[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6121700,"mediaKeyId","2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e","parentId",2700230,"title","ALCP projects near completion as costs rise; staff cites inflation, stormwater and right-of-way","audioSeconds",1476,"startMs",9180000,"endMs",10656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e&start=9180&end=10656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e/thumbnail_9180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121700/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/ALCP-projects-near-completion-as-costs-rise-staff-cites-inflation-stormwater-and-right-of-way","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121700-197bd8d135c6f534d61395af978563ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161657&Signature=QBm8zR1iUGO11ESeWiJYOMcdtT0omYREAkLBZVNhLIYZMdVWsx4t5ASEGQd-ApY3AEq0CFkCDuSooEg-4~~b4Cm1a0Hg9wxLxwKj6jVwonKRJzVKPO7-1BZKf8JBOxYmKpZFQnbeR57tI3PZzwXHNRBVjfhrblmXriUF4fU97zH1x1GdIyc8IcJQOtKi0~DFCW20kBmGwtcDF7U1QDQhQaGT2Acqqh02-ycBABLJLtIc9zVDv05pfL-VbvktA6-WeEIuJAGJEmEtt3xBRDB0ZtGmpK4bybrS3DJx3sUT1ZDx8meiXlKLKp~v7oZSK4SuaogTg5NK1IqatCo-1-Z6Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scottsdale, AZ","date","2025-03-20T00:46:56.033Z","article","Nathan Domi and other staff updated the Budget Review Commission on Scottsdale's Arterial Life Cycle Program (ALCP) projects on March 19, noting the program is nearing completion but that several major segments experienced substantial cost increases.

The ALCP work is funded primarily by the regional Prop 400 sales tax (administered by the Maricopa Association of Governments), which typically pays 70% of eligible costs; the city provides roughly 30% local match. Nathan said the program has delivered dozens of arterial upgrades since 2005 and that, as of the fall of 2024, about 74% of the ALCP was complete; staff expects to be at about 83% by 2026.

Staff reviewed recent project budget increases and causes:
- Raintree/Scottsdale/Hayden project: initial approved budget ~ $19.3 million; total approved budget rose to about $39 million (stormwater and other factors and final construction accounting noted by staff). There was a modest leftover balance staff expects to apply to future ALCP work.
- Pima Road (Pinnacle Peak to Happy Valley): originally programmed near $22 million; final project cost reached about $50 million. Nathan said a large drainage/channel work component and associated stormwater funding accounted for much of that rise.
- Pima Road (Happy Valley to Alma School): increased from roughly $12 million to $37 million for similar reasons (stormwater, right-of-way, and inflation).
- Jomax/Scottsdale segment (under construction): increased from roughly $23 million to $43 million; staff cited utility conflicts (notably APS relocations), stormwater and right-of-way as drivers.

Nathan told the commission that the regionwide cost surge on roadway work is not unique to Scottsdale: MAG data presented to the group showed steep price increases since 2020 in earthwork, concrete, drainage and asphalt — categories that substantially raise the cost of arterial reconstruction.

Staff said the city seeks non-general-fund offsets where appropriate: stormwater fees, flood-control district funds and developer or tribal contributions (the presentation cited SRPMIC funding for a nearby alignment) have been used to reduce pressure on the local match. Nathan also said MAG and ADOT remain partners on specific interchange and arterial projects.

Commissioners asked whether Prop 400's regional pool and the city's 0.1% matching tax would generate the local match required; staff said the program is reaching its end of collection but MAG is allowing projects to be completed using previously committed funds. Staff committed to bring additional design and cost-assessment work on the remaining segments (for example, Los Piedras, Stagecoach to Cave Creek and Carefree Highway segments) before major construction funding requests.

Why this matters: ALCP projects are major arterial investments with substantial right-of-way, drainage and utility complexity; rising costs for earthwork and drainage can significantly increase local matching requirements and pressure capital budgets. Commissioners asked for more detailed design-phase cost estimates on remaining segments to clarify local budget exposure.

Evidence: staff presentation slides, project-level budget change tables and MAG cost-trend figures shown to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Review Commission - March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Nathan Domi and other staff updated the Budget Review Commission on Scottsdale's Arterial Life Cycle Program on March 19 and reported substantial budget increases on several major ALCP segments due to combined inflation, stormwater and right-of-way costs.","taxTitle","Scottsdale, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2563,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121715,"Scottsdale staff outlines fund-balance rules, warns reserves below 20% risk rating downgrade",2681,1070000,3751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e&start=1070&end=3751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","/articles/6121715/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Scottsdale-staff-outlines-fund-balance-rules-warns-reserves-below-20-risk-rating-downgrade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121715-154796e0d33ed18b857e90f289652a08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161657&Signature=A4CpJB3Ph90BbzHUnTfyVOUzHe3YTqIzI608arPqrUObtvE~oibxUoU~bHaYXWt3OVBnIQc5ZS99NPX-pC1gA3VOL27ZIYp3MkhH-3Fy8n2WxupH~ChdTiyIx-CH7v~cJ3ozv~u6lfbHPMQGVJsPFE1RmSa71MF1xiQZ9YqH8SUtWzgGxnFJwQwQQjolgUbuI7OOxTWRisE8eXsKfr~nGvvqog0hh2upk0YNF0kBOXucmac6guuj1liL7TMKdNUVpv8jA7sVRtukaDQqvI3lNrvr7xwi76fnYhfxzJVqPioQrTxEsgsd6l5tRJfyVuTSQpLMT7oYzVGKcyqex9HA6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sonia, budget staff, told the Scottsdale Budget Review Commission on March 19 that \u001cfund balance\u001d includes reserves, contingencies, restricted, assigned and unassigned balances and that each component serves a different purpose.

The presentation explained why the city keeps reserves: to maintain services during revenue shortfalls or emergencies, meet debt covenants and support the city's bond rating. Sonia said, \u001cRating agencies consider fund balance and reserves of utmost importance for a financially sound and strong city.\u001d

The city's council-adopted reserve policy sets the general fund target at 25% of operating expenditures (5% emergency reserve and 20% operating reserve). Staff noted that Fitch Ratings had told the city its general fund reserves sustained below 20% could prompt a downgrade; Moody's and S&P use comparable tests. Sonia said the city also applies a GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) risk-based analysis, which supports a roughly 25% reserve recommendation for Scottsdale's assessed risk profile.

Commissioners pressed staff on two recurring points: how the city replenishes reserves when used, and how the city treats \u001cexcess\u001d revenues. Sonia said the city policy requires replenishment of reserves used back to policy levels within two years. She also said council policy does not automatically place unanticipated \u001cbonanza\u001d revenues into reserves; excess funds are frequently directed to one-time operating or capital needs instead.

Staff reviewed distinctions between reserves and contingencies. Reserves are \u001crainy day\u001d funds for extraordinary events, while contingencies are set aside for unplanned but ordinary-course needs (for example, a midyear storm-repair appropriation). Sonia said the grants fund carries a relatively large contingency (listed in the presentation as $10 million) because the city often needs budget authority before grant awards are received.

Commissioners requested additional transparency on several items: a roll-forward showing how fund balance and contingencies have moved during the fiscal year; an itemized view of assigned funds (for example, pension-related assignments); and a clear display of the unrestricted fund balance available for policy choices. Chair David Smith asked staff to provide answers compiled for distribution at the next meeting; Sonia said the team hopes to deliver those documents for the March 27 meeting.

Why this matters: reserve policy influences the cost of borrowing and the city's ability to maintain services in a downturn. Commissioners signaled they want a follow-up showing transactions that created the current fund-balance picture so they can assess tradeoffs between reserves, operating priorities and capital spending.

Staff evidence spans the presentation and Q&A during the chair report and fund-balance slides; staff said council-approved reserve levels and a Fitch opinions letter inform the advice presented to the commission.","Sonia, budget staff, told the Scottsdale Budget Review Commission on March 19 that fund balance includes reserves, contingencies, restricted, assigned and unassigned balances and that each component serves a different purpose.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121694,"Budget Review Commission approves corrected minutes, adjourns after CIP and transportation briefings",554,201000,755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e&start=201&end=755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e/thumbnail_201000.jpg","/articles/6121694/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Budget-Review-Commission-approves-corrected-minutes-adjourns-after-CIP-and-transportation-briefings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121694-4c02858f2f57be73350958bd119c99d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161657&Signature=W4XHBoh4DRr6j9-CKZCuRBLOP75ChLtXNVzBo-xm9XJSHq3Z2Ywoh0Xkja01ZmA9wXrjrcQ9jVjGaZ8bZL3hh2WxloY1~gXQ-JJSZvftnF3kgMw6oYQi5~co1G1zvv1n6292yrkFBHfOU38SQQkQE71HKTN6TY8xSAX1JUHyxl0V-wEnrqyPbldrXnUg0QqJkm0NgqEhUBAVSc94ki0kr4O8wKzntwbfK9hebBICgDnwhsYzAfxGuGcqEzjTYzoJ75TEbHzwmbPh6l29MW3-hffWgBe3W1DkxLRoS4GGejiTjludnzgTR2gWvESCSgdS2DHLOS9WNjhlOTWfri0kdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget Review Commission convened March 19 at Scottsdale City Hall. The roll call showed Chair David Smith, Vice Chair Daniel Schweicker, Commissioner Carla, Commissioner Brad Newman, Commissioner Jim Ransko, Commissioner Sharon Sites and Commissioner Mark Stevens present.

The commission unanimously approved the Feb. 27 minutes as corrected and later unanimously approved the Feb. 28 minutes as amended. The approvals followed motions and seconds recorded in the meeting; the commission used the electronic voting buttons to register unanimous approval.

Near the end of the session Commissioner Mark Stevens moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Daniel Schweicker and carried unanimously.

During the final agenda item commissioners proposed future agenda topics for staff consideration. Among items discussed and forwarded to staff were a review of FTEs and overtime (including the intersection of overtime and staff burnout), and a suggested April work session to \"gut check\" commission priorities and outstanding deliverables. Staff said it would accept topic requests and consider placement on future meeting or work-study agendas.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion: Approve Feb. 27, 2025 draft minutes as corrected. Mover: Vice Chair Daniel Schweicker. Second: Commissioner Brad Newman. Outcome: approved unanimously (yes: David Smith; Daniel Schweicker; Carla; Brad Newman; Jim Ransko; Sharon Sites; Mark Stevens).
- Motion: Approve Feb. 28, 2025 draft minutes as amended. Mover: Commissioner Mark Stevens. Second: Vice Chair Daniel Schweicker. Outcome: approved unanimously (same voting panel).
- Motion: Adjourn meeting. Mover: Commissioner Mark Stevens. Second: Vice Chair Daniel Schweicker. Outcome: approved unanimously.

No ordinances, resolutions or contracts were adopted during the March 19 session; the meeting focused on presentations and requests for additional information.","At the March 19 meeting the commission took roll, approved the Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 minutes (as corrected), and later adjourned. Commissioners also requested follow-up items for future agendas, including FTE/overtime review and a mid-April \"gut check\" on work products.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121704,"Commission weighs $26 million pavement-preservation increase as city's PCI hovers near 62",1983,7304000,9287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e&start=7304&end=9287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e/thumbnail_7304000.jpg","/articles/6121704/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Commission-weighs-26-million-pavement-preservation-increase-as-citys-PCI-hovers-near-62","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121704-857de65ba5de777c302ae1d09d4be180/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161657&Signature=VEUJqwuXoZvG9k1N89q9ofKJeu8nWHmG-rthavtNdwQgocLZaKKHVytfOgF4ePzqaPy08NzHfdQZdptuGI0tgS0LxTpqaXngdHIPzNGjGwyPaLRLVA4G038GGY3MreAFCN5jmFGXuo1IKduWdsNSTVOusmES2ZYJ0fyDyTPJb-8OaNcMAC852vXKnQvjQ82EqcmbgRbaBB-dyOhseTSPv1d7~zTGA57~G3BERepgpdgKNhBf1jkVFaueWp3GkM4tx9nL987URDcXGL4jv4x8m1K0T~QgxI2nNpODFgLtqXrDd98kCX4YC1AUcamXeJxyxwbL7BV4KNo3lMYcWqIKGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nathan Domi, planning manager, told the Budget Review Commission on March 19 that Scottsdale's overall pavement-condition index is about 62 and that the transportation program proposes $26 million for pavement preservation in FY25-26 as part of a roughly $100 million five-year preservation program.

Nathan said the city maintains an inventory and PCI model for every roadway and that pavement-preservation treatments range from fog seals and crack filling (least costly) up through full reconstruction (most costly). He said the city's pavement-preservation team and consultants model outcomes: \u001cIf we establish a goal of what PCI you like, we can establish how much funding we would need to maintain that level and then select which roads need treatment in the five-year plan.\u001d

Staff said the pavement program is delivered largely through on-call contracts; if the commission increases annual funding the contracts can be extended to treat more lane miles in the fiscal year. Nathan said Scottsdale has roughly 910 lane miles of asphalt and that the single-year \u001cy\u001d accounts the city uses for annual overlay work are intended to be spent within the two-year cycle that each \u001cy\u001d account covers.

Commissioners pressed staff on three practical issues: (1) the roll-forward of the multi-year CIP that makes next-year spending projections hard to reconcile; (2) whether more pavement work should be done in-house rather than outsourced to save cost; and (3) whether the commission should choose a target PCI (for example, 70'77) and fund the resulting \u001csurge\u001d required to achieve it. City Manager Greg Keaton said the policy choice is balancing operating pressures (wages, services) against investment in capital preservation; he characterized the decision as a resource-allocation tradeoff.

Staff said the pavement group will provide the commission with detailed road-level PCI data and a five-year treatment priority list; commissioners requested a distribution showing lane-mile shares currently in \u001cgood,\u001d \u001cfair\u001d and \u001cpoor\u001d condition so the commission can see whether the average PCI masks localized failures.

Why this matters: pavement-condition decisions are resource-intensive because delaying preservation often leads to much higher reconstruction costs. Commissioners signaled they want a policy-level decision on a target PCI and a reconciliation of how additional annual funding would change long-term needs and tradeoffs with operating budgets.

Cited presentation slides and commissioner Q&A provide the supporting evidence.","Transportation staff told commissioners the city's pavement-condition index (PCI) is about 62 and proposed increasing FY25-26 pavement-preservation spending to $26 million (roughly $100 million over five years) to raise and sustain PCI. Commissioners questioned how the program is managed, whether more work should be done in-house and asked for a",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121710,"Scottsdale officials present $1 billion FY25-26 capital program; commissioners ask for reconciliation of large carryforwards",2579,3661000,6240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e&start=3661&end=6240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700230-251b93f3c6f55e4b6d19e0350c0fd50e/thumbnail_3661000.jpg","/articles/6121710/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Scottsdale-officials-present-1-billion-FY25-26-capital-program-commissioners-ask-for-reconciliation-of-large-carryforwards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121710-27eb66b4636a87752c3ec9b06889a621/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161657&Signature=g1~id20cuxG2QARuij7EX3LgmtX6nfohTQNjhqUn1t2GPKiwHitUiSKnXzLAHbGodL9m~8WPlzlA1SpB~Dm-ZyG~UeQBNvkiXnV-7AIGiseVAMmy0eWVbaugeQdWFF-VK-rmGHQAvZFSjvztr29Sivlqc8xa6sBtPaodPgiPzfVnyGWIt5-lKP4aPWaYrWkg5BJixR0a0fVND9W2gwIZ8dEnVbBjnEKjg1nk~kMuEFpUfjpN-gx6-1uwDQ3wxahIZjxKuxXqy39cVLB8aaJpB9BaWkcIjwMpoGYJ1Nj5-Kuq~EtfbsiTfTAQFHJLIq7krk2B-wr17CAbxz-UYEoKQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Selene, the city's budget director, told the Budget Review Commission on March 19 that the proposed FY25-26 capital budget and five-year Capital Improvement Plan together total just over $1 billion.

Scott said roughly 18% of next year's proposed capital spending is covered by the general fund, about 28% by rates and fees, and roughly 20% by debt (a mix of general-obligation and excise-tax-secured MPC debt). He emphasized the program combines continuing projects carried forward from prior years and newly proposed projects for FY25-26.

Commissioners challenged staff to reconcile the large change between last year's budget book and the current proposed amounts. Commissioner Mark Stevens noted that projects the city showed as planned in the prior document for FY25-26 appeared to have jumped from about $530 million to roughly $966 million for \u001cexisting\u001d projects. Scott and other staff explained the jump principally reflects carryforward of partially spent multi-year projects, projects that moved from design into construction (which raises planned spending in the next fiscal year), and additional phases authorized during the current year; staff said part of the increase also reflects inflation and schedule adjustments. Scott told commissioners a reconciliation is possible but will be a manual process and staff offered to produce a roll-forward showing how the adopted FY24/25 figures reconcile to the proposed FY25/26 numbers.

The commission heard that the city carries a substantial amount of unspent capital authorization forward each year: staff said the current carryforward into FY25/26 is about $556 million. Commissioners asked for several follow-ups: a clearer cash-flow view that shows expected spending (actual cash outlays) by year rather than only project authorizations, a reconciliation that separates (a) projects existing at the beginning of FY24/25, (b) projects added during FY24/25, and (c) newly proposed projects for FY25/26, and an accounting of where significant non-city funding (federal, regional or developer contributions) is included in the pie-chart funding slices.

City Manager Greg Keaton and Scott described the budget process as a balancing exercise between operating needs (for example, wages and ongoing services) and capital needs (asset replacement and new construction), with staff deciding whether a given request is an \u001cabove-the-line\u001d capital priority or a lower-priority \u001cbelow-the-line\u001d item during budget development.

Why this matters: the scale of the capital program, plus large multi-year carryforwards, makes it harder for commission members and the public to compare year-to-year spending plans. Commissioners asked staff to produce reconciliations and cash-flow tables so the commission can more effectively identify cost growth versus schedule-related carryforward.

Staff evidence covers Scott Selene's CIP overview slides, follow-up answers during Q&A, and the commission's requests for reconciliation and cash-flow documents.","City budget staff told the commission the proposed FY25-26 capital budget is roughly $1 billion and explained funding sources and the role of multi-year carryforwards. Commissioners pressed staff for a reconciliation showing how last year's projected project spending rolled into the current year's nearly $966 million display and asked for greater","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ALCP projects near completion as costs rise; staff cites inflation, stormwater and right-of-way

Scottsdale staff outlines fund-balance rules, warns reserves below 20% risk rating downgrade

Budget Review Commission approves corrected minutes, adjourns after CIP and transportation briefings

Commission weighs $26 million pavement-preservation increase as city's PCI hovers near 62

Scottsdale officials present $1 billion FY25-26 capital program; commissioners ask for reconciliation of large carryforwards