| 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 | | 1/17/2025 7:00:00 AM | 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="ExternalClassC26921BE823C4F56B0B9A1611446C7A6"><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 href="mailto:privacy@phoenix.gov" target="_blank">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 |
| Culture Corner Debuts at Sky Harbor International Airport | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/aviation/3324 | Aviation | | 1/14/2025 11:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3324/newsroom_aviation_108.jpg | | Culture Corner Debuts at Sky Harbor International Airport | <div class="ExternalClass80747632E6E24978A3C540DBC245EE1E"><html>
<h3>Unique space begins the Airport's celebration of 90th anniversary<br></h3>
<p>In 1935, the city of Phoenix purchased Sky Harbor Airport. The airport has grown from being known as “The Farm" to one of the nation's busiest, most innovative, and most friendly airports. In fact, America's Friendliest Airport® is always looking for ways to elevate the passenger experience, and as part of the kick-off to a year-long celebration of activities to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the city of Phoenix purchasing the airport, a new place to show off the beauty and cultural diversity of Arizona is being launched. </p>
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<img src="/aviationsite/MediaAssets/Jan%202025%20(PSC%20Taipei%20Comm)%20Culture-Corner-Tabletop-Sign.jpg" style="margin:5px;width:400px;vertical-align:baseline;height:520px;" class="" />The Culture Corner in Terminal 3 will be a place where guests can quickly learn, observe, and participate in various cultural activities, performances and more. It will be home to monthly activities like live art demonstrations, crafts, displays, readings, and more. Guests can take a break as they navigate the airport and learn something new while they are on the go. All Culture Corner activities will be free to customers.<br><br><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>“Arizona is as diverse as its people and visitors, and the Culture Corner is the perfect way to illustrate that,” said Deputy Aviation Director for Public Relations Heather Shelbrack. “We are home to many hidden gems and world-renowned artists, and I can’t wait for our visitors and guests to learn more about them and take part in their activities.”<br><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br>The Culture Corner is launching the initial Learn & Go session with the Phoenix Sister Cities Taipei Committee presenting a live art demonstration, including calligraphy, paper folding crafts and making children's hats. This event will take place on Friday, Jan. 17, from 2-4 p.m. The Culture Corner is permanently located post-security near Gate F3 in Terminal 3.<br><br>The Culture Corner will have programming each month, and the popular Traveling Tunes program will also take place in this space. Organizations interested in learning more or how to participate can contact Culture Corner staff at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:skyharbor@phoenix.gov">skyharbor@phoenix.gov</a>. Once an organization is selected, they and the staff will determine what cultural experience will work best.<br><br>Visit the Culture Corner webpage at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skyharbor.com/culturecorner">skyharbor.com/CultureCorner</a>. More information on how PHX will be celebrating the 90th year anniversary will also be coming soon.<br><br><strong>Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,</strong> America's Friendliest Airport®, has an annual economic impact of more than $44 billion. On an average day, approximately 1,000 aircraft and more than 130,000 passengers arrive at and depart from Phoenix Sky Harbor every day. PHX Sky Harbor is funded with airport revenue. No tax dollars are used to support the airport.<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/aviation | News |
