[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6253199,"mediaKeyId","3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6","parentId",3182854,"title","Council hears downtown parking plan, arts funding and event cost increases; neighbors press for outreach","audioSeconds",355,"startMs",4485000,"endMs",4840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6&start=4485&end=4840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6/thumbnail_4485000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253199/Council-hears-downtown-parking-plan-arts-funding-and-event-cost-increases-neighbors-press-for-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253199-8a7dd864f6abc3ff7d5437653b576754/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403701&Signature=Xjdxho3fn-TcnB9jy-zKGkrxd8vjcIjoYdxoWwr~~8Z3JvP7c8mYhsZ8afvwbLScisv87ExY-w0ixuCkiBnnwLv1dO0sKbikVDeD4oqPQmZPVZaE4Bb6G8NNd0nzlWDRUHR0UDcehQw~UpmObHkmi9qe9l~rFDTiI11zFE5obmc4tmO-fiFJ6VqcOoEpGu7eMc7NmRwUboDMPdCiY2p0f5Fo4w0I5-ioZkp4y6X8CtgtensMAL4qf3vtzVwEoGVcUdZvEd~lCXvvxih-guFyDr673Br5Vet4hUnYwqi9Eo2cICISsSmZlQLzgUe3H9Oo5l6SgcKVwaT8j3q1j4OQjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chandler, AZ","date","2025-05-02T23:28:51.627Z","article","Kim Moyers, director of Cultural Development, presented the department’s FY 2025–26 request and downtown projects, including program increases and capital work in the city core.

Moyers highlighted the Chandler Center for the Arts’ anniversary activity, increased museum attendance and Vision Gallery exhibitions. The department’s operating budget request includes ongoing funding to enhance the city’s July 4 pyrotechnics show (an ongoing $20,000 request to extend the display) and an $18,700 ongoing adjustment to cover a 5% increase the Enhanced Municipal Services District requested for downtown upkeep. Moyers said the Center for the Arts equipment funding includes a 50% contribution from Chandler Unified School District for stage gear.

The department identified capital priorities in the downtown area: continued facility repairs for the Center for the Arts, phase‑1 work on Doctor AJ Chandler Park, Tumbleweed Ranch master‑plan items and a proposal to convert two city‑owned vacant lots on California Street into paved parking with lighting and perimeter walls. Moyers said the California Street lots would respond to increased parking demand tied to downtown development and new businesses.

Several council members and residents raised concerns. Council members asked whether parking demand is primarily daytime event parking or overnight parking and asked whether city lots are being used to capacity; Moyers said downtown parking increases have been mostly short‑term event parking rather than long‑term overnight storage but acknowledged varied reports. Neighbors and council members requested a formal outreach plan before moving to construct parking lots; Moyers said outreach had included neighborhood contacts but not a full public meeting and agreed to follow up with additional engagement and a parking‑utilization report.

Ending

Council did not vote on the parking conversion. Moyers said the department will prepare additional outreach materials and utilization data and return to council later in the process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget Briefing to Council","oneSentenceSummary","Cultural Development sought funding for expanded downtown events and proposed converting two vacant city lots into paved parking, but residents and council members asked for more outreach and data before the city moves ahead.","taxTitle","taxId",0,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6253205,"Chandler police ask for technology, hiring and wellness funding as department seeks to fill 43 vacancies",600,5580000,6180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6&start=5580&end=6180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6/thumbnail_5580000.jpg","/articles/6253205/Chandler-police-ask-for-technology-hiring-and-wellness-funding-as-department-seeks-to-fill-43-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253205-3157e0f9422caa4a023cd72ced2c4222/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403701&Signature=dMtvsY5ISq6x9kC2RIYZEjrXYwRNkE4YCZJyCOiYCKoadk-MMotNtgGod01vq0-045~teBDUq6KivfM2COU~7IyNeXSLvNsddtD3hHd9Dx2UL8F38lGoyEr7RiOWbzboFmJtRtVdiP8ns6xK-KvOwquE4Fauj-eGDJRc8SgIuCB8DGPPlR0ADfzGMTUoSnhXNyxs8atzxXML4VQbqu8pIU0DuwMhl7ATu3gVbut88Qky4PtfPnU5uCzZnt5YfMVoOSUliceSwlVnGrQ~R2vw~ANQ3YGjNATALKRoNOpao~g0E5vwRQ3GgxTIIpLc39xfdLBAi0b2DXDcrt28wJrSgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Chapman and three assistant chiefs presented the Chandler Police Department’s proposed operating requests and capital needs during the budget briefing, asking council to fund technology upgrades, staffing conversions and wellness programs that officials say support recruitment, retention and public safety outcomes.

Chapman said the department’s budget is roughly $98.0 million, with personnel representing most of that total. He described low crime statistics and noted regular positive citizen feedback (the department reported a 4.74 average on a five‑star citizen rating system). He told council the department had seen historic crime lows in 2023 and a further decline in 2024.

Assistant Chief Melissa Deanda described information‑technology needs: a suggested business system support analyst to create redundancy for network and server maintenance (the department currently relies on a single staffer), replacement for a six‑year‑old intradepartmental system, and investments in the real‑time operations center. Deanda said the center—which went live in July 2024—has assisted patrol on thousands of calls and uses tools such as video analytics, expanded license‑plate reading and a CommandCentral Aware system that can receive community camera footage.

The department proposed converting two temporary civilian background investigators to full‑time roles to speed hiring and process sensitive personnel records. Deanda said the police department currently lists 13 sworn vacancies and 30 civilian vacancies; Chapman added the agency also maintains 18 over‑hire slots to ensure staffing levels during academy cycles and retirements.

Assistant Chief Chris Cottrell outlined investigative technology investments for financial crimes, cryptocurrency analysis, social‑media monitoring and an additional detective vehicle for street‑level investigations. The department also asked to expand its crime prevention and school engagement unit with an additional civilian crime‑prevention officer; staff said the pilot school‑engagement program—focused on sixth graders and addressing bullying, social media and substance abuse—has worked with 23 Chandler Unified School District schools since its April 2024 launch.

Chief Chapman and staff requested $100,000 to support mental‑health and wellness initiatives for officers, including continued embedded clinician services, yoga/meditation and other peer support and recovery initiatives. They said these are not add‑on perks but part of retention, readiness and prevention programs, and they provided examples of reduced sick‑leave use and improved morale.

Capital and equipment requests include additional vehicles tied to investigative units, body‑worn camera replacement phased over three years, updates to a forensics facility and property and evidence facility alignment at the police complex.

Ending

Council asked a range of clarifying questions about redundancy between police IT and city IT, the role of converted background investigators relative to human resources, and the timeline for filling dispatcher vacancies. No council votes occurred; council members praised the department’s investments and asked staff to return with details as budget hearings continue.","The Chandler Police Department outlined budget requests including two permanent civilian background investigators, a business system support analyst, expanded real‑time operations capability, mental‑health and wellness funding and continued investment in community school engagement.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6253211,"Chandler staff outline utility rate options; council hears proposals for up to 15% water and wastewater increases",424,2724000,3148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6&start=2724&end=3148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6/thumbnail_2724000.jpg","/articles/6253211/Chandler-staff-outline-utility-rate-options-council-hears-proposals-for-up-to-15-water-and-wastewater-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253211-6d55e2d60de4e4b5d3721cb319fac8bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403701&Signature=SIuUSTch62WKToIQ7FGy4Ht-4-P2vM50SlJz34W9dIivI~QoQNQxmfXd0reCA6LT0cHL6VaLXJwmI9qZgAIUuhn03i85Z~yeJGwQ5EDnd2Tw20mMJ7SzMMwFHBsgZnj0wAvSKTU3jn5bzOLUOOm-gjR8qrZ774P1OOSLv30AOrCrqtGORu8-otOcIBIsvv45wLYZ4SsD7fyoJAFT3eKsT12pvKfihB9SkECAVMwIb2Cb3tubAtydzL~1aJv6k9AlvyLSxDr0d7RHFv~EK0x7LQOET9-K5-7UCEipF9q8u~24QzoQkOVkC8HkM0SzfP~05ufCwgMXpvlqbr-TSOb87A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City budget staff and utility leaders told the Chandler City Council they need revenue increases in the utility enterprise funds to pay for aging infrastructure, higher purchase/treatment costs and planned capital work.

Matt Dunbar and utility staff presented four headline items: a revenue requirement to maintain fiscal sustainability, a cost‑of‑service allocation for customer classes, timing for public outreach and an effective date in spring 2026. As an initial plan staff proposed a revenue requirement of roughly 15% for water, 15% for wastewater, 18% for reclaimed water and 6% for solid waste for the next rate cycle, with an alternate that slightly reduces water and wastewater percentages while preserving the solid‑waste increase. Staff said these are initial revenue requirements and the final rates will depend on a cost‑of‑service allocation and council direction.

Utility staff emphasized the driver: aging water and wastewater infrastructure. They said the water system has about 87 miles of mains rated as high or moderate risk that will require replacement over a multidecade program and noted a planned 30‑year replacement program for those mains. At the wastewater side staff said about 10 miles of high‑risk sewer mains and roughly 7,000 manholes are slated for rehabilitation over long‑term planning, and major transmission projects (a 48‑inch water transmission line and a new 66‑inch wastewater trunk across the Loop 202) are included in the capital plan.

Staff explained the city last completed a full cost‑of‑service study in FY2019–20. Based on the old study, Chandler has been moving toward full cost‑of‑service alignment over several rate adjustments; staff said this next cycle may complete that alignment. City consultants and staff described three approaches for allocating the needed revenue:

- Full cost‑of‑service: use the 2019–20 cost‑of‑service model to allocate the revenue requirement by customer class; staff said that approach risks misalignments because the underlying data are now five years old.

- Blended approach: allocate the revenue requirement that was anticipated in the 2019–20 plan per cost of service, but apply the remainder of the revenue requirement equally across customer classes to reflect inflation and recent changes.

- Across‑the‑board: apply the same percentage increase to all customer classes (for example, 15% water / 15% wastewater / 6% solid waste), then update the cost‑of‑service study in the following year to reallocate differences.

Staff said the city expects to discuss methodology with council this summer, start public outreach in September and seek an effective date for the new rates in March 2026. Public‑outreach materials will explain how a typical residential bill changes under each option; staff presented example monthly bill increases ranging roughly from $3 to $9 depending on the option and customer type. The city also reported scenarios where nonresidential customers could face larger increases under strict cost‑of‑service allocation (one example showed a steep wastewater increase for an average nonresidential customer under full cost‑of‑service).\",

Ending

Council members asked staff to develop formal rate‑setting alternatives, continue outreach and bring back a finalized recommendation after community engagement and a refreshed cost‑of‑service analysis. No rate ordinance was adopted at the briefing.","City staff presented proposed enterprise fund rate changes to cover rising costs and aging infrastructure; officials proposed options—full cost‑of‑service alignment, a blended approach, or equal percentage increases—and recommended public outreach beginning in September with rates effective March 2026.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6253216,"Chandler proposes $1.63 billion budget, council directs smaller primary property tax rate",705,375000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6&start=375&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6/thumbnail_375000.jpg","/articles/6253216/Chandler-proposes-163-billion-budget-council-directs-smaller-primary-property-tax-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253216-7bf5175f259c946b577ad3e28fbaf3a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403701&Signature=ivIj13ZZci~4AFKq3g41Sr9JMyM1mJjL5e9TsQIs3i0DJWCTpzWSTf1Q4HG7rkbm3g4NPKByXui84mMbKjWBCKysVFh~T0GGTjFg2UrffpIGtEU~oVxYOFPrfzL3-YCAx120t4VYEvthAGRzi-X79KgZLbskGSZI0yDbQvKajevLdG~50HP~NpOFUU~h79Uwvbh2~saIk-1nQaVXNMrhFOXE79lHCaxnkDo0AO8IFBlNOjw8hlkNOUnbw~uIgorvQet~P1z9NFpjIytwTXqRmbc1BTyibeMcSTQsrsUrVZJqnn7Cf0Ev8EWBzHcGT7S0m6TJOsJ0elk5YNUhEV~q8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Dawn presented the City of Chandler’s fiscal 2025–26 proposed budget and 10‑year capital improvement program to the City Council in a daylong budget briefing, framing the $1.629 billion proposal as structurally balanced and tied to the council’s strategic framework.

The proposed budget maintains core services while relying on a mix of ongoing and one‑time revenues, the city said. Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Don Lang told council members the budget continues Chandler’s conservative financial approach and noted plans to use one‑time dollars for capital and targeted projects.

The proposal forecasts a modest overall decrease in the total budget from the prior year, while isolating the general fund shows a 6.6% increase driven by personnel and capital investments. Lang said ongoing operating costs grew by roughly 4.1% while capital spending fell about 3.5% from the prior year. The budget includes a $10 million budget stabilization reserve and a 15% general‑fund contingency reserve, and officials described the package as built to weather uncertainty in revenues.

Council members asked for clarifications about a $25 million placeholder in the budget to address the city’s Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) obligations. Don Lang said the number is an estimate included now because the PSPRS actuarial model is run on a one‑year lag and the final payment amount will come after November’s actuarial tables. “We’re not sure that we’re going to need the full $25,000,000. That is an estimate,” Lang said. He told council the estimate errs on the conservative side and could be adjusted once the formal actuarial calculations are received.

Council members weighed property‑tax options. Staff said the median homeowner impact at the proposed primary and secondary tax settings is roughly $1.10 a month; staff offered an option to remove newly generated primary‑tax revenue by reducing the primary rate by 0.0008. After discussion, council asked staff to bring back a reduced primary‑property‑tax rate in the next ordinance, and the city manager said staff would move forward with that adjustment.

The presentation also reiterated major capital priorities: voter‑authorized bond projects, street and utility programs, technology upgrades, public‑safety investments and water/wastewater replacement. City officials said bonds will fund roughly 73% of the capital program and called attention to aging infrastructure needs across utilities and transportation.

Council members praised staff for the multi‑month budget process and directed staff to bring the proposed tax‑rate adjustment and any necessary implementing ordinances back to council in the coming weeks.

Ending

Council did not adopt the budget at the briefing; the presentation was the formal release of the proposed FY 2025–26 budget and the start of the public and council review period. Staff will return to council with the revised primary tax rate and final ordinance language before final adoption.","City officials released a $1.629 billion FY 2025–26 proposed budget and 10‑year capital improvement program, emphasizing reserves, continued pension payoff and voter‑backed bond projects; council asked staff to lower the primary property‑tax rate and include that change in the coming ordinance.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6253194,"Council briefed on parks, library and recreation capital plans; mobile library, Mesquite Groves and Foley Park among priorities",7060,5880000,12940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6&start=5880&end=12940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182854-cfc6b7aeab0c42b3358329c8ac9672f6/thumbnail_5880000.jpg","/articles/6253194/Council-briefed-on-parks-library-and-recreation-capital-plans-mobile-library-Mesquite-Groves-and-Foley-Park-among-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253194-18a01a183509c877a6cfef21632f6d6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403701&Signature=AfOCjcg0xcDvRkaEx-f5NKm-G~8Uc7bspOcMVmElrtWa8ZLrGepkbK97gc3QCFYUdTREOp-iHlJcyITGh2igofIs1hjJLkIKY-CqzcVklmX5y4skp6qaR-b64QHDRDzkaUc6erYyhUUOleytXg9TXdMKjNHXCvPZSBRNFQPP6Cp~gc9R93rxmx-lM9smaj-9W6bZJj1Ghb8Tx-yVj~121OaDG-1pFm76yWS5KaWx-JVyg9-rPAWHGyuVVloawkDof~45OU-f4aoboUH1MzYtAn3Y9GbKCuU4BOuApJ5NVUtbJGAJhbGiwboK9HbGZoFRRGJ18RzK4TLc9-XRcWMtug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Services leaders told council the department’s FY 2025–26 requests focus on maintaining existing park assets while completing several planned projects and adding new services such as a mobile library vehicle.

John Sefton, community services director, and Ryan Rees, parks planning, outlined the department’s capital program: routine funding for existing neighborhood and community park improvements, ongoing athletic field maintenance, and large capital projects including Mesquite Groves (a new park near Basha High School), Tumbleweed Ranch master‑plan improvements and Foley Park reimagination. Sefton said the department is programming phased work; several projects will require additional public input and some will depend on voter bond authorization.

The presentation also included a request to add a mobile library vehicle for outreach; library staff said the vehicle will support events, senior‑center visits and school and neighborhood engagements. Recreation staff described upgrades such as irrigation and electrical maintenance budgets and funding to support park mowing, herbicide contracts and contract maintenance increases.

Council members raised operational questions and asked staff to watch drainage and parking at Foley Park. Council and staff discussed that some parks see standing water after rain and that drainage solutions and trash/receptacle placement could be addressed during the master‑planning process. Members asked staff to include community stakeholders when defining Mesquite Groves phases and to coordinate with bonding timelines.

Ending

The council did not adopt capital projects at the briefing; staff said funds requested are part of the proposed CIP and that most projects will require later design and public outreach before construction.","Parks and Recreation presented a multi‑year capital program that includes a mobile library vehicle, continued park improvements, Mesquite Groves park phases and planning for Foley Park; council asked staff to monitor drainage and neighborhood impacts and to tie investments to master‑plan findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears downtown parking plan, arts funding and event cost increases; neighbors press for outreach

Chandler police ask for technology, hiring and wellness funding as department seeks to fill 43 vacancies

Chandler staff outline utility rate options; council hears proposals for up to 15% water and wastewater increases

Chandler proposes $1.63 billion budget, council directs smaller primary property tax rate

Council briefed on parks, library and recreation capital plans; mobile library, Mesquite Groves and Foley Park among priorities