Residents urge council to press state on school funding; call for water conservation and package-theft vigilance

During the citizen comment period at the March 3 meeting, two Goodyear residents urged the council to take distinct actions: one asked the council to press Arizona legislators to increase support for public schools, and another urged broader water-conservation outreach and reported a recent package theft.

“Presently, that support is not as good as we would like,” resident Brian Murphy told the council, urging elected officials to contact state lawmakers and advocate for additional school funding and support. Murphy, introduced himself as a longtime Goodyear resident and as president of the West Valley Trail Alliance, noted that local school quality is an economic draw and cited district facilities funded by local bonds.

Later in the public-comment period, resident William Edmond encouraged the council to communicate water-saving practices to residents and described a package-theft incident. “I think that there should be an effort from this council to reach out to all the residents of Goodyear to save water,” Edmond said. He also recounted viewing video of a package theft near a neighbor’s home and said he would raise enforcement questions with the police chief after the meeting.

Councilmembers responded briefly to both speakers. The mayor and other members acknowledged the importance of school support and noted past involvement with bond campaigns and superintendent outreach. On water, a councilmember pointed to a recent council water work session and said conservation is a top priority for the city; Edmond was directed to speak with the police chief about the theft report.

Ending: Citizens’ remarks were recorded during the non-agenda citizen comment portion and no formal council action was taken on either request at the meeting.