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May 2024
Mesa's Budget
Greetings,
As we stride into May, I’d like to share updates on our city's financial landscape.
Recent Mesa City Council Study Sessions have been focused on budget overview discussions. The City Manager's Proposed Budget for FY 24/25 (starting July 2024) has been the key topic of our conversations. We’ve been discussing a noteworthy trend: forecasted revenues will be less. This imbalance can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including recent state legislation (elimination of residential rental tax, implementation of state income flat tax), the impact of inflation on the cost of commodities, services, and contracts, and the escalating costs associated with essential services. In response to these factors, our city management started working with various departments, aiming to determine priorities and explore different avenues for fiscal prudence.
To address the challenge of operational efficiencies, departments were tasked with reviewing their base budgets. A targeted goal of a 2% reduction from each department's budget was laid out, underscoring Mesa’s commitment to fiscal discipline. However, it remains within the authority of the Council to explore further cuts should they deem it necessary.
The City of Mesa's fiscal year runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The City is required to adopt a balanced budget as well as a secondary property tax levy each year. An Annual budget is determined to be balanced if the anticipated resources are sufficient to cover the anticipated/ budgeted expenditures. Resources include both new revenues as well as reserve balances.
Last year, City Council approved a record $2.56 billion budget.
Looking ahead to the FY24/25 Annual Budget and beyond, our goal is to continue the City's commitment to providing quality services to residents in a fiscally responsible manner. Also, focusing on public safety, quality service, and investment in neighborhoods, investment in City employees and the leveraging of technology.
Learn more about the 24/25 budget overview.
Learn more about May’s budget meetings:
May 2 -City Manager's Proposed Budget Wrap Up Presentation
May 20 -Tentative Adoption of the Annual Budget.
I look forward to continuing to work to improve the lives of Mesa residents. Please join me for a casual conversation at my upcoming Coffee with Your Councilmember event. Details below.
Warm Regards,
Councilmember Alicia Goforth
 Join Goforth for Coffee
New Tower to Improve Public Safety Communications
Officials from Mesa, Apache Junction and other Public Safety Departments, April 22, 2024
Public safety and other representatives from the member agencies of the TOPAZ Regional Wireless Cooperative (TRWC) gathered on April 23 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the first new TRWC public safety radio tower in more than 20 years. The new tower, known as H60 (for Highway 60), will improve the coverage area for public safety radios, especially for northeast Mesa, Apache Junction and Queen Creek.
The City of Mesa, City of Apache Junction, Towns of Gilbert, Queen Creek and Superstition Fire and Medical District established the TRWC in 2008 to operate a regional radio system that is modern in its management, has equity in membership and provides support and future growth. The TRWC has expanded to include Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Rio Verde Fire, Fountain Hills Fire and American Medical Response (AMR).
All of the partner agencies provide funding for TRWC, with the City of Mesa being the majority stakeholder, providing 65% of it. Staff from Mesa's Engineering and Communications Departments were instrumental in the radio towers construction.
The new tower is part of a multi-year improvement expansion plan for the public safety network. The next tower is scheduled to go online later this year in the Tonto National Forest. There are plans to build 13 towers to meet population growth and address public safety needs.
Northeast Public Safety Facility's Progress
Image part of a social media post by Mesa Fire on April 24, 2024
The image above shows the construction progress of Station 222. The Northeast Public Safety Facility is an impressive complex that combines a fire station and a police substation. It is located on an eight-acre site on the east side of Power Road and spreads across approximately 50,000 square feet. The facility includes shared spaces such as a public lobby, a community/training room, a job/task conditioning room, and conference rooms.
For fire operations, the facility features four pull-through apparatus bays for Fire and Medical vehicles, which can house up to two (2) fire crews, one (1) Battalion Chief/Battalion Safety Officer, and one (1) ambulance crew. The facility can also accommodate up to 130 police personnel for police operations. City of Mesa voters approved the facility in the 2018 Public Safety Bond.
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
Hometown Heroes
As we approach Memorial Day this month, we honor our fallen heroes. Throughout the month, the streets of downtown Mesa will bear witness to this solemn tribute, as banners unfurl to commemorate those who served our nation with unwavering devotion. This poignant display is made possible through the Mesa Hometown Heroes program, a collaborative effort led by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Mesa and the Downtown Mesa Association. These banners serve as beacons of remembrance.
Veteran Services
In addition to honoring our fallen heroes, Mesa remains committed to the support of veterans through a multitude of services and programs. One notable initiative, Mesa Vets Connect, is a link between veterans and the array of services available, ensuring that every individual who has served receives the support they need.
Information about resources for veterans, follow the link below.
Mental Health Matters
Mental Health Month has been observed in May in the U.S. since 1949. It was started by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health) to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
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