El Mirage unveils anniversary emblem and outlines yearlong 2026 celebration plans; $100,000 set aside in FY2026 budget

City staff presented an anniversary emblem and a high-level plan for yearlong recognition and a larger community weekend in fall 2026 at a task force meeting.

Staff described the emblem as a circular, single-color design using the city's established fonts and colors. According to the presentation, the light-blue background is a lighter tint of the city's branded blue to signify a clear sky, beige curving vertical lines at the bottom represent agricultural heritage, and a brown sun anchors the design to the city's name and icon. Staff said the round format was chosen for versatility across digital, print and merchandise uses, including pins, coins and badges. "The brand...is a promise of vigilance, service, and integrity," staff read from the communications team's guidance materials.

Staff said an internal team from Parks & Recreation and the Intergovernmental & Public Relations department reviewed 48 design iterations and recommended the circular emblem to highlight the milestone. The presentation notes that the emblem will be governed by brand integrity guidelines and used across marketing, signage and merchandise.

On funding, staff said the FY2026 budget recently adopted by city council included a $100,000 allocation for anniversary activities. Staff described planned uses at a high level — performance contracts, promotional materials, inflatables and carnival elements, artist commissions or mural installations, street pole banners, and other event costs — and said some FY2025 funds already paid for initial purchases. Staff emphasized that special events can rapidly consume funds and that the FY2026 allocation will be used for contracts and early procurement, with additional FY2027 recommendations to follow as costs are refined.

Event concepts presented by staff include a yearlong marketing and PR campaign with historical videos and resident interviews, public-art installations such as murals or life-sized lettering for photos, increased presence at signature events (Public Safety Day, Spring Fair) and a three-day fall "fiesta" in mid-to-late October featuring music, carnival elements, a larger headline performance and a potential drone show. Staff said the task force, city council and staff will need to decide where to host a larger outdoor event; Bill Gentry Park is a traditional host site but has space limits for large carnival infrastructure.

Staff described a broader steering team meeting monthly that includes communications, IPR, public safety, public works and Parks & Recreation staff. Communications staff will lead historical-photos collection and suggested a contest or soliciting images from long-time residents to build a retrospective. No formal votes were taken at the task force meeting.