[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6107534,"mediaKeyId","2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886","parentId",2773500,"title","City finance staff report steady revenues overall but warn on flat sales tax, building‑permit declines and insurance overrun","audioSeconds",1516,"startMs",4560000,"endMs",6076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886&start=4560&end=6076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6107534/Arizona/City-finance-staff-report-steady-revenues-overall-but-warn-on-flat-sales-tax-buildingpermit-declines-and-insurance-overrun","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107534-d0361c114b06ed544fe94750c1e729e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138504&Signature=OZhdO~OcFrpv843veCZWNVAYl9lhTufNI13MMFysYtW6YQC0LsMPZEWqQIlAz0HJRsVop6dmzr4jkBtxaAJL5TjoHAhIPVJFAZEDedIeK5j609fYAsnVBEhNRf7SrAIKuAvujQGwZtqI4LajFPXVWWC8hJw5nRm2mOAAHU9aKOlxi2gm1miZ5EjYnZ589vBjolLa7H38Lo6J5mZlblbWoegOwQzQVlSHVs8CMFrvHRwrT3gDmXRGzXG6cc-zQQ6MrQOPTGJUPN4EVpSoEQgDokZ6GAGnYWe39D~i5JaZZx9p2qKHbMyMMouhYl2HJEkqADOhryZx-Z4--giRojzqBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sierra Vista, AZ","date","2025-02-28T00:55:13Z","article","City finance staff presented a midyear budget review Thursday that showed general revenues largely tracking budgeted levels but flagged several risks: flat sales‑tax receipts compared with the prior year, lower building permit and construction tax receipts, and an unanticipated insurance expense.

A city staff presenter identified in the record as \"Fix It\" told the council that December receipts ordinarily exceed the monthly average and then trend back; this year, however, the sales tax total is \"basically even slightly, very slightly below last fiscal year,\" he said. He noted ambulance revenues were up because additional crews are matching higher service demand and that leisure‑program revenues were above budget following recent programming successes.

Staff said building permit revenue and the construction contracting tax have fallen behind prior‑year levels in January and cautioned that slower local building activity would reduce that revenue stream going forward. The presenter also noted broader state fiscal uncertainty over possible changes to state tax policy and said the city has budgeted a one‑time million‑dollar line item to smooth revenue transitions related to state shared income taxes.

Council members asked about specific variances. The presenter attributed a large variance in the general government line to an insurance bill that arrived after the budget was finalized; the current year estimate for insurance had been set at $600,000 but staff said the final bill exceeded that by about $400,000. Staff said the overrun will be covered by reallocating a planned city expenditure that will not occur this year and by reviewing insurance options for the next fiscal year.

On personnel, staff told council the city’s public safety hiring picture has improved: police staffing is close to full after a multi‑year shortage and fire staffing likewise is near budgeted levels, improving overtime and service reliability. Staff said an ordered ladder truck and a new ambulance chassis remain in production and that longer national manufacturing timelines mean such equipment deliveries can take 12–24 months.

What happens next: staff said they do not expect to draw on general fund reserves at midyear given current projections but emphasized that revenue uncertainty around construction activity, potential changes in state tax law and large one‑time costs warrant continued monitoring during the budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session | 03.25.25","oneSentenceSummary","City finance staff told the council midyear revenues are generally tracking budget but highlighted risks from flat sales tax, weaker building‑permit receipts and an unexpected insurance bill.","taxTitle","Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona","taxId",37671,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107543,"Council gives consensus to reallocate $188,000 in unspent CDBG funds to Fab Avenue improvements; applicants to present on Thursday",3414,1129000,4543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886&start=1129&end=4543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886/thumbnail_1129000.jpg","/articles/6107543/Arizona/Council-gives-consensus-to-reallocate-188000-in-unspent-CDBG-funds-to-Fab-Avenue-improvements-applicants-to-present-on-Thursday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107543-5b94ca97f320ca728448cb481720ab39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138504&Signature=OTASQTIZ3JAcgUERXnKRlzB1OEjsvZhf1tBZ~yj75M1Me~82gZsIceRJWZ~Bo3wtRd56r~jxb--k1GEBYPlfA-DiIAbotZzcv-wOEsGyJxgomWrNhEXR7SZzFoXOjkQU3vJaQyoCytLRF259ioOITBKo-uSFePb5m3PYTHrnlIIvCUzWtSeHAka6VQwyRS7EqMJJL7baTbLqr7nMeqb83DwJpRUxJsvN0Na8DQ4RlpOjEGyCV3AmXVIoedIE4E24vAE9bPTTRO~BQZLBM7Vt7h1fi66D~TJZ~g41uF582Cl4uYBNmPNWOYGOfYI9YuCxgYmayMxc4mchX1SHesC2XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the Sierra Vista City Council for guidance on applications for the next program year of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and sought council direction on a proposed reallocation of roughly $188,000 in unspent CDBG funds to improvements at the Fab Avenue property on the West End.

Mermatt, a Community Development staff member, told the council staff is preparing applications with an estimated baseline allocation of about a quarter‑million dollars and that HUD had not yet announced the official allocation. He reviewed program rules: CDBG primarily serves low‑to‑moderate income households, staff said, and federal rules cap the portion devoted to public services at 15 percent of the allocation.

Mermatt said the Neighborhood Commission added a step this year by ranking applications; its recommendation favored directing funds to projects that address infrastructure and public facilities in eligible low‑income block groups. The commission ranked the walkways at the tiny‑home project proposed by Catholic Community Services as its No. 1 priority — a request Mermatt said equates to \"just under $60,000.\" Other applicants include Saint Vincent de Paul (parking‑lot rehabilitation), the Cochise Western Model Railroad Organization (curb, gutter and sidewalk at a Ford Avenue property), United Way (emergency crisis fund/rental and utility assistance) and Better Bucks at Sierra Vista (a request to revive the Better Work program that employed people to remove trash from public lands and run community resource events).

Mermatt also described an unspent $186,000 carryover from last year’s Montebello Fire Safety Improvement Project. He proposed using that carryover to augment a planned Fab Avenue right‑of‑way improvement, coordinate drainage fixes and add frontage landscaping or interim parking improvements. Staff said phase‑one work would focus on drainage and curb, gutter and sidewalk to make the property more usable and that additional funds or state grants could be pursued for a future pocket park or plaza.

During the discussion council members asked about prioritization, the scope of each applicant’s request and steps to notify applicants that their project may be better suited to a different funding source (for example, staff said the Cochise Western Model Railroad Organization’s request was a stronger candidate for an FTA transit grant given its proximity to transit stops). Council Member Rodriguez asked staff to ensure applicants feel consulted if staff steers them to alternate grant opportunities.

After discussion the council signaled consensus to proceed with a substantial amendment to the program year 2024 annual action plan to incorporate the $188,000 carryover for Fab Avenue improvements. Council members directed staff to begin the public‑process steps described by Mermatt: prepare the substantial amendment, open a 30‑day public comment period and hold two public hearings required by the CDBG citizen participation plan.

What happens next: Applicants will give short presentations at the council’s Thursday meeting; staff will draft the annual action plan for public review and then submit it to HUD after the public comment and hearing period. Staff also said it will include the cash‑flow and program details on the city website and work with applicants on alternate grant opportunities where appropriate.","City staff asked the council for funding direction on CDBG applications and showed a plan to use roughly $188,000 in carryover CDBG funds to address drainage and frontage improvements at the Fab Avenue site on the city’s West End.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107539,"Tennis association and pickleball club ask city to address maintenance, drainage and add courts to meet demand",1207,2197000,3404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886&start=2197&end=3404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886/thumbnail_2197000.jpg","/articles/6107539/Arizona/Tennis-association-and-pickleball-club-ask-city-to-address-maintenance-drainage-and-add-courts-to-meet-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107539-d807ee3dd7f8e378e0f277fa6e14a926/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138504&Signature=Tb3JlYNmlslRVq3z7OxuBxnbt4gyzRrb0-hqgVoNEPfwkw7~1NifTkuZgaPCZVL1QaMp7ZqYH1c17qMEd0hyzqFhjQyT65EokC1YBOk~vUdj1lN9ZJtby3jJcwBxIPGXPdQltmRflHXgoS1~-hUTHxdYUvDISKJ1izRkTaash2JzLl85MCdwL2uWUk7n2LBh-7PZi6jI4tXUUcT-Co6TEJvbr7b0VvElllkeiHqly3q~3ic0yPBhfawbtVa~xngvT2PVoay3l1tKYi8t5zjns-jK2tQHSLEVEjgRHH7i4FeNarGFuH2StMoHnsxtrxkxjXr35JqBc5HYxoV-fAj2BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Sierra Vista Tennis Association and Sky Island Pickleball Association told the council Thursday that maintenance backlogs, drainage problems and missing amenities are reducing safe play and limiting the city’s ability to host larger tournaments.

Ryan, a neighborhood representative who organized the joint presentation, said the groups pooled maintenance requests to present a unified list of needs for both tennis and pickleball courts. He described cracked surfaces on the newer tennis courts, missing bolts on fence posts, broken net posts on pickleball courts and inadequate wind screens and shade.

Michael Wetzel, president of Sky Island Pickleball Association, told the council the sport draws a broad cross‑section of residents and that additional courts would see heavy use. \"Pickleball to us is is not only just everything, but it's family,\" Wetzel said. \"There's every race. There's every religion, social, economic status out there, all ages, and all abilities.\" He said his organization currently rents courts elsewhere for events and that an eight‑court expansion would be used and could generate income for the city.

Jeff Emery, president of the Sierra Vista Tennis Association, said tennis remains active locally (he estimated roughly 60 members) but that USTA‑sanctioned tournaments require courts to meet specific standards the city’s courts currently do not meet. He thanked city staff who have worked on repairs while also stressing remaining maintenance needs.

Presenters proposed several short‑term fixes — improved installation of wind screens, replacement or repair of damaged net posts, additional benches and hydration stations, addressing drainage that brings mud onto courts during rain events — and longer‑term options such as resurfacing to meet USTA standards. The groups suggested adding additional pickleball courts on the west side of the nearby basketball court (an area with former RV hookups) where organizers said space would allow more courts than simply converting the basketball surface.

City staff and council members encouraged the groups to meet with Laura, the parks and recreation director, to walk the site and prioritize repairs. Councilmembers said they appreciated the groups’ volunteer work and asked staff to follow up. Council Member Rodriguez asked that staff send council a short email summarizing the outcomes of staff‑group meetings so elected officials remain informed.

What happens next: Staff said they will meet with the club representatives to review photos and priorities, investigate warranty coverage for recent surfacing work, and identify potential funding sources (including grants and the organizations’ nonprofit status) to help pay for repairs or expansion.","Representatives from Sierra Vista’s tennis and pickleball organizations told the council their courts need repair and upgrades and proposed adding courts to meet high demand and host events.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107545,"City staff to publish 60‑day public notice ahead of possible sewer rate increase; sewer fund shortfall cited",214,758000,972000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886&start=758&end=972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2773500-ebb2b804b30257abd3222323e0ba3886/thumbnail_758000.jpg","/articles/6107545/Arizona/City-staff-to-publish-60day-public-notice-ahead-of-possible-sewer-rate-increase-sewer-fund-shortfall-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107545-0ff3088d23219a0f4bcc003fced3a1b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138504&Signature=SRwBLTYO7wRndKmAOXm87xw5CvFbiOhd-~AKnGiH1odd0A1kByqX5KRXsHrxlxbE6t3QgSqj~5DSVh3wUTXogq98ibZF31zW-9J294HjFhei8hGbQnycjMG6ZkEZ4~BkICxBTloadASUUymfTGboNH6VJUPsWgVKBaLwtgJ~MU00DF5FsQwe9Y3ULZXfYuEOSstX74afJfRD818wc8sOReMIhnLJ2LRxT~hMWhj9DuRl2P9Ujjga4cABQMLgp2DG-ucyzA451vqKJmuKMnd5qNQATeJpGWE9JSQrXnbg~FV34ykQrdLiILP2oeo08TeRUewgxbGV69NJADWT8XrtbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff said Thursday they will publish the 60‑day public notice required by Arizona law ahead of a May 21 council vote on proposed sewer rate changes.

Felix, a city staff member, told the council that Arizona Revised Statutes require the notice and that the city will make the cash‑flow statement attached to the proposed resolution available on the city website and at the city clerk’s office. \"We'll put a 60 day period comment period out there. We'll vote on the actual increase at the May 21 meeting,\" Felix said.

The item matters because city staff reported the sewer enterprise fund moved to a significant operating deficit last year. Felix said the sewer fund went \"over a million dollars cash negative last year,\" and that a $600,000 transfer provided short‑term relief. Staff said several maintenance needs are driving higher expenses: a ripped liner in the effluent recharge plant, multiple sewer line repairs (including a line that serves a Taco Bell), and other ongoing maintenance work.

City staff said the last sewer rate increase occurred in 2012 and noted the plant upgrades at that time reduced electricity costs by about $200,000 annually. Felix said the proposed package would include a sewer rate increase, a sewer connection fee increase and a refuse rate increase, and that staff is also proposing to suspend the park, infrastructure, police and fire impact funds because current development revenue is not covering those impact‑fee programs.

Felix described the sewer connection fee increase as being coordinated with planned plant work and said staff will present estimated plant costs at an upcoming work session. Felix told council members the change is intended to better match development charges to the expected cost of a new plant and to simplify the fee structure developers face.

Council Member Benning said he compared local rates with Prescott and that the proposed increase appeared \"well justified.\" Felix and other staff members said refuse‑rate changes are not subject to the same 60‑day notice requirement under state statute as sewer rates.

What happens next: staff will publish the 60‑day notice, post related documents online and at the clerk’s office, and present more details — including consultant recommendations on liner repairs and an estimated cost for plant work — at a scheduled work session. The council will be asked to consider the actual rate change at its May 21 meeting; no final vote on rates was recorded at Thursday’s meeting.","City staff told the Sierra Vista City Council it will publish a 60‑day public notice required by Arizona law before the council votes on proposed sewer rate changes. Staff says the sewer enterprise fund ran a more than $1 million operational deficit last year and that repairs and aging plant liners are driving the request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City finance staff report steady revenues overall but warn on flat sales tax, building‑permit declines and insurance overrun

Council gives consensus to reallocate $188,000 in unspent CDBG funds to Fab Avenue improvements; applicants to present on Thursday

Tennis association and pickleball club ask city to address maintenance, drainage and add courts to meet demand

City staff to publish 60‑day public notice ahead of possible sewer rate increase; sewer fund shortfall cited