| Annual Stormwater Awareness Campaign Encourages Residents to Help Keep Our Waterways Clean Year-round from Stormwater Pollution | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/water-services/3328 | Water Services | | 1/16/2025 5:40:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3328/Stormwater 2025 Newsroom v2.png | | Annual Stormwater Awareness Campaign Encourages Residents to Help Keep Our Waterways Clean Year-round from Stormwater Pollution | <div class="ExternalClass25ABA5293D0D442FBD8C72C7DF13948C"><html>
<p>The Water Services Dept. Environmental & Safety Division invites you to learn about the City of Phoenix Stormwater Management Program during the <strong>Annual Stormwater Awareness Week on Jan. 20-26, 2025.</strong> Stormwater Awareness Week is an annual regional effort to teach simple everyday actions to reduce stormwater pollution.<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span></p>
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<em>What is Stormwater Pollution?</em>
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<p>In Phoenix, stormwater is rainwater that flows over roads and through gutters and does not soak into the ground. This stormwater enters our storm drainpipes, which carry the water to protected surface waters like the Salt River or Skunk Creek. Unlike water we use to flush our toilets, stormwater does not go to a treatment plant. It flows from the storm drains untreated right into rivers and washes. <br></p>
<p>As stormwater flows across areas like roads and parking lots and into our storm drains, it can pick up pollutants like oil and pet waste and carry them into our washes and rivers. This creates significant water quality challenges. Because pollutants can enter surface waters through our storm drain system, the city is required to have a Clean Water Act MS4 permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to operate that system. <br></p>
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<em>What the City does to prevent Stormwater Pollution?</em>
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<p>Several Phoenix departments work together to support the MS4 permit through the Stormwater Management Program including Phoenix Water Services, Office of Planning and Development, Office of Environmental Programs, and the Street Transportation Dept. <br></p>
<p>In 2024, the program added storm drain management tools and a database to help manage this complex permit, which uses infrastructure of 760 outfalls where rain flows, 80 of which are located along the Salt River. Additionally, a new stormwater post-construction program required by the permit allows owner-led inspections to minimize staffing costs. </p>
<p>"Stormwater Awareness Week encourages our community members to take everyday actions to help protect the quality of our water,” said Berai Kimball, Deputy Water Services Director. “With our separate systems for stormwater and wastewater, it’s important to remember that stormwater doesn’t get treated and flows directly to nearby washes and retention basins, infiltrating the soil, making it imperative that we work daily to keep our water system clean.”</p>
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<strong>How can residents participate in Stormwater Awareness Week?</strong>
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<p>Since the campaign's initial launch in 2019, more Valley municipalities and government agencies have participated in the weeklong event. We are encouraging the public to get involved by taking steps to reduce stormwater pollution by learning more at our <a href="https://cityofphoenix.webex.com/weblink/register/rf4432881ec344b42e9dd7b602165d251" target="_blank"><strong>Virtual Workshop</strong></a> which is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, at noon to discuss the City’s Stormwater Management Program and our activities to reduce stormwater pollution. Attendees are required to <a href="https://cityofphoenix.webex.com/weblink/register/rf4432881ec344b42e9dd7b602165d251" target="_blank"><strong>Register</strong></a> in advance to participate.<br></p>
<p>Simple actions to reduce stormwater pollution include: <br></p>
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<li><p>Properly disposing of trash, recyclables, and chemicals like detergent, paint, medications, etc.</p></li><li><p><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">Recycling motor oil and maintaining your vehicle to prevent leak
s</span></p></li>
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Cleaning up after your pet
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Using lawn chemicals sparingly and always following manufacturers’ directions
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Properly disposing of lefto
ver paint and household chemicals at a household hazardous waste event <br>
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And please remember - only rain in the storm drain
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To learn more about the City of Phoenix Water Services Department Stormwater Awareness Week and what you can do as an individual or business to prevent stormwater pollution, please visit <a href="/waterservices/envservices/stormwater-program" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/stormwater.</a>
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<p>Media Contact:<br></p>
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<strong>Jimena Garrison</strong>
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<p>Senior Public Information Officer <br></p>
<p>Water Services<br></p>
<p>Cell: 480-390-1933 (call or text) </p>
<p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:jimena.garrison@phoenix.gov" target="_blank"><strong>jimena.garrison@phoenix.gov</strong></a></p>
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<strong>Angela Serda</strong>
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<p>Public Information Specialist<br></p>
<p>Water Services</p>
<p>Cell: 623-499-8919 (call or text) </p>
<p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:angela.serda@phoenix.gov" target="_blank"><strong>angela.serda@phoenix.gov</strong></a><br></p>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices | News |
| City of Phoenix Appoints New Chief Privacy Officer to Strengthen Commitment to Data Privacy | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/information-technology-services/3326 | Information Technology Services | | 1/16/2025 4:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3326/CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER_newsroom.png | | City of Phoenix Appoints New Chief Privacy Officer to Strengthen Commitment to Data Privacy | <div class="ExternalClass7B3063BD8EDA47DD92E594A828AA8804"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix and Information Technology Services Department are pleased to announce the appointment of Ciara Maerowitz as the City’s Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). This role underscores the City’s commitment to responsibly handle and protect the data of our employees, residents, and business partners. </p>
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<p>Maerowitz brings nearly ten years of experience in regulatory compliance. Previously, she held positions at multiple global financial services firms, where she implemented global privacy programs across over 50 jurisdictions in highly complex and tightly regulated environments. </p>
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<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">"I am honored to continue my work in privacy as the City’s first dedicated Chief Privacy Officer,” said Maerowitz. “Privacy is a cornerstone of the trust our residents place in us, and I look forward to leading the City's efforts in enhancing privacy protections and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations." </span>
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<p>In this role, Maerowitz will drive transparency, trust, and accountability in handling personal information by pursuing the highest standards of data protection. Maerowitz will play an integral role in developing and maintaining frameworks for data governance, providing guidance on mitigation of privacy risks, and ensuring the City of Phoenix continues to comply with emerging global privacy laws. The Chief Privacy Officer will also act as the main contact in the event of a privacy breach, both internally and externally. </p>
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<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">Maerowitz holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College. She is recognized as a Fellow in Information Privacy (FIP), a prestigious designation given to select experts in the fields of privacy risk management by the International Association of Privacy Professionals. The City of Phoenix is committed to upholding the highest standards of data protection, ensuring that the personal data of its residents and customers is always treated with the utmost care and respect. The Data Privacy Office can be reached at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:privacy@phoenix.gov">privacy@phoenix.gov</a>. </span>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/its | News |
| Phoenix Considers Multiple Options to Balance Budget | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/city-manager/3325 | City Manager | | 1/15/2025 3:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3325/Newsroom_Budget_001PCH.jpg | | Phoenix Considers Multiple Options to Balance Budget | <div class="ExternalClass8149680D7C2343FE98DAA5351FF56AEA"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix is exploring options to deal with a potential budget shortfall, which could include raising sales tax or cutting some services to residents. The City is required to adopt a balanced budget each fiscal year.</p>
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<p>Under the direction of the Mayor and Phoenix City Council, the City has successfully managed significant growth in population, square miles serviced, inflationary pressures on spending, while providing robust services to residents including public safety, parks, libraries, streets, additional services for those experiencing homelessness and increased efforts to combat summer heat. Seeing the fire crisis unfolding in Los Angeles is a reminder of the importance of appropriately funding these important services. </p>
<p>However, decisions made at the State level including the elimination of residential rental sales tax and the implementation of a flat income tax will negatively impact the City's budget and result in reduced ongoing revenues.</p>
<p>Unlike the Federal Government which can continue to spend more than the amount it takes in, the City is required by law to have a balanced budget, which means reaching a budget for the coming fiscal year may require raising revenue, cutting services, or a combination to keep the budget balanced going forward.</p>
<p>To give the City Council options as we progress through the budget process, the City has posted a notice of intent to increase transaction privilege tax (TPT) and use tax (sales taxes) by up to 0.5% (half a percentage point). This notice does not necessarily mean taxes will increase, but instead gives the Council and the community time to consider potential options to balance the budget. The Council would have to vote to increase taxes, something that would not happen for at least 60 days to give community members time to share their opinions about any changes. The Council is currently scheduled to consider the increase at the March 18, 2025, Phoenix City Council meeting. If Council approved any change, it would take effect on July 1, 2025.<br></p>
<p>At the same time, departments throughout the City are submitting potential cuts in services for City leadership to consider. The City Manager will use this information to create a trial budget which could include a possible tax increase, cuts to services provided to residents by the City, or a combination that leads to a balanced budget.</p>
<h2>Impact Of Potential Tax Increase</h2>
<p>The City of Phoenix has not raised the TPT rate for the General Fund in nearly 40 years. It was set at 1.2% in 1986 and has remained at that rate since. The combined TPT rate (including non-general funds) is currently 2.3% and was last increased in 2016 when voters approved the Transportation 2050 sales tax. For comparison purposes, the largest TPT category is retail sales tax and Phoenix's rate of 2.3% puts us in the middle for cities throughout the valley with some as high as 3.0%. Even if the full 0.5% increase was approved, the Phoenix Retail TPT rate would still be below Glendale and Buckeye and the same as Surprise. </p>
<p>What would the increase mean for the typical purchase? For a $4 cup of coffee, you'll pay an additional two cents. A $20 shirt would cost an extra dime. A $100 pair of shoes would be an additional 50 cents and a new $900 washing machine would add $4.50 to the cost.</p>
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<span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>Provide Feedback On The Budget<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span></h2>
<p>The City's more than $2 billion-dollar General Fund operating budget includes everything from police and fire services, to funding your neighborhood parks and libraries, the streets you drive on and services for seniors.</p>
<p>With a budget that size , supporting the fifth largest city in the country and 1.7 million residents, it can be a challenge to understand everything that goes into the services you receive. </p>
<p>To help residents better understand what is included in the General Fund budget, the Budget and Research Department uses software called <a href="/fundphoenix" target="_blank">FundPHX</a>. The interactive tool lets you see for yourself what each General Fund service costs, allowing you to recommend changes ahead of City Council making final budget decisions each year.</p>
<p>Right now, the tool is using current budget year numbers. Those will be updated with the City Manager's Trial Budget numbers in April where you can submit your own recommendations for next year's budget. Residents can also check the Budget & Research Department website for more information at <a href="/budget" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/budget</a>. <br></p>
<h2>More Information<br></h2>
<p>The City will also be hosting several budget information sessions to further explain this possible tax increase. You can find the schedule on the <a href="/calendar/budget" target="_blank">PHX City Calendar</a>.<br></p>
<p>The City has created the <a href="/fees" target="_blank">official Fee notice</a> as well as a<a href="/Documents/2025-PHX-Tax-Notice-Info.pdf" target="_blank"> detailed information document (PDF)</a> of the budget considerations for a proposed tax increase which includes service comparisons from the current year to those prior to the last tax increase, as well as a list of budget challenges and unfunded needs.</p>
<p>More information on the General Fund budget status and multi-year forecast will be presented to the <a href="/mayorcouncil" target="_blank">Phoenix City Council</a> on February 25, 2025.<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/citymanager | News |
