Mary Wykofsky told the Human Services Advisory Commission that staff will draft a memo to City Council proposing an update to the city ordinance to raise Scottsdale Cares utility-bill donations from $1 to $2.

Wykofsky said staff will coordinate with administrative services to ensure residents can be notified and that she intends to return to the commission for approval before the proposal goes to mayor and council. She said staff hopes to bring the proposal to council in January or February 2026 and that the commission will see the memo and discuss the matter prior to that step.

Commissioners discussed outreach and technical aspects. One commissioner asked whether the online bill-pay system allows residents to opt in; staff said she would follow up with the administrative services contact to confirm current online options. Another commissioner urged more visible communication to show where Scottsdale Cares funds are used.

Wykofsky provided an estimate of fiscal impact discussed by commissioners: currently the program raises about $160,000 a year; increasing the donation to $2 would yield about $320,000 annually assuming the same opt-in rate. Commissioners urged timely coordination with city leadership so momentum from the commission’s subcommittee is not lost.

Wykofsky said she will bring the item back to the commission for approval before sending it to City Council and will coordinate on resident notification if council advances the ordinance.