfvvodIfjB~DRtsyqvfE2pwSWcAa5ry1o15~mcBATD0azgwisXuoWkYTiys-wvWvh4WgA3O300ByNiSfpQGdqIic0jxAwjgk4yk2GP19JRaxAW1uRqeoRDjpQnSy3q2Wyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Mirage Common Council on March 4 adopted a notice of intent to add, delete or change city fees and considered two property-tax options for 2025: a recommended maximum rate (including the 2% constitutional levy growth) and an alternate rate that captures only new-construction growth.

Staff explained that the notice of intent starts a 60-day public-notice period before any fee changes can take effect. The proposed schedule consolidates several fire-related fees — for example, combining fire alarm and sprinkler fees into single categories — and updates fee descriptions to make them easier for businesses to understand. Staff said most changes were descriptive; a few numeric updates were included.

On property tax options, staff described the recommended approach (the maximum allowed under state law, including the 2% levy-limit growth) and an alternate that limits the levy change to new construction growth so that “growth pays for growth.” The staff presentation showed the primary property-tax rate under the recommended option would be 1.693 and the alternate 1.6596, with a difference of $65,833 in levy revenue between the two options. Council asked clarifying questions about how the alternate affects individual taxpayers and whether residents would see a tax increase; staff explained that choosing the alternate means many taxpayers would see no levy-driven increase beyond valuation changes, whereas the recommended option captures the maximum allowed growth.

Vice Mayor Parsons moved to adopt the notice of intent including the alternate property-tax option; Councilmember Winston seconded. Councilmember Gentry recorded a nay; the motion passed 6–1. Staff will publish the notice and return with any required hearings or public-notice materials.","The council adopted a notice of intent to change certain city fees and approved an alternate property-tax option that captures new construction growth only; the item passed 6–1 with Councilmember Gentry dissenting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629072,"El Mirage council sets public hearing for proposed water, wastewater rate increases",172,1283980,1456580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1&start=1283&end=1456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1/thumbnail_1283980.jpg","/articles/6629072/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-council-sets-public-hearing-for-proposed-water-wastewater-rate-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629072-452beb1824aacfbe6e4a09994e97aea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442828&Signature=RjYdp30F4Weudg8ghl6NMYsNcjsVWVWcQ601jZnxMJu03LyvtarsUNsvxmKJyewV6w3A114S4PO9~v-LJMJE050~DGee3z3tOBGPd4jOPOqO5~p5l~Mt4x~xYjIYryHDWNq~De60lyaXvA2BJn389CCQYyHxznKbFE1hqxzkF1PfTAfN3nrvwUJkUJp5DZuVxKuUGfZlSYx2k0Vk~5gp2-tb~BejyBM1BKtsPBdWvijuf4oKi0zBO1SNnDgjC9HfARAGocCoeJZVidu3kZk1FpHBV0KjyBbuEtxE5koDIQlTTINzxc5zCf9GiVM5SGdkFASM5i-fcwoINQ5DSiQT6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Mirage Common Council on March 4 adopted a notice of intent to increase certain water and wastewater rates and components and set a public hearing for May 6, 2025, pursuant to ARS section 9-511.01.

Staff described the proposed utility changes and the statutory requirement that the council adopt a notice of intent at least 60 days before a public hearing. City staff reported sanitation service would remain at $19.56 per billing period. Water rates shown in the schedule incorporate a 3% increase in fiscal year 2026, with an additional 3% increase shown for FY2027; the water recharge fee remains in the schedule pending agreement for credits. The staff presentation also noted an added OTS waterline upsizing fee. For wastewater, staff said residential service would move to a flat rate while commercial wastewater rates would remain unchanged; the scheduled 3% increase for wastewater would apply in FY2027 rather than FY2026.

During council discussion there were no questions that led to changes in the proposed notice. Vice Mayor Parsons moved to adopt the notice and set the May 6, 2025 hearing date; Councilmember Winston seconded. The motion passed with one recorded dissent: Councilmember Gentry voted no.

By adopting the notice of intent, the council set the public process in motion; city staff will publish the statutorily required notice and present the rate proposal at the May 6 hearing so the council can hear public comment before taking final action.","The council adopted a notice of intent to increase water and wastewater rate components, setting a public hearing for May 6, 2025, under ARS section 9-511.01; the measure passed 6–1 with Councilmember Gentry voting no.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629076,"El Mirage council adopts ordinance changing how appointed seats and vice mayor are filled",753,522595,1276375,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1&start=522&end=1276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711596-d4040800f8886729c34fd486e89f6bb1/thumbnail_522595.jpg","/articles/6629076/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-council-adopts-ordinance-changing-how-appointed-seats-and-vice-mayor-are-filled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629076-83d35e19d19e502f8aa4cf2571afbeb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442828&Signature=a0Z6udQID5Qp2~N3dbzJB14uhNkWwEsZ531T3VjfxAlBbXpwbtvhwBdMQML0b1lEGhBv6wg7jxmsE1tFmbfOHHuo8~DkX8U7qMNyGVjX~BGZ9Hjb1kkHF1fIXhj~T509s1GiQNpXhwWIX7OdrGdmA7Mt5dgKqrFk-7cWq8PpKjanufGc~D3s-PZXbfvGMtTN9zAtKs1mYpqoEnwZ7ZubQKhWr~P9i3bmCWLIdh-pE53UdBfx6BmuVG60M0NkZCswT3aqVeTA~op2h5u7PXVw4388Q5Rh~SVfIrpWncgZe4Og6nsPER8GFhjMsaXj4Xmmwwq7RPM2MLTMOdAk4pEawA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Mirage Common Council on March 4 adopted Ordinance 025-03-01, amending sections 32.003 and 32.041 of the El Mirage Code to clarify how seats filled by appointment are handled after an election and when the vice mayor is chosen.

Councilmember Eldridge, who presented the change, said the revisions responded to issues arising in the last election and that “being elected overrules being appointed.” Eldridge told colleagues the ordinance would ensure “the one with the highest votes shall be seated immediately” following the canvas so that an appointed incumbent does not remain in the seat after losing an election.

Councilmember Norton pushed for a technical change to the vice-mayor provision, saying the appointment should occur in December when the newly elected members are seated rather than in January. Norton said the current wording could leave the council without a vice mayor for a period in December if the outgoing vice mayor no longer holds office. The city attorney confirmed the change is targeted at vacancies filled by appointment.

Councilmember Gentry and Vice Mayor Parsons also supported the ordinance and the December timing. After brief clarifying exchanges about primary vs. general election scenarios and how the language would apply if a primary leads to a general election, Vice Mayor Parsons moved to adopt the ordinance with the stipulation that the vice mayor be chosen at the December meeting after the new council is seated; Councilmember Norton seconded the motion.

The motion passed on a voice vote and the council president announced approval of regular agenda item 6.1 as presented.

The ordinance text as presented amends the code to (1) specify that a candidate declared elected to a seat previously held by appointment shall be seated immediately following the canvas and (2) require the new council — after the newly elected members are sworn in at the first December meeting — to vote for vice mayor. The city attorney said the language targets the situation where an officeholder was originally placed in office by appointment under Arizona law.

Council members requested that the city attorney and staff verify precise wording to avoid ambiguity about primary elections that proceed to a general election and to ensure the ordinance reflects the council’s intent.

The council did not attach additional conditions to implementation; staff will incorporate the adopted text into the municipal code and apply it at the next relevant election and seating process.","The El Mirage Common Council on March 4 adopted Ordinance 025-03-01 to clarify that a candidate who wins an election for a seat previously filled by appointment will be seated immediately after the canvass, and to require the newly seated council to select a vice mayor at the December meeting after the new council is sworn in.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

El Mirage council votes to live stream council, work sessions, Parks & Recreation and planning meetings

El Mirage council adopts notice of intent to change fees and proposes alternate property-tax option

El Mirage council sets public hearing for proposed water, wastewater rate increases

El Mirage council adopts ordinance changing how appointed seats and vice mayor are filled