State Representatives Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez told the Florence Town Council on Sept. 2 that they obtained $770,000 in state funding for Florence public safety — $500,000 for the police department and $270,000 for the fire department — and urged town officials to work with their offices on project details.

Why it matters: Council members and town staff said the funds will support public-safety technology and other priorities the town raised with the legislators. Representative Martinez also described recent action she took in the state legislature related to the use of RICO (racketeering) funds and said related statutory language was included in budget legislation.

Martinez said she and Lopez worked together in the budget process to direct a majority of their district allocations toward Florence public safety. "If Casa Grande gets some, so do you," Martinez told council members, saying she represents residents across Florence. Representative Lopez said he matched Martinez’s proposed allocation for Florence police and encouraged the council to spend the money where it is needed.

Martinez also described a bill she sponsored, identifying it in the meeting as HB 2102 and saying it addressed the state's use of RICO funds. She said HB 2102 "sailed" through a public-safety committee and later encountered resistance in appropriations; Martinez said she sought a footnote in the budget that would prevent the state from reallocating RICO funds. She told the council that a drafting error in the enacted language removed a sunset year, leaving language that, in her words, prevents future diversion of those funds to other purposes. The council and staff did not take action on the statute during the meeting; Martinez offered to share the text with the chief of police and to meet with town staff about project details.

Council members thanked Martinez and Lopez and asked staff to coordinate with the legislators as projects are developed. Town Manager Bruce Waltz had introduced the item by saying the allocations were sought to advance the town's public safety technology.

No formal council action was required or taken on the funding itself during the meeting; the presentation functioned as an informational update and a pledge of legislative support.

"I am your humble servant," Martinez said, asking council members and residents to contact her office with local priorities. Representative Lopez said the district team will follow up with the town when projects are introduced for formal consideration.

The council did not vote on use of the money during the meeting; staff indicated they would work with the representatives and return to the council with project proposals for formal approval.