Sun City West presents FY 2025–26 budget proposal with $28 dues increase, $5.5M in capital projects

Sun City West General Manager Steven Erno presented a proposed FY 2025–26 budget to residents, saying the plan balances operating needs, wages and an anticipated capital program while preserving the community's long-term reserve fund. "It's fantastic to see such a great crowd," Erno told members at the public meeting, then outlined a strategic plan and the budget process that produced the proposal.

The proposal would raise annual member dues by $28 (a 4.9% increase), increase the Association Processing Fee (APF) by $200 (management is assuming about 1,100 title transfers), and budget a 4% pool for salaries and wages and taxes effective Jan. 1, 2026. Cliff Swan, chief financial officer, said the 4% wage amount is a pool intended to address cost-of-living, minimum-wage changes and merit increases for select employees. "Labor is our basic biggest expense," Swan said, adding that labor accounts for roughly 64% of the association's expense structure.

Why it matters: Sun City West is a large, amenity-heavy planned community whose operations depend on member dues, APF receipts and earned revenue (notably golf). The governing staff framed the proposal as a way both to maintain service levels across four recreation centers and seven golf courses and to fund a multi-year capital plan that includes irrigation work, equipment replacement and a major bowling-center upgrade.

Budget and revenue highlights: The operating plan assumes a balanced budget with a 4% overall increase in expenses. Key figures presented by staff include about 26,000 owner members, 1,100 associate members and roughly 1,700 tenant/landlord members; approximately 490 employees (about 200…