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Home My WebLink About2009 01.07 PCR Agenda Q ACNE t„ Z Cityof Apache ache Junction lir 4R,zoNP Home of the Superstition Mountains Parks and Recreation Department located at the Northeast corner of Superstition Blvd &Idaho Road Apache Junction Parks & Recreation Commission City Council Chambers 300 E Superstition Blvd. Apache Junction, Az. 85219 Regular Meeting January 7, 2009 6. 00PM A CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA E ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES ...m+ November 5, 2008 F PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT - The Director or those individuals designated by the Director may present information pertinent to items under consideration or information related to the operation of the department. G OLD BUSINESS. 1 Update and discussion on Friends of Apache Junction non-profit organization. 2. Presentation and discussion on 2009 Home Rule election. 3. Update and discussion on fiscal year 2008/09 budget shortfall H. NEW BUSINESS• 1. Presentation and discussion on "Open Meeting" and `conflict" laws 2 . Discussion on scheduling staff introductions at Commission meetings. 3. Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. 4. Selection of next meeting date I . CALL TO PUBLIC. Arizona Open Meeting Law allows individuals to address Commission on any issue within the jurisdiction of the Commission 300 E SUPERSTITON BLVD,APACHE JUNCTION,AZ 85219 (480)983-2181 Voice * FAX(480)982-2438 *TDD(480)983-0095 *www ajcity net elmN Commission may not answer your questions or discuss your comments at this time. However, at the conclusion of Call to the Public, Commission may do any of the following. 1) respond to criticism made by any individual who addresses the Commission, 2) ask staff to review a matter, 3) ask staff to place the matter on a future agenda Commission shall not discuss or take legal action on matters raised at Call to the Public unless the matters have been properly noticed for discussion and legal action. Please stand, approach the podium microphone and state your name and address after being called to speak There is a three (3) minute time limit per speaker. J ADJOURNMENT If any disabled person needs any type of accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (480) 474-2617 or (480) 983-0065 (TDD) at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled time. egiN 300 E SUPERSTITON BLVD,APACHE JUNCTION,AZ 85219 (480)983-2181 Voice * FAX(480)982-2438 *TDD(480)983-0095 * www.ajcity.net HOME RULE OPTION RENEWAL INFORMATION WHAT HOME RULE IS- • "Home Rule" is the option under which citizens and the city council they elect make annual budget decision for their city "at home" rather than by using the State- imposed limitation This appears as Proposition 100 on the March 10, 2009 election ballot • Home Rule has been in effect in Apache Junction since 1985, when city voters approved this local option for the first time, This issue must be re-submitted to city voters every four years • Apache Junction is penalized by the "base year" of 1979-80 used by the State Legislature to determine the expenditure limitation because this was the first complete fiscal year for the newly incorporated Apache Junction. Most Arizona cities do not have that problem • Without the Home Rule local option, Apache Junction would need to conform to the State imposed expenditure limitation This would mean a reduction of approximately one-third of the general fund budget—up to $8 9 million for fiscal year 2009-2010 and at least $39 8 million over the next four years • Simply put, the Home Rule Option Renewal means that local citizens would control how existing revenues are allocated in setting the city budget, using your local needs and priorities as seen by the community rather than by a State-imposed formula. • Renewal of the Home Rule Expenditure Limitation Option enables the City to continue to expend only the revenues generated The City has always maintained a balanced budget • A "Yes" vote means that you are for Home Rule renewal, and for setting a balanced city budget locally though your elected representatives • A "No" vote means that you are against Home Rule renewal and would prefer to see the City operate under the State-imposed budget limitation WHAT HOME RULE ISN'T- • The Home Rule Renewal Option does not empower the City Council to create new and additional taxes, nor does it enable the City to spend beyond the revenue it currently receives. BACKGROUND OF THE HOMERULE OPTION In the summer of 1980 the State Legislature referred to the voters a constitutional amendment designed to limit the annual expenditures of all Arizona cities and towns by a formula. To determine the expenditure limitation, the State established 1979-1980 as a "base year ' Added to this base year is an adjustment for population growth and inflation. 1 The Base Year - The base year is critical because it is the foundation upon which all future budget adjustments are made Apache Junction is unique in Arizona in that the base year was the City's very first complete fiscal year The 1979-80 fiscal year was not a typical year for the City — as it was for most communities in Arizona — it was the year we were just getting started, as a result we had a very small budget and population - Looking at library services for example, there was no money in the 1979-80 budget for library services For library services today, therefore, the State limitation would allow zero dollars to be adjusted for inflation and growth Zero times zero is still zero 2 If voters renew Home Rule once again as they have each election since 1985. - It will not affect balancing the budget We are already required by State law to have a balanced budget What it will do is allow the City to spend the general fund monies it already has for programs and services its citizens today feel are essential, things like police, parks, a library and services for all ages 3 If voters reject Home Rule. - It means that Apache Junction must set its annual budget under a State- imposed formula This formula penalizes fast growth cities such as Apache Junction and Gilbert wherein inflation and old population figures do not reflect current needs and demand for services - Failure means the State expenditure limitation will necessitate a cut of approximately one third of the general fund budget over four years This reduction in expenditures amounts to $ 8,936,408 for FY 2009-2010 It amounts to $39,753,502 for the next four years The general fund is what is used to pay for police, parks, libraries and general government services a io ACHFG2 O -4, k? Expenditure Limitation Impact By Fiscal Year FY 2009-2010 $ 8,936,408 FY 2010-2011 $ 9,668,998 FY 2011 -2012 $ 10,479,335 FY 2013-2014 $ 10,668,761 Total $ 39,753,502 The above figures on the right show the amount of revenues each year that although accrued, could not be spent on programs and services in the City of Apache Junction These represent expenditures for such items as library books, police officers, road construction and maintenance, and parks and recreation, if the Home Rule Option (Proposition 100) is not adopted