[{"_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",6211248,"mediaKeyId","3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230","parentId",3698446,"title","Council approves dispatch furniture, enterprise storage, compensation updates and road contract","audioSeconds",319,"startMs",3894000,"endMs",4213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230&start=3894&end=4213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230/thumbnail_3894000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211248/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Council-approves-dispatch-furniture-enterprise-storage-compensation-updates-and-road-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211248-7321f674d912b8e70326c0444adab02b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773788189&Signature=XgE5y40ODh4AyrM9iMXo2CmRs9BxqkyTzyLVthyr-FFW62nuvfg9wsc0ixe4xK8iv3RPqDfzjarZO-Kk-J2bpnVHEldu0Ue0pj7RV3jk~k-VCcKieT6poXxIyVfaUH4H9nDoF7lfJbihViyOjUN2X9Ob0n7xaBgfVZvSsqyKfmDenvvPUTX5dbtKDh08HmxyjaDr2Z5S2CVkAkzuDywBolTx3H3Nd-TuWCLxVaPh9fSQNX8BpNnF4UfSAN1rwrBO2v3foMdf-PqC1~PsvyrdAJrLE2hDlqen-6efw9Y509luaUXDDGMWBjhhV7mWTF20UJ-IfbQzwt27ZJWXDjbh5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Florence, AZ ","date","2025-06-05T22:55:50Z","article","The Florence Town Council approved several operational purchases, a staffing plan update and a cooperative use road contract during the meeting.

Purchases and staffing: The council approved the purchase of furniture for the dispatch center from Interior Solutions not to exceed $128,290.40. Council also approved purchase of an HPE Alletra 5500 adaptive flash array configured for enterprise data storage from SHI International for an amount not to exceed $106,700. Separately, the council adopted Resolution No. 1932-25, which modifies the town's classification and compensation plan pay ranges for FY26 and authorizes the addition of three full-time positions effective July 1, 2025.

Road contract: Council approved a cooperative use contract with Cactus Asphalt using Pinal County job order contract 234128ROQ to complete two capital improvement projects (T116 and T69) in an amount not to exceed $1,337,393.13. Staff earlier in the meeting referenced a near-identical figure ($1,337,402.13) while describing the procurement; the council motion adopted the $1,337,393.13 figure on the record.

Why this matters: The dispatch furniture and storage purchases support public safety and town IT operations; the compensation plan changes formalize new positions and pay ranges; the road contract funds capital pavement projects reported as high priority by staff and council.

Details from the record: The chief and department directors answered questions; council members thanked staff for moving long-awaited road projects forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved purchases for the dispatch center and data storage, adopted pay-range modifications that add three full-time positions, and authorized a cooperative contract with Cactus Asphalt for two capital road projects.","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},6211253,"Board approves variance for Desert Rock Church private school building at 9230 W. Franklin Road",150,3005000,3155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230&start=3005&end=3155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230/thumbnail_3005000.jpg","/articles/6211253/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Board-approves-variance-for-Desert-Rock-Church-private-school-building-at-9230-W-Franklin-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211253-096fd9f3138844010f8a0f4389ed5f26/orig.mp4?Expires=1773788189&Signature=cmyI2sHmCUpSMtN8MBTgSleLrkVM2bM6dx8es~mBJuGJgEHnS3G7cAM1-SG96PFlBJO2ih7NSAGbuKMfUx5xAfeenhgMb0gw6Jdq~WVv2-za2Xkq1DGTwYyzOt4OfkKdnrLdyuvHYL4GZRy-TVmHYydl~pK8Cl4ZQUo1kX2RiugJxSN8hFpYe3efsREunGRXjdvgKYiJtMUhngdRn0IPermXmN6UWdWmSmBe3goshKonQT9LuSRUTWu~OcdFjn3rsSf7xy4jxV7M0fe9e3APkGQNvheOtgPkL4DFrf-B7~Mky9Msa5M7UoXptZ5g9YkXyaAYPcVOKSY1IVeGXH--RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Adjustments approved a variance requested by Desert Rock Church to allow a school building addition at 9230 West Franklin Road to encroach within the required side-yard setback for the single-family Ranchette (R1R) zone.

Planning staff described the project as an addition to serve a recently approved conditional use permit for a private school. The addition would be as close as 10 feet to the side property line; the R1R standard requires a 25-foot side setback. Staff noted the applicant proposed the location to provide better drop-off and pick-up access for the private school. No public speakers addressed the hearing.

Action and conditions: The board moved to approve the variance with the stipulations set forth in the staff report and by the board. Council recorded the motion, second and a unanimous vote in favor.

Why this matters: The variance allows the church's private school to expand with a building sited for operational access; it modifies dimensional zoning requirements for a parcel in a residential zoning category and was approved by the board of adjustments with conditions.

Details from the record: Planning staff Maricela Benitez presented the request and explained the requested 15-foot reduction in the side setback to 10 feet to support circulation and drop-off operations.","The Board of Adjustments granted a variance allowing a school building addition to sit as close as 10 feet from the side property line where R1R zoning requires 25 feet; the variance was sought to improve drop-off and pick-up access.",{"_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},6211258,"Matthew J. Thomas sworn in as Florence police chief at public ceremony",135,571000,706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230&start=571&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6211258/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Matthew-J-Thomas-sworn-in-as-Florence-police-chief-at-public-ceremony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211258-127c3a3bbe180e33f12a478234638c02/orig.mp4?Expires=1773788189&Signature=Fcj7Xd5x7z1tdK-EJmZ91ZqoJYuO6xOO1HgHVbPQXdNLzfz9OCyYaqKC~aZVK2HIPPTpaYb7CzjU0tJxz619YxWIURuusHE5LG74ZLuJpwcFMLTHobCdllK8iQAShJ-YpwLTYhQSSGezNzn9sqoSQIPYmpN3WNF9V8TH2omwhJWE~CobDSmMNIfgM6ushgTY8RyeYqyE-xagpNfeaYDff5LL31WmPaUlMmbCERPs-mvE9rtVN6dm-YwEh0OCeIzF~QuTzWu5PDqfbcV57U22UYdv972Vlb5mV08UaT2bXJuSWytkitR5lN3wZnVrB3Py7bqQ65fhs29x8qLqA2B5Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Florence formally swore in and pinned Matthew J. Thomas as its new police chief during a public ceremony at the council meeting.

Chief Thomas thanked the council, staff and his family and said he felt \"exactly where I was supposed to be.\" He said he left a prior agency with mentors who taught him and that he is \"very proud to be here\" and honored to serve the town and its residents. He referenced the difficult time for law enforcement after a recent officer shooting in Apache Junction and said he looked forward to serving alongside Florence's officers.

Arizona House Representative Chris Lopez (recorded in the meeting as Representative Martinez/Lopez on letterhead) presented a certificate of congratulations recognizing Thomas's swearing-in and thanking him for his public service. Council members and staff posed for photographs with the new chief following the ceremony.

Why this matters: The swearing-in is a ceremonial but public transition in leadership for the town's police department. Chief Thomas noted community and departmental support and committed to serve Florence residents.

Details from the record: Thomas said he was three weeks into the position at the time of his comments and repeatedly expressed enthusiasm and gratitude.","The Town of Florence held a ceremonial swearing-in and pinning for Matthew J. Thomas as its new police chief; Thomas spoke briefly and received a certificate of congratulations from a state representative.",{"_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},6211263,"Merrill Ranch CFDs adopt levies and budgets covering debt service and operations",253,3223000,3476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230&start=3223&end=3476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230/thumbnail_3223000.jpg","/articles/6211263/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Merrill-Ranch-CFDs-adopt-levies-and-budgets-covering-debt-service-and-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211263-4efbb05b304f467435df7094fc3df898/orig.mp4?Expires=1773788189&Signature=mojI9pSQczh1acVt0hMzBEPjtiqbr2X4aciACjfjp02M1Ib2Jf1KJVIYrrQYFP4b4NhPs5VaNW58vbY8-dyiSKZElWkEbvj4wIjxACQM~zbR3kGbh0rHzpeay~bTSb~N4hUg498NpQm8vnjVQPcfhUOhrmBzVo7iJunYs4xvMvwVi9K4Iz1D2IE8NE9dbDajrC0zStYNyNmqmvQAtAZC13JYf3VRnc-Jnx29zOMxOj0HnX53oa55WnMci9r6vXoz~EAPvkP3nj1-KdXK33S3xCP2DbIwHnP42-L8KXddNsl58gvKVUjtGIGfKfNc4nxjxpCLTpgZtvxRgJ0kC6itIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Florence governing body, acting in its capacity for Merrill Ranch Community Facilities District No. 1 and No. 2, held public hearings and adopted the budgets and levies that fund debt service, capital improvements and district administration.

Merrill Ranch CFD No. 1: Finance Director Carl Dunning reported a required debt service levy of $2.25 per $100 of net assessed value and an administrative levy of $0.30, producing a combined levy of $2.55 per $100 that will generate an estimated $1,426,768.27. The final budget for CFD No. 1 was set at $8,535,539.

Merrill Ranch CFD No. 2: Dunning reported a combined levy of $2.971 per $100 of net assessed value (debt service $2.671 plus admin $0.30), estimated to generate $1,244,274.75 for FY26. Council moved and approved the budget resolution for CFD No. 2.

Why this matters: The CFD levies are separate secondary property taxes that pay for infrastructure and debt service tied to the Merrill Ranch developments. The council held the required public hearings and noted written correspondence from Florence Copper was entered into the record for CFD No. 1.

Action: Council voted to adopt the budgets and the levy ordinances (first reading/public hearing and subsequent adoption motions were taken on record).","The board adopted budgets and levies for Merrill Ranch Community Facilities Districts (CFD) 1 and 2, approving combined levy rates and the FY26 budgets for each district.",{"_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},6211267,"Florence council adopts $98.5 million FY26 budget; primary property tax rate set at $1.0289 per $100",1777,1152000,2929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230&start=1152&end=2929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3698446-f9e3f412895a02be06f441809c054230/thumbnail_1152000.jpg","/articles/6211267/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Florence-council-adopts-985-million-FY26-budget-primary-property-tax-rate-set-at-10289-per-100","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211267-830ed5da1fbf2f422febeb4d0ffb376d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773788189&Signature=Qd9j6vAk4N081OxMDki-G77xvQGeU8lRfwSsZY-cgprvVzp~L8AYeBcwPxPQ9MLDW4wzeFkR2dZitwec1fqYeelt8vE0HkI0lhWesy3s6~YXhcl2eKgs~ImRja40A-qEgNOmOQeBaIVSR1I59FC3DqluXgVxGokB2ghVefWnRNVg9gL-GNFsGNLxKGFMZeaSqh8JL05EH~0~4zr8VazKhTg2id~tTn-0ln2vxaF9ztAnCLMU34sWtjVuN1Bp1VD0VIb72I1GaAvy-VnJQ-QMJHVUCiVsB2pVfbXcDsW94gl832DngpKCEUYVXQVUtenLP0fJlpaAT1HBTqE~NfChfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a special meeting, the Florence Town Council approved Resolution No. 1930-25 adopting the town's fiscal year 2025'26 budget and accompanying expenditure limitation.

The action adopts a final budget of $98,533,498 and an expenditure limitation of $61,829,644, Finance Director Carl Dunning said during the public hearing process. Dunning told the council the town's primary property tax levy rate for FY26 was proposed at $1.0289 per $100 of net assessed value; that rate would generate $1,683,788 and represents a $61,084 (3.95%) increase in revenues excluding new construction. He said the tax on a $100,000 home would be $102.89, an increase of $3.91 from the prior year.

Why this matters: The town's primary property tax goes directly into the general fund and pays for day-to-day operations across police, fire, 9-1-1 communications, community development and administration. Dunning said primary property tax revenue makes up roughly 7% of the general fund.

Key actions and votes: Council moved to adopt Resolution No. 1930-25 and voted to approve the budget during the special meeting; the motion carried with all council members voting in the affirmative.

Background and next steps: Council held public hearings on the town's primary levy and on the draft budget during the meeting and had previously discussed levy options at a budget work session. Dunning said the council must advertise the highest possible levy rate but retains discretion to set a lower final rate on second reading. The council noted the item would return for ordinance action on the advertised levies at a subsequent meeting.

Details from the record: The tentative budget was adopted May 6 and was posted for public review at Town Hall, the public library and Fire Station 2, and on the town website as required by law. The council thanked staff and the budget committee for several months of work compiling the book and preparing for the hearings.","The Florence Town Council approved Resolution No. 1930-25 adopting the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and maintained a primary property tax levy of $1.0289 per $100 of assessed value, with the council voting to return for a final ordinance hearing on related levies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves dispatch furniture, enterprise storage, compensation updates and road contract

Board approves variance for Desert Rock Church private school building at 9230 W. Franklin Road

Matthew J. Thomas sworn in as Florence police chief at public ceremony

Merrill Ranch CFDs adopt levies and budgets covering debt service and operations

Florence council adopts $98.5 million FY26 budget; primary property tax rate set at $1.0289 per $100