| City of Phoenix Adds Virtual Budget Hearing | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/budget-and-research/2715 | Budget & Research | | 4/4/2023 11:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2715/City-Hall-Curtains.jpg | | City of Phoenix Adds Virtual Budget Hearing | <div class="ExternalClass6CCA1DAAABB543F3B51E66FCF01D4A8D"><html>
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<p>The City of Phoenix Budget and Research Department has added a 12th budget hearing for virtual and in-person participation as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring the City's budgeting process is transparent and accessible for all residents. </p>
<p>The additional budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. online and at Phoenix City Council Chambers (200 W. Jefferson Street). Residents will be able to comment virtually from a computer or mobile device.</p>
<p>During the month of April, the Budget and Research Department is hosting 11 other in-person community budget hearings, and one virtual/in-person hearing, inviting residents to attend and give public comment on the Trial Budget. The schedule of budget hearings can be found at <a target="_blank" href="https://phoenix.gov/budget/hearings"><strong>Phoenix.gov/budget/hearings</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This proposed Trial Budget for fiscal year 2023-24 includes $14 million for service additions in key City Council priority areas such as: public safety and criminal justice, including adding firefighters to staff a new Fire station located at 19th Avenue and Chandler Boulevard which will help to improve response times; further efforts to civilianize positions in the Police Department to allow sworn officers to respond to higher level public safety calls for service; resources to continue important expiring grant funded programs to support low-income residents and victims of crime; resources are also proposed to add park rangers for overnight patrol at City parks, and increases for community arts grant funding. Additionally, $1 million is reserved for community input and recommendations reflecting resident comments gathered over the next several weeks. Based on available funds some of the suggestions could be incorporated into the final City Manager's Budget scheduled to be presented to City Council on May 2nd. The remaining $5 million would be allocated to the General Fund contingency fund, or rainy-day fund to account for proposed ongoing spending initiatives.</p>
<p>The 2023-24 Trial Budget also proposes to allocate resources to address employee compensation, so we can provide the highest level of service ensuring our most valuable assets are paid competitively and positions can be filled with the best talent available. The City is experiencing significant vacancy rates due to the competitive labor market and therefore approximately 85%, or $114 million, of the total $134 million surplus in the 2023-24 Trial Budget is allocated to employee compensation. This investment in our employees is necessary and will help to fill vacant positions so the services residents rely on and expect can continue to be provided with improved service levels.</p>
<p>
<strong>What is the General Fund?</strong>
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<p>The General Fund is part of the City of Phoenix's total budget. The General Fund is made up of resources including general sales tax, property taxes, revenue distributed by the state from income tax, sales and vehicle license taxes, and some fines and fees. The General Fund supports many of the services our residents, visitors, and businesses have come to expect in Phoenix such as libraries, parks, senior and youth programs and police and fire services.</p>
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<strong>What's Next?</strong>
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<p>After community review, City Manager Barton will present a revised proposed budget to the Phoenix City Council on May 2, 2023. The City Council is expected to decide on the budget on May 16, 2023. The approved budget will take effect July 1, 2023.</p>
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<strong>Community Input</strong>
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<p>Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming in-person budget hearings. The community is also encouraged to use the City's FundPHX interactive tool to provide input. The <a target="_blank" href="https://phoenix.gov/fund"><strong>FundPHX tool</strong></a> allows residents to provide direct feedback on the proposed FY 2023-24 Trial Budget additions. All input received from the tool, at the budget hearings, or by contacting the Budget and Research Department directly at budget.research@phoenix.gov or by calling (602) 262-4800 will be provided to the City Council, so they may consider your feedback prior to adopting the budget.</p>
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<strong>Community Budget Hearings</strong>
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<p>The City of Phoenix is holding 12 budget hearings including one bilingual community-wide hearing and community-wide hearings for youth and arts. <br> <br><strong>Hearing schedule:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type:disc;">
<li>District 6, Monday, April 3, at 8:30 a.m.<br> Devonshire Senior Center, Multipurpose Room<br> 2802 E Devonshire Avenue <br> <br></li>
<li>District 2 and 3, Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m.<br> Paradise Valley Community Center Multipurpose Room<br> 17402 N 40th Street<br> <br></li>
<li>District 3, Tuesday, April 4, at 8:30 a.m.<br> Shadow Mountain Senior Center<br> 3546 E Sweetwater Avenue<br> <br></li>
<li>District 5, Tuesday, April 4, at 6:00 p.m.<br> Washington Activity Center, Building B Multipurpose Room<br> 2240 W Citrus Way<br> <br></li>
<li>District 1, Thursday, April 6, at 8:30 a.m.<br> Cholla Library<br> 10050 N Metro Parkway E<br> <br></li>
<li>Bilingual Community-wide, Monday, April 10, at 6:00 p.m.<br> Maryvale Community Center Multipurpose Room<br> 4420 N 51st Avenue<br> <br></li>
<li>District 7, Tuesday, April 11, at 8:30 a.m.<br> Desert West Community Center<br> 6501 W Virginia Avenue<br> <br></li>
</ul>
<p>· Community-wide Virtual Hearing, Tuesday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m.<br> Phoenix City Council Chambers<br> 200 W Jefferson Street<br> <br></p>
<ul style="list-style-type:disc;">
<li>Youth Community-wide, Tuesday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m.<br> Central High School Student Union<br> 4525 N Central Avenue<br> <br></li>
<li>District 4, Wednesday, April 12, at 6:00 p.m.<br> Steele Indian School Park, Memorial Hall<br> 300 E Indian School Road<br> <br></li>
<li>District 8, Thursday, April 13, at 6:00 p.m.<br> South Phoenix Youth Center<br> 5245 S 7th Street<br> <br></li>
<li>Arts Community-wide, Saturday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m.<br> South Mountain Community College, Library Community Room<br> 7050 S 24th Street</li>
</ul>
<p>The hearings will broadcast live on the City of Phoenix's Facebook and YouTube pages. Learn more at <a target="_blank" href="https://phoenix.gov/budget/hearings"><strong>Phoenix.gov/budget/hearings</strong></a>. <br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/budget | News | | budget-and-research | A photo of the curtain and Phoenix logo in Phoenix City Council Chambers. | Budget | | | | | | Adam Waltz | 602-781-1334 | 602-534-6648 | | | adam.waltz@phoenix.gov | | | | | | | | | cityofphoenixaz | The additional budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. online and at Phoenix City Council Chambers (200 W. Jefferson Street). |
