Queen Creek reviews $682.7 million manager'recommended budget, with majority for infrastructure and public safety

The Queen Creek Town Council heard a presentation of the town manager'recommended fiscal year 2025-26 budget at a budget session, where staff described a $682.7 million recommendation that concentrates more than half the total on infrastructure and advances proposed staffing increases for public safety.

Town Manager Bruce Gardner introduced the package, saying, "The budget total is recommended to be 682,700,000.0." Gardner and Chief Financial Officer Scott McCarty said the proposal is balanced "as required by state statute," while reflecting slower near-term revenue growth and a number of policy choices to protect long-term capacity.

The recommended budget and staff presentations

The recommended total includes municipal operating funds, utilities and capital projects; staff said roughly 52% of the total is dedicated to infrastructure, with transportation, public safety, and water and wastewater among the largest components. Scott McCarty, the town's chief financial officer, said the town took a conservative approach to new recurring spending because of several known uncertainties and longer-term commitments.

"In aggregate, all of these total $15,000,000. So in fiscal year 27, 28, or 2829, we're gonna be spending $15,000,000 more a year because of these 3 things," McCarty said, referring to planned future operating costs tied to police and fire facilities and dispatch.

Why the budget matters

Staff told the council the plan continues the council's recent tax-relief actions. The proposal reflects the council'approved property-tax freeze for a third consecutive year, and includes the full reduction from a tax the council repealed last year. Staff also emphasized the town's reserve and pension policies: a 25% operating reserve policy remains funded, and the budget includes ongoing contributions to pension reserves and other…