[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6537687,"mediaKeyId","3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8","parentId",3461172,"title","Council approves charter amendment allowing council to contract with appointed city manager","audioSeconds",330,"startMs",7386000,"endMs",7716000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8&start=7386&end=7716","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8/thumbnail_7386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537687/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-approves-charter-amendment-allowing-council-to-contract-with-appointed-city-manager","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537687-1c787d30c226abb5a1515c27509ed4c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437455&Signature=LaQi8kN-SnYlRH-k5r~plFEhc9Gfmt9wiNHHAQxWiOWYFEoRGkQA2QUZlbulXPLyQn5LKZEYjFJ~p-yuThJ05dNiU4DJ9qEjd-5~IHqpbUPnsOb-hA0wIclwhoWHSzhNtTz8EcJ7HjkjIwkS470i0tezhjL7fNeu2peLOdiN8LcmOLnfLeYpdPxBRvhwhC2xrDo5EynDKNCf90Wa2B-QkeC3NG5zwmt1ztB63VGqAAtM20gy-8oXJjk4~mJm59Bc-tzJP1FJ9WwSeDXKDchAeoOOAoTVfcFRc3w3NEzKvXWx5PLQY4eEYiKfAToC37LCYF28JCjTu7ZB4itu0C4NNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chandler","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Chandler City Council on May 22 voted unanimously to approve Resolution 5914, a charter amendment to update Article 3 language on appointment and removal of the city manager.

City Attorney Ton told the council the current charter language (dating to 1965) treats the city manager as an appointee with an “indefinite” term and a two-month severance; the office’s practice for many years has been to negotiate employment contracts for appointed officers, including severance and other terms. Ton said the amendment would clarify that the council may contract with an appointed city manager on terms the council and manager mutually agree upon, bringing the charter into alignment with modern practice.

Council discussion supported the amendment as corrective. Supporters said clarifying the charter reduces legal uncertainty and assists the city’s ability to recruit and retain senior management through negotiated contracts. Several residents spoke in favor at the podium; one resident, Ruth Jones, warned the council to exercise caution in any practice that could create the appearance of conflicts if council both sets compensation terms and evaluates performance.

Councilmember Orlando moved approval; a second was recorded and the council approved the resolution unanimously. Staff will proceed with required steps to place the charter amendment on the ballot for voter consideration in accordance with election rules, if the council chooses to submit it to voters as part of the charter-change process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Chandler Council Meeting 5/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Chandler City Council on May 22 approved Resolution 5914 to amend the city charter to permit the council to contract with an appointed city manager on mutually agreed terms, aligning the charter with current employment practice.","taxTitle","Chandler, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2211,"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},6537691,"Council tables charter amendment on consecutive terms after extended public comment",7755,3338000,11093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8&start=3338&end=11093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8/thumbnail_3338000.jpg","/articles/6537691/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-tables-charter-amendment-on-consecutive-terms-after-extended-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537691-ba851b6854a81a0c511a4632acba8529/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437455&Signature=c34w2vRI02L2lV8CnS6fYg~k1LnzreILvtCbhvGD6sGXMUgegTa25TtMnQgH8OiYb1XCvigOShsJ2z3A0zObrBgXBhWczbF6bx39teZskHtFmnWaDO5N0qJUIkDHOeIVSuOc5pOXrSOuMet3y9JN0oQwOLmUNrGIn4PYGtWJ-q-hj1NEl1WyZVhkOmvYMdzlURpkPQokQhDT7MDHq4-taSH5U~ufaxUn8UgpMveybzK2i1GqJhjQTqvwvU3TAk~QYnz0sawUROlDIVlrpPBpzMe3YSXNo-LO4IcSkrMoWjNqT7T0B8PI79rGi2Ueb9tde56mgV~Y0atvjTteZCgHhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chandler City Council on May 22 heard extended staff presentation, legal analysis and public comment on Resolution 5913, a proposed charter amendment intended to clarify whether an individual may serve consecutive terms as a councilmember and then as mayor without a break in service.

City Attorney Ton and outside elections counsel briefed the council that the charter language is ambiguous and that different attorneys have reached differing interpretations. Staff presented proposed language to explicitly limit combined service as councilmember and mayor to 16 consecutive years and to remove or clarify outdated or conflicting passages. Ton said the proposed language would align the charter with historical practice and would require a person who served 16 consecutive years in a combination of the offices to wait four years before seeking either office again.

The item drew substantial public comment: more than a dozen residents spoke from both sides of the question, some urging the council to send the clarification to voters this November so it would appear on the same ballot as the bond proposition, while others urged formation of a broader charter-review committee and a slower process before placing amendments on the ballot. Public commenters cited precedent, concerns about rushed timing and possible litigation, and the cost of a standalone special election. Several speakers asked the council to refer the language to a charter committee for a comprehensive review.

After deliberation the council voted to table Resolution 5913 and directed staff to return with final language and to schedule a special meeting or bring the matter back no later than the June 9 deadline for ballot language. The motion to table carried unanimously.","After extended public comment and council discussion, the Chandler City Council on May 22 tabled Resolution 5913 — a proposed charter amendment to clarify eligibility for consecutive terms as councilmember and mayor — to a special meeting or the June 9 meeting for final language and further review.",{"_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},6537695,"Council directs staff to draft performance-evaluation policy for direct hires; records likely public",133,2357000,2490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8&start=2357&end=2490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8/thumbnail_2357000.jpg","/articles/6537695/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-directs-staff-to-draft-performance-evaluation-policy-for-direct-hires-records-likely-public","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537695-544241b5d5f3a5e5416552e60d1c7125/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437455&Signature=WdoiEBLgWORwdTrB~sX0lvsx8Jxn4Z8RUQhO79-alOHI-pMXCFXfBk4bhILTsGEsR-1Qc0Wbdb6IKYIsTz~7lz-i-JFoLlCJyKnCn1J89M6iN8uZxgmihyEOhcRhobFur2KELM6ugmq~LFIYK~~Q0ubfrVmxlMgH53MFcA1MC3SdmQjW5zMBG0snDmEis7onzuFq0qR0kQYlWbLM8zSnvctOMoSdnySNGT4F296lGhEhtVRw3u5ULyXytR3pN64nSIe-ltWQYwDKk8lUfaGO~Jgfs94v3MWlyXDqUPwKObO2vNczsZNdr0i5o8uRsHl-xNxBd~7c5PSiqn5~wlrqfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chandler City Council voted unanimously on May 22 to direct staff to develop a written performance-evaluation policy for council-appointed direct hires and bring it back for council consideration.

Councilmember Harris said the goal is accountability and transparency in merit-based performance raises; the policy would provide an evaluation tool so direct hires know how they will be assessed. Acting city attorney Ton told council that records of evaluations are public records, although any portions reflecting privileged attorney-client legal advice would need to be redacted.

Councilmembers discussed timing and process: several members favored an annual review aligned with contract terms and with input from colleagues. Councilmember Poston called performance feedback “a gift” and urged a constructive, goal-oriented approach. Vice Mayor Ellis and others said they want staff to return with a proposal that preserves the ability to protect privileged legal material.

Councilmember Orlando moved to give staff direction to prepare the evaluation tool; the motion carried unanimously. Staff will draft evaluation criteria and bring proposed policy and redaction procedures back to council for adoption.","The council voted unanimously to direct staff to develop a written evaluation process and criteria for council-appointed direct hires. City legal clarified that evaluation records would be public records, subject to redaction for privileged attorney-client material.",{"_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},6537699,"Council adopts FY2025–26 tentative budget and 10-year CIP; final tax-levy hearings set",622,1720000,2342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8&start=1720&end=2342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","/articles/6537699/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-adopts-FY202526-tentative-budget-and-10-year-CIP-final-tax-levy-hearings-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537699-a31b9b366b3ebe9b31a08a059e034119/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437455&Signature=dOy97odpMu~g~~kFIHhQkUV9MgMjtN1sHOZdxT1T5pw1ftqbQMizwshZggP6~pjt8KDaHdHAtLf173Nm67eC8K~I-FPnaPEtcfKGApu1ZD2LBYtgnznsnUoGXu834380ZacOAWQrqIIp78DH16pcs~dOcwc1~PZAGhzhtQLUUSqvwFjSwgnFJT1UBJLCdEyCWcy-I7uDH-CUhaTaPdFZTz4eHttCb9FV1v~8Scw-rPboWbfMN-aiyegths0QfKcU~xZ6RB4qEpdNsoD3g7MQZGJuXP1qY2ZbOFwlZJZPiMgrtV8ILZY4GzlYQmheA2v89hTSGqfeMqkb6wjk6c7Y5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chandler City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 5905 on May 22, approving the city’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and the 10-year capital improvement program (CIP) framework.

Matt Dunbar, the city’s finance director, summarized the budget: the total citywide budget is approximately $1.629 billion with a general fund of about $615 million. Dunbar said the city used a strategic framework to guide spending, incorporated resident feedback and workshops into decision-making and continued to target long-term financial sustainability. He said the city will maintain a 1.5% transaction privilege (sales) tax rate, and that the primary property tax rate is projected to decline for the tenth consecutive year. Dunbar also noted the budget includes funding for public safety pension obligations and capital projects; the 10-year CIP totals roughly $2.6 billion with about $845.7 million proposed for next-year appropriation.

Dunbar outlined key next steps: a public hearing and final adoption of the budget on June 12 and final adoption of tax levies on June 26.

Councilmember Harris moved approval of Resolution 5905; Councilmember Poston seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The tentative adoption starts the statutorily required process under Arizona Revised Statutes; staff will continue outreach and bring final budget and levy resolutions to council for adoption at the scheduled hearings.","The Chandler City Council adopted the tentative FY2025–26 budget and a 10-year capital improvement program framework, and set public hearing dates for final adoption and tax levies; council approved Resolution 5905 unanimously.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537704,"Council OKs downtown EMSD assessment, extends contract with Downtown Chandler Community Partnership",742,945000,1687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8&start=945&end=1687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461172-e9d139bfc0e9e7e9ce7a6a6733fda5b8/thumbnail_945000.jpg","/articles/6537704/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-OKs-downtown-EMSD-assessment-extends-contract-with-Downtown-Chandler-Community-Partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537704-ab62c22d3fe84b7f18280aca6b2a7b73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437455&Signature=OBzQRLDu~JvBA-HFBEOM~gFD0ArOQejA09LFco3xgMHt1Bz~4jhZQbQtq1dum68D1xr4kl5LczafvYMvpUs~5ZU2e-NnAEBmbeq1izSCWcEay80NVSCcNGA~RYdpbp-4tl4c7CB9rU6Wig5KWozLUfu-9GmpRa27mXxNXi4nvdFVPufW6OqtBp2KSQI1qCe-ufkOzbC1QWzdxIo554UWGPuAHDTuPNCG67AiR97ieV7~X5LKs5fEXalz2NEbIf~DEXJvGC-QkfxTGFM7Bg5WplR00H~3TWbeEuYvpONQp0qcMB4DHLcwIxxUoeL2jwrfqfJ3809QDCdaH1uLUVxs8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chandler City Council approved Resolution 5899 on May 22 to set the fiscal year 2025–26 assessment for the Downtown Chandler Enhanced Municipal Services District and to extend the annual contract with the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership (DCCP) to administer those funds.

Lauren Cole, development manager for the city, told the council the EMSD was created in 2005 and covers 61.4 acres and more than 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space. Cole said the district funds services “up and beyond typical public services” such as safety, beautification, marketing and professional management, and that the assessment uses the same formula adopted across the district’s 20-year history. She said the DCCP requested a 5% increase allowed under the EMSD bylaws and that no property-owner objections had been filed after the required public notice period.

Rebecca, speaking for the nonprofit DCCP, outlined the group’s work in downtown Chandler and said it provides event management, marketing, placemaking and a “clean team” in support of businesses. Rebecca said DCCP-managed events drew more than 43,000 attendees in the past year and that the organization worked with the city on safety and beautification projects such as alley lighting and additional turf and sprinklers along Boston Street.

Councilmember Orlando moved approval of Resolution 5899; Vice Mayor Ellis seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously to adopt the assessment and approve the contract.

The action formalizes the DCCP’s role in delivering enhanced services in downtown Chandler and authorizes the assessment rate for property owners in the EMSD for the coming fiscal year. City staff said the assessment process followed statutory notice requirements and that property owners had the opportunity to file objections before the hearing.","The Chandler City Council on May 22 approved Resolution 5899 to set the FY2025–26 assessment for the Downtown Chandler Enhanced Municipal Services District and to continue the contract with the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership to administer the district’s services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves charter amendment allowing council to contract with appointed city manager

Council tables charter amendment on consecutive terms after extended public comment

Council directs staff to draft performance-evaluation policy for direct hires; records likely public

Council adopts FY2025–26 tentative budget and 10-year CIP; final tax-levy hearings set

Council OKs downtown EMSD assessment, extends contract with Downtown Chandler Community Partnership