Votes at a glance: Fountain Hills adopts tentative FY2026 budget, approves court fee schedule and two special-district budgets

Fountain Hills town officials approved several budget- and fee-related items at the council meeting, including adoption of the tentative fiscal year 2026 town budget and an updated municipal court fee schedule. Two special taxing districts held hearings and approved tentative budgets.

The council adopted the tentative FY 2026 budget after a multi-step review process. Staff presentations said the tentative budget includes a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for town staff and the recalculated timing to implement a revised fire department command supplement beginning Jan. 1, 2026. In a roll-call vote the council adopted the tentative budget by a recorded 6-1 margin.

The municipal court presented an updated comprehensive fee schedule, described by the judge as largely consistent with similar jurisdictions. The council approved the updated schedule and authorized an annual or semiannual review mechanism; the roll call for that resolution was recorded as unanimous 7-0.

Two special-district hearings occurred earlier in the meeting. The Cottonwoods Maintenance District board held its hearing and approved a proposed FY 2026 budget of $15,605 with a tax levy applying to 58 parcels; the roll call recorded that item as approved 6-0. The Eagle Mountain Community Facilities District adopted a tentative FY 2026 budget and directed staff to publish the required notices; the board recorded the vote as 7-0 and indicated a likely recommendation to close the district in the coming year based on bond counsel advice.

Council members debated a separate proposal to increase the monthly stipend for council members and the annual stipend for the mayor; the matter prompted extensive public comment and multiple motions on timing and indexing. Council did not adopt a change to stipends during the meeting; members asked for continued work on the topic and placed related policy and travel-reimbursement items on a future agenda.

Public safety was a separate focus during budget discussion. Fire Department leadership urged the council to fund promotions to battalion chief and related backfill to allow Fountain Hills to participate in a regional automatic-aid agreement. Chief David Ott told the council that, once the budget is adopted and funding assured, he would move forward with promotions and administrative steps needed to join automatic aid.

What the votes mean - Tentative FY2026 town budget adopted (roll call 6-1). The tentative budget includes staff COLA of 2.5% as presented in staff materials and funding staged to begin certain fire command changes Jan. 1, 2026. - Municipal court fee schedule: adopted (7-0). Local fees collected under the schedule remain with the town where allowable under statute. - Cottonwoods Maintenance District tentative budget adopted (6-0). The budget covers landscaping, administration, supplies, contingency; the district levy was set to cover an estimated $11,606 with use of fund balance. - Eagle Mountain Community Facilities District tentative budget adopted (7-0). No new tax levy will be imposed; staff will post required public notices; counsel has advised likely closure of the district next year. - Council stipend proposal: discussed, not enacted. Council placed follow-up policy items on a future agenda, including travel-reimbursement policy and consideration of indexing stipends to CPI.

Next steps and follow-up: staff said they will finalize the budget document for public posting and proceed with statutorily required notices and publications for the adopted tentative budgets. The council asked staff to return with any required contract or grant approvals, and to place stipend-related policy items on a future agenda for more detailed consideration.