[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6241825,"mediaKeyId","3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e","parentId",3253399,"title","Florence council approves cooperative contract for security and fire-alarm upgrades and purchases gateway device for station alerting","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",3564000,"endMs",3755000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e&start=3564&end=3755","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e/thumbnail_3564000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241825/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Florence-council-approves-cooperative-contract-for-security-and-fire-alarm-upgrades-and-purchases-gateway-device-for-station-alerting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241825-5fca31e8eba4bf84e4bef1056b2735d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775353416&Signature=O9VprYSFvXU1MwM6MwrKxprihM9fkK8PA3uiZaQUfttKyqiS5ywRfj7GjMTBkzrDU-IvzNQDpR4qS~qScx1L8IpOcwv9Y4jHzDkpKctlukBumEO2M4TyWNmOliG-D7UAwNxKGhmCLK6E4ZrpvmQRE3mFqtFyoQAm82DWJfUR5mYtPq6XhgF2mO51sYsqAvyd4bB0s0J-kj~2QtXH8Lr~j0sNmzFj8au8HiQGaVq9b9VqDlzULcLBRQcx05OOUyViAy4A2rmNsNG71EWhFV48WqWOuM9ho-0EaprlYdHYBDhT4TR1ok-msF7tqilrjx~xY7gc3Vr8fZevHx1t-Uik6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Florence, AZ ","date","2025-05-08T01:01:20Z","article","The Town Council approved two items to complete townwide security and fire-notification upgrades.

Mister Snyder (public-safety/IT presenter) asked the council to approve a cooperative-use contract with Intelligrated Communications Inc. to complete security and fire-alarm systems in town-owned buildings. Council approved the contract in an amount not to exceed $153,141.92 following a motion by Council member Maldonado and a second; the vote was unanimous.

In a separate motion, the council approved the purchase of a gateway electronic device from US Digital Designs for up to $58,511.83. Snyder described the device as necessary to integrate fire-station alerting equipment with the town’s upgraded alarm-room CAD system so station notifications operate correctly. Council member Bucellato moved approval; Council member Bedford seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The contract and device are intended to complete the town’s integrated security and fire-notification capability across town buildings and fire stations. The gateway device is intended to ensure that upgraded alarm-room equipment properly notifies responders at Fire Stations 1 and 2.

Both actions were approved by unanimous vote. Staff did not report additional funding conditions at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved a cooperative-use contract with Intelligrated Communications to finish security and fire-alarm systems in town buildings for up to $153,141.92 and separately approved a $58,511.83 purchase of a gateway device to integrate station alerting with the upgraded CAD system.","taxTitle","Florence, Pinal County, Arizona","taxId",51043,"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},6241830,"Florence council adopts $98.5 million tentative budget, sets hearings and approves 10-year CIP plan",245,3130000,3375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e&start=3130&end=3375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e/thumbnail_3130000.jpg","/articles/6241830/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Florence-council-adopts-985-million-tentative-budget-sets-hearings-and-approves-10-year-CIP-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241830-b337926897ec210541cf297da55d7e62/orig.mp4?Expires=1775353416&Signature=GUU0XwRDJY6MXbrw73MA1h57wZ7G3vg~gUCy~e3REStX13PaNRnRR~oEM2OBbOiIBUrc0Am~GZOVbtqzVQv4R0h8e5jHNW3AJ~c11luP36e-SkuD1~Mt9tckyqfputm4qUPuB8cVMwSZr9Wc4uP6BYtJKIkk~hMEouMo3G-N8hdYqiP5i-sA9WjxVzlUqy3dGotfUfBWpkr8ET-YLvUseG6VNdyxDn-Tj-ElTd~fi2WVmkafeqqdBPfIEmTC9O6UoOLigvE0sbHxXn-8cakfFePD~nzki5qZluu75dZvomgQ5DmR8PikpfkVNbrLVlXCgbSu8h5n4St1BzmM~kDOqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council unanimously adopted a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 totaling $98,533,498 and set a June 3 public hearing for final budget adoption and the first reading of the property tax levy, with final tax-levy adoption scheduled for June 17.

Carl Dudding, who presented the tentative budget, told the council that adopting the tentative budget sets the maximum total expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year and that adjustments may be made before final adoption but the final budget cannot exceed the tentative total.

Council members praised the staff budget work. Council member Bucellato said the budget session materials were “laid out” and thanked staff and committee members for a smooth process. After discussion, Council member Bucellato moved to approve Resolution No. 1929-25 (adopting tentative estimates for fiscal year 2025–26); Council member Bedford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

On the capital side, staff presented a fiscal year 2026 capital plan with a single-year budget of $53,500,000 and a 10-year plan totaling $142,000,000. Town staff emphasized that the capital improvement plan (CIP) is a planning document and adoption does not commit funding; any CIP item over $50,000 will be brought back to council for separate approval. Staff said they made four changes to the draft CIP following budget-session direction, including moving three council-requested items forward to FY26 (a CERT truck and police department VR training among them), funding for restroom facilities at Main Street Park, and including a $75,000 carryover contingency for the rodeo well project that is likely to roll into the next fiscal year.

Council member Bucellato moved to approve the FY25–26 capital improvement plan; Council member Maldonado seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Adoption of the tentative budget sets the town’s ceiling for spending in FY26 and establishes public hearings and dates for final budget and property-tax decisions. The CIP provides a multi‑year planning framework for infrastructure projects, though staff clarified additional approvals and funding actions will be required before individual projects proceed.

Next steps: Staff will return June 3 for the public hearing and final budget adoption and again on June 17 for property-tax decisions.","The council unanimously approved the town's tentative fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $98,533,498, set public hearings for budget and property tax levy adoption, and adopted a 10-year capital improvement plan as a planning document.",{"_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},6241834,"Greater Florence Chamber reports membership growth, new website and events",908,2026000,2934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e&start=2026&end=2934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6241834/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Greater-Florence-Chamber-reports-membership-growth-new-website-and-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241834-e928b795dfd3ae826d401bd525b2c658/orig.mp4?Expires=1775353416&Signature=n~bZL4TexsHBFLZHTSdxD3t6x~KBrZgFeGTgEA5Sjvs21dVteNBWkKOhiGO8rLFXhbexQRoF-XLSEgdxscIR2~bGfsJgSE2FoV32L3tpuSbzemN3C8dOEzekL~asns93kN2JNk3tYTWeLrl8z5Py7nNjsIT77lyWcCLC7xJp449Cubdmofa4UVR59y5WI4AeMMO1iQtoxncvsiNckxlsnIv5O2wxXc7vhIJ2reLfa~QGkK45XO1S7YZsy84dEFXRSZsLqD0dI4O9cTNLuqKb0zSKq-8ox5GzDArZhkrEaNUWNDiswIp4GVFCUSozUcmi8FViianJNLLWj~LL8K1cAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paul Felker, executive director of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, told the Town Council that chamber membership has risen above its February goal of 250 to about 271 members and that the organization has added 38 new members since January.

Felker reviewed recent and upcoming chamber activities, including two mixers (Allstate agent Eldon Keiser in Anthem and a Windmill Winery event), the Tri City Expo in Eloy, small-business seminars, ribbon cuttings (including Safeway), and a “business spotlight” social feature the chamber will post on Facebook. Felker previewed a new chamber website and an updated business directory and said the website homepage will include an events calendar and member database.

Felker described membership tiers and pricing as presented to the council: individual booster $50; home-based business $100; charitable organizations $100; 1–9 employees $175; 10–49 employees $370.50; 50+ employees $625. He said the chamber has nearly completed a refreshed database, updated financials and new staff procedures.

Council members praised the chamber’s recent outreach. Vice Mayor Adam and Council member Bedford commended Felker’s work; Bedford suggested using Main Street photography to better brand chamber materials and the website.

Why it matters: Chamber events and marketing are an element of local economic development and tourism promotion; Felker said the chamber is working with neighboring chambers to attract tour groups and to promote local businesses.

No council action was requested or taken on the informational update. Felker said he would forward the presentations to the council after the meeting.","Chamber director Paul Felker told the council membership has risen to about 271, highlighted recent events and ribbon cuttings, and previewed a new chamber website and member outreach plan.",{"_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},6241839,"Florence hears First Things First briefing on childcare shortage; council asks for follow-up task force",1825,167000,1992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e&start=167&end=1992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3253399-79ab7cf880e16d01678ed3385d44011e/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6241839/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Florence-hears-First-Things-First-briefing-on-childcare-shortage-council-asks-for-follow-up-task-force","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241839-09016fc7f7d2dda9160b467c740bb010/orig.mp4?Expires=1775353416&Signature=gBhQk9AO~w-deiE9-gXCxhXzet5bV4RODer5kOU4KnZ9qMGTytfj695tfc0KrDiLph2Ko~wY62PTBqv3UU8nngGz-aV2RHjlmGj6eVH3Zm~EckdXR28MBW7a8YeUZlf2fJtqkQvUC4-57hdC9KfeVrsDSIRSAY24ntRFxlv1wHY3E0BTrGPg6y0k5AlcEc6MyQh4FMmX5-RDlvqX3FaHjLKaRYPMM2GsGyJKUyPT8MDCZr3LW1-BMpD6pZr75tBTuFQBZ1Kt4M27PP3xRdR7CofBmVJE8kFnYF3WMdqRPjYsCnSgD5qAigS5gWJC0uyMr0LVXlGTCNqHgsQAsfwp-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Annette Lopez, an engagement coordinator with First Things First, told the Florence Town Council on Monday that “the first 5 years of a child's life is our best opportunity to set its foundation for lifelong success,” as the agency outlined local gaps in early childhood care and learning.

The presentation, given by Lopez, grantee Dawn Wilkinson and Pinal regional director Katrina Divini, laid out three linked problems: a shortage of licensed childcare slots in the Florence area, shortages of childcare staff, and the cost of care for families.

Dawn Wilkinson told the council the local demand figure for children in the Florence area is 15,340 and that “currently, there are 421 childcare slots in the whole Florence area.” Wilkinson said those numbers represent “a percentage gap of 72 and a half percent.” She also reported program-level details: 77 slots in Florence proper with no infant slots and only 15 slots for 1-year-olds; 52 Head Start slots in flux pending federal budget decisions; 25 slots at Wonderland; and 265 slots in nearby Anthem (with five infant slots). Wilkinson described a workforce shortage that leaves classrooms closed even when physical slots are listed as available.

Lopez and Divini described how First Things First funds voluntary, no-cost grants to local partners and urged the council to treat childcare planning as part of local economic development. Divini proposed local actions other Arizona communities are using, including making underused municipal buildings available to licensed providers, startup or stabilization grants, zoning and permitting reviews to ease childcare siting, shared-use agreements with churches or schools, and encouraging developers to include childcare in new housing projects. “Florence works when childcare works,” Divini said.

Council members responded with a mix of urgency and offers of local help. Council member Bedford said she would “fight” for expanded childcare and asked the presenters to set up a meeting with state officials; several council members offered to help contact legislators, developers and nonprofit partners. Council member Bucellato and others said they were willing to assist with outreach and planning; council member Neal asked for more tactical next steps from First Things First, including the split between federal and state funding.

Wilkinson warned about cost and affordability: she said one year of infant care in Pinal County runs about $10,000 per year, and that at the federal benchmark of 7 percent of family income an affordable cost for that care would require a household income of about $151,000; by contrast she said the local average household income is about $73,000, making childcare roughly 14 percent of income in the area.

No formal council motion or vote was recorded on the presentation. First Things First representatives said they would follow up with the council and community partners to propose dates and participants for a local task force and to provide concrete next steps and funding options to the town.

Why it matters: Council members described the shortage as a workforce and family-stability issue that could hinder business recruitment and force parents out of the labor market. The presenters connected early-childhood investment to later reading and graduation outcomes and said that local planning and targeted supports could expand licensed capacity and workforce recruitment.

The council requested that the presenters return with more concrete proposals and funding breakdowns; First Things First agreed to “circle back” with dates to form a task force and with suggested partners.","First Things First presenters told the Florence Town Council the town faces a large shortfall in licensed childcare slots, highlighted workforce and affordability problems, and offered policy and local solutions; council members asked the presenters to return with concrete steps and dates to form a local task force.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Florence council approves cooperative contract for security and fire-alarm upgrades and purchases gateway device for station alerting

Florence council adopts $98.5 million tentative budget, sets hearings and approves 10-year CIP plan

Greater Florence Chamber reports membership growth, new website and events

Florence hears First Things First briefing on childcare shortage; council asks for follow-up task force