[{"_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",6565715,"mediaKeyId","3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83","parentId",3213775,"title","Council rebukes use of city‑affiliated name; El Mirage Cares program to continue under city oversight while nonprofit renames","audioSeconds",1934,"startMs",8509000,"endMs",10443000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83&start=8509&end=10443","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83/thumbnail_8509000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565715/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-rebukes-use-of-cityaffiliated-name-El-Mirage-Cares-program-to-continue-under-city-oversight-while-nonprofit-renames","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565715-e29a6e32dcbf77a331937d977b0e2019/orig.mp4?Expires=1776246757&Signature=YAyI9nhQ5~5JNVVh3weg0JAHmyGf4p1xkLMw8xsXj5TlFI5SkJfX7hIdQoswBe5Op7wSF1IBXbIVgrNFW-VpBlZH9GdXC4eW1smeXUNuNVd7VBVyJL4S1soMoN~M5JIMR~pxfS4ojtdz60jGcGOZ7r2LRFMfL1Q0mgl7b~lXe2wWlUmJANd6fJfFjT8xx1SOG7HVViqcwSywhDu6Gd0GOyCSBe4maORl6V9dxKGJN8oDG5cJL5LLTVf0LbCZYhFf6fuIsK07z6cZr8k9MMLqLz~JhDHIy25k0coV5jivQdUmzTcA~i8lzxxYRCExCoa40F35sjK0dYK2a0z~U8ioeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Mirage, AZ","date","2025-05-06T19:00:00Z","article","The Common Council debated the future of the El Mirage Cares program on May 6 after council members raised concerns about use of the city‑affiliated name and filings by a councilmember to register the name privately.

Mayor Alexis Armacillo opened the item by saying the city would keep El Mirage Cares as a municipal initiative but urged greater oversight and clarified concerns about the use of city intellectual property and staff resources without prior council authorization. Mayor Armacillo said he had asked staff to review internal procedures to “ensure that this does not happen again.”

Vice Mayor Parsons, Councilmember Winston and other members described the filings and coordination as a breach of trust. Councilmember Winston said councilmember Norton McDaniel filed trademark and nonprofit paperwork before the city had discussed or approved such an arrangement, which councilmembers said created confusion about whether El Mirage Cares was an independent nonprofit or a city program. Winston asked that registrations be cancelled if the nonprofit board would not voluntarily withdraw the El Mirage Cares name.

Councilmember Norton McDaniel said she had informed the city attorney and city manager of her plans and that the nonprofit’s board had decided to rename the organization. She told the council her nonprofit would continue related community work under a new name and that the board preferred the new name; she said no city staff resources or funding were taken for the nonprofit work. Norton said the nonprofit would continue collaborating with city staff and community partners.

Several council members demanded clarity and a formal response. The council requested that the nonprofit board confirm it will remove the El Mirage Cares trademarks/registrations; the mayor and other members asked staff to be prepared to take further legal steps if the registrations are not withdrawn. The council also directed staff to review policies for handling city program names, trademark and branding use, and to clarify when outside organizations can use city‑affiliated names.

No formal punitive action was taken at the meeting; the council sought to reassert city control of El Mirage Cares, requested the nonprofit board reconsider its filings and asked staff to return with options if the board does not withdraw the registrations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","El Mirage, AZ - City Council Meeting - 05/06/2025 - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members sharply criticized a council colleague’s private trademark and nonprofit filings using the El Mirage Cares name. The council reaffirmed the program as a city initiative, asked the nonprofit board to withdraw the city‑affiliated name, and directed staff to review procedures and consider next steps.","taxTitle","El Mirage, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",63519,"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},6565720,"El Mirage to replace two failing digital park billboards with higher‑resolution panels; contract approved",1387,7112000,8499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83&start=7112&end=8499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83/thumbnail_7112000.jpg","/articles/6565720/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-to-replace-two-failing-digital-park-billboards-with-higherresolution-panels-contract-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565720-aeefc509d5a5b12e9db250de051b1e6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776246757&Signature=HlzcORhJwRyqrJfaGuLC4qVt34g68F5o4x2j5ZoaQ8dq1j-3uixSFrLfwHVkGBTIbKpJG7JpmLSi4BZvgyRuFKThoUXFOCzQQ6zx89RSiP9hgVWnbNSf55rEiSE3wW9-ykhZU3Xi98nBK8tW~8sjJyZiS2704kzHa1M4CaHh~yzZhywZ7iHUEePcFRbqSna9FMzHcfSa5Z~86Yyn54jILVnJy4KqOxSTH20VSgMzNMKmdKbOXv-nJZv4ezS1j~M6SslFjnTbRZK4gptsbuCThKxtbEKUtwVNNzVIVCqYSQWSX7DJl2LbJjk4Xk9Pfz~tf9Ov-gsRpkCIy3QfZN6DFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Mirage Common Council on May 6 approved a one‑time purchase to replace two outdated digital billboard displays at Gateway Park and Bill Gentry Park. The contract will be with Precise Sign Company, LLC using an existing cooperative contract (IAGPA contract) and the approved purchase amount is not to exceed the budgeted FY2025 amount of $260,000.

City staff said the existing cabinets were different manufacturers and used older 19–20 millimeter LED panels; one of the displays shows visible color defects and blocks that make text hard to read. Staff recommended upgrading both signs to Daktronics 8 millimeter displays for improved clarity, standardizing the cabinets and software, and adding a branded wrap and logo panel to the Gateway Park sign so it matches the Bill Gentry installation.

A staff review committee conducted on‑site demonstrations and virtual software reviews and recommended Daktronics hardware. The recommended vendor, Precise Sign Company, submitted a quote that the committee found within budget and included a 10‑year warranty and a parts package. Precise Sign Co. said the panels and parts are widely used (the company cited stadium and institutional customers) and that the Daktronics warranty provides long‑term support.

Council approved the purchase unanimously. Staff estimated the installation would take approximately eight weeks once the purchase order and site work proceed. The new system will also be capable of displaying time/weather and is compatible with the federal IPAWS system for emergency alerts.

Implementation notes: staff will schedule installation, order parts, and provide a timeline; the vendor begins background site work and surveys following purchase order authorization.","Council approved a one‑time purchase of new Daktronics 8mm LED displays and related cabinet/pole upgrades for Gateway and Bill Gentry parks. The vendor is Precise Sign Company under a cooperative contract; the project is within the FY2025 budget.",{"_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},6565724,"Council narrows where manufactured and modular homes may locate; allows modular homes in mixed and suburban zones",3873,3223000,7096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83&start=3223&end=7096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83/thumbnail_3223000.jpg","/articles/6565724/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-narrows-where-manufactured-and-modular-homes-may-locate-allows-modular-homes-in-mixed-and-suburban-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565724-6e4f782a6fb478d58f73a16fb0b8d705/orig.mp4?Expires=1776246757&Signature=flNNXFGqJOaOXfbs1zQh4vz4nt8haDqBgqVELu5MzWJ20DmDJtfkXNnkZ1REKh9SO9asQ7EdnTDEiV6ecVVM3HcVeXsGVMMypbPaBEoBG7RhXuI8BtNMwYDH~Mbu2Cbaz1Sz3-S3jlTWvRo2eelLdb4GcnC4Lz7umfwdanHoUj52rDSEQYWdnYKop~2o03R-ob~HGUHnR7VBgz1VVroKz9nBVd6lR3DfB~liU5Z1mG0AQD-BGAP~waAv6ryMsHlkYAf4wZ1tiZYeaXpAVVIR4MiVDJ5FH1PJ01RhqyJIiK0DHWvQl14-FSQJclAkHi3-B4wly8JXZI4NbQIgenH4Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council of the City of El Mirage on May 6 adopted a text amendment to the zoning code (land use volume 2, chapter 154.052) that changes where manufactured and modular homes may be built in the city.

The council’s final action removed municipal permission for older-style manufactured homes in mixed‑use (downtown) areas and clarified that factory‑built modular homes — which local staff said are built to state or local building codes and are equivalent to site‑built units — may be used in mixed‑use and suburban neighborhoods as a permitted option. The council approved the amendment by unanimous vote following a staff presentation and a Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation to allow modular homes by conditional use. Council amended that recommendation to make modular homes a permitted option rather than requiring a conditional use permit.

Staff told the council the code distinguishes three product types: mobile homes (pre‑1976/non‑HUD standard), manufactured homes (built to HUD standards after 1976), and modular homes (factory‑built to state/local building codes). Staff’s draft recommended prohibiting manufactured and modular homes in some zones; the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended keeping modular homes available by conditional use in mixed‑use and suburban zones and allowing modular construction as an option for multifamily. At the council meeting, members agreed to permit modular homes in mixed‑use and suburban areas and to prohibit manufactured homes from mixed‑use zones.

Public comment was mixed. One resident who owns a modular home argued that factory construction can be higher quality and urged the council not to categorically exclude factory-built dwellings. Others said HOAs should retain authority to enforce covenants and standards in their neighborhoods; staff clarified that private covenants would still control in HOA neighborhoods.

The ordinance takes effect within 30 days of adoption. Staff said the change is intended to balance neighborhood character concerns in older parts of the city while preserving a modern modular option that can increase housing affordability and speed of construction in appropriate locations.","The council amended the zoning code to prohibit manufactured homes in mixed‑use areas and to allow modular homes in mixed‑use and suburban neighborhoods (by council amendment making modular homes a permitted option). The measure passed unanimously.",{"_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},6565730,"El Mirage council adopts consolidated fee schedule and tentatively approves FY2026 budget; fee vote tied to water rate action",867,2452000,3319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83&start=2452&end=3319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83/thumbnail_2452000.jpg","/articles/6565730/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-council-adopts-consolidated-fee-schedule-and-tentatively-approves-FY2026-budget-fee-vote-tied-to-water-rate-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565730-d2128b4332efda7adf45ec2c2822f573/orig.mp4?Expires=1776246757&Signature=ET80YXFAidCU-NrssS3Cyqk9j3sGq~6kZrM0Y4qbIcv2LCxsM4hjTYtiJhvHnQUKi-tbuOgjxEjtAXOFRdy1clFSgmiLdGI4IniT9Stgq-hq9xErcz1SG-u6mW5X1tHz1LgXKnRAByPaZnUnc1Lo2N8EzTTE9kJNZr6ZIFjyxCFOLTrjQQzA8yaNjTyWIWlhmL8BdOn6YAFgGaraC9g3rXNUtoglk50EpPbTek8D8Q6R1a-7EOHBHTbaahi4XBKinYnxBLORXBYUI-1ONHDuL5dPEo-arsRdtYvcKpv54Grz9FTj8uYdAiJl0sh99nXBELm2o4CmwxJmaZp2zJaO2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Mirage Common Council on May 6 adopted a consolidated fee schedule (Resolution R25-55) that incorporates the utility rates approved earlier in the meeting and adopted a tentative FY2026 budget (Resolution R25-506).

Staff told the council the consolidated fee schedule includes the utility rates just approved by the council and other miscellaneous fees and service charges. City staff noted the fee schedule also consolidates some Fire Department fee categories for clarity. The council approved the fee schedule by a 4–3 vote.

Later in the meeting the council adopted the city’s estimated expenditures and revenues (tentative budget) for fiscal year 2026. Staff presentations said the overall budget is about 2% smaller than FY2025 and listed personnel and capital changes: 235.8 full-time equivalent positions, a 2.3% cost-of-living adjustment for non‑MOU employees, a 3% average merit increase for non‑MOU employees, and a carryforward of capital projects and special projects. Staff noted the irrigation fund would be rolled into the water fund and the Dysart streets project was complete.

The tentative budget passed the council 5–2. Staff said final property‑tax figures and the final budget would return in June, and transfers and revenue forecasts would be updated before final adoption.

Council members asked for clarity on the budget format and noted this year’s object-code changes required a 0‑based presentation for FY2026; staff explained the change and said future budgets will use a hybrid approach to improve comparability. Council also asked staff to clarify transfers in and out and to provide more readable budget materials so residents can trace revenue flows and transfers.

Votes and next steps: Resolution R25-55 and the tentative budget resolution R25-506 were adopted; staff will bring the final budget and property‑tax hearing back to the council in May/June with updated transfer accounting and any technical adjustments.","Council adopted a consolidated fee schedule that implements the newly adopted utility rates and moved forward the city’s tentative FY2026 budget. Both actions were approved after debate: the fee schedule passed 4–3 and the tentative budget was adopted 5–2.",{"_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},6565734,"El Mirage council approves water rate increase after contentious public hearing; meter replacement debated",3301,1651000,4952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83&start=1651&end=4952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213775-ba33ecb34b3041c5db979285f1ff3d83/thumbnail_1651000.jpg","/articles/6565734/El-Mirage/Maricopa-County/Arizona/El-Mirage-council-approves-water-rate-increase-after-contentious-public-hearing-meter-replacement-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565734-1da2444379caf4bb39cd63401bfe59e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776246757&Signature=d-QZviN6DP8Zn9mOxdWZOCz6bfyw2qTyHyVAQ9Y7LIbQ6y60Vx1QWnpUj2SCu-OWAX8MiV6jbv0nG~5y8wAGHAyGkIcAHxBcmt8T7w1EErrg35GCzWjq2Sx5kRrDjJxdyTEJ~5yHdZg1MtFAlkw965ybZSO9laYvJXer3KTLGTHK4kg4rczehHYrt4KktdD0n1O3Uvn6GoPvP3UMDgs4zvd3j1zsU8DmISIIAJsg-XmbvPunFtYXTGJpMkCUljTV5~g5K6KSlXLQ~JS1-CyWsnseY02Wyg59Z1EoIbbNCAkLbF35Shsif5ZNYeYLu1zNQvTGpf88MZl1lyzz9SQ39A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council of the City of El Mirage on May 6 approved Resolution R25-54, establishing changes to water and wastewater rate components that include a 3% water rate increase in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and a move to a flat sewer rate. The resolution passed after the council first rejected the measure and then voted to reconsider and adopt it 4–3.

The action matters because the rate change is the revenue mechanism identified by staff to pay for a planned replacement of the city’s aging water meters. Public Works staff told the council there are 12,000 water meters in the city that would be replaced under the project; the capital estimate in the budget materials for the meter replacement was $8,500,000. Public comments said residents are already facing rising costs and urged the council not to raise rates.

At the start of the public hearing, several residents urged the council to hold or reduce any increase. “If there’s any way you can not raise the water, that would be great,” resident Tom George told the council during the hearing. Earlier in the call to the public, Jeff Lock asked the council to “live within its means” and asked for a 10% reduction in the city budget.

Staff presentations explained the rationale. The city’s water fund operates as an enterprise fund: user fees are intended to cover the cost of operations, maintenance, debt and capital investment for water service. The public works representative said the current meters were last replaced in 2014 and that “there are 12,000 water meters in the city that will be replaced by this project.” The same presenter said the capital budget estimate for the replacement, including labor and market pricing, was $8,500,000.

Council members and staff debated alternatives. Council members asked whether the general fund could be used to pay for the meter project; the city’s budget staff and city attorney said enterprise funds are intended to be self-supporting and using the general fund to subsidize utility infrastructure would raise legal and policy concerns and could shift costs to El Mirage taxpayers that would otherwise be borne by water customers — including a square-mile area served in the City of Surprise. Deputy City Manager Robert Miller noted that the system also serves Surprise and that “somewhere north of 15% of all of our water usage” comes from that area.

Council debate was vigorous: one motion to approve the resolution failed on an initial vote (two yes, five no). Council then voted 4–3 to reconsider; on the second vote the measure passed, with Vice Mayor Parsons, Councilmember Dorsey, Councilmember Winston and Mayor Alexis Armacillo voting yes, and Councilmembers Aldridge, Gentry and Norton McDaniel voting no.

Councilmembers stressed competing responsibilities: some said delaying replacement risks a failing system and inaccurate bills for customers, while others emphasized current economic pressures on residents and urged the city to find alternatives. Councilmember Dorsey said the enterprise fund structure allows the city to track the true cost of service and that delaying replacement risks greater costs later. Councilmember Aldridge said she would not support the increase because residents are “nickels to nickels” and need relief.

Council direction and follow-up: staff will proceed with the adopted rate schedule and continue procurement planning for the meter project. Staff said procurement had not yet been executed and that the 2014 replacement had cost approximately $3.6 million. Council members requested more precise cost and operations figures (for example, annual cost to read meters manually for the roughly 20% of meters currently read manually), which staff said they would provide.

The council’s vote on R25-54 was the most contentious item of the night; it directly affected the city’s proposed fiscal plan adopted later in the meeting and will be reflected in the city’s consolidated fee schedule and FY2026 budget.","After a public hearing that drew residents’ objections, the El Mirage Common Council approved Resolution R25-54 to raise water rates 3% and authorize work tied to a planned citywide meter replacement. The vote followed an earlier failed motion and a successful reconsideration that passed 4–3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rebukes use of city‑affiliated name; El Mirage Cares program to continue under city oversight while nonprofit renames

El Mirage to replace two failing digital park billboards with higher‑resolution panels; contract approved

Council narrows where manufactured and modular homes may locate; allows modular homes in mixed and suburban zones

El Mirage council adopts consolidated fee schedule and tentatively approves FY2026 budget; fee vote tied to water rate action

El Mirage council approves water rate increase after contentious public hearing; meter replacement debated