Phoenix To Host Virtual Community Budget Hearings

Phoenix AZ

29 March, 2021

2:35 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Phoenix: March 29, 2021 Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher presented his 2021-22 Trial Budget to the Mayor and City Council for community review on March 16, 2021. The community will have the opportunity to provide input on the budget during 14 virtual community budget hearings, including two in Spanish, April 2 – 20, 2021. Input may also be provided through the city's FundPHX interactive tool, available at phoenix.gov/budget. This year, the General Fund budget is balanced, with a projected budget surplus of $153 million, made up of $98 million in one-time funds and $55 million in ongoing funding. This surplus was possible, during a pandemic, due to sound leadership by our Mayor and Council, as well as the city's strategic use of data to direct our efforts. In the Trial Budget, surplus funding will be allocated to address important needs raised by the Council and the community across six areas: Public Safety Reform and Responsiveness: $15,000,000 in funding to add 130 positions to expand a successful civilian program in the Phoenix Fire Department, the Community Advocacy Program (CAP), to provide comprehensive services for mental and behavioral health calls for service.COVID Response and Resiliency: Continue to provide Wi-Fi access and continue the Emergency Food Assistance Program to achieve the goals of the Council-approved Phoenix Food Action Plan.Climate Change and Heat Readiness: Create a new Office of Heat Response and Mitigation to coordinate efforts citywide to become the first "heat ready" city in the nation, and meet the goals of the Tree & Shade Master Plan, including doubling the shade canopy by 2030.###strongFunding to accomplish goals of the Council-adopted Affordable Housing Strategy to increase and improve the number of affordable housing units in Phoenix, and support people experiencing homelessness, and impacted neighborhoods.Building Community and Responding to Growth: Add positions to support the growing needs at the new Cesar Chavez Community Center, and to properly care for new amenities at Margaret T. Hance Park and Deem Hills Recreation Area, and support Arts & Culture programs and Historic Preservation.Administrative Accountability: Establish the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to ensure Phoenix is a place to live and work that is free from discrimination and represents all residents.The virtual community budget hearing schedule is available at phoenix.gov/budget/hearings. Residents may also share their thoughts on the city's budget by emailing [email protected], calling (602) 262-4800, or on social media by using #PhoenixBudget. Additionally, all community meetings will run on PHXTV/Channel 11 and the city's YouTube channel. Residents can view details of the proposed budget at phoenix.gov/budget. After the community's review, the city manager will present a revised budget to the City Council on May 4. The Council is expected to make a final decision on May 18. The approved plan will take effect July 1. This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author's own.