El Mirage presents 2024 annual report; city manager says ARPA largely spent, highlights public safety and jobs growth

Crystal Dykes, city manager for the City of El Mirage, presented the 2024 annual report at the Feb. 4 City Council meeting and provided a brief update on the city's use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

"It is my pleasure to present the 2024 annual report," Dykes said, introducing a 20-page, full-color report the city released to highlight progress on council strategic priorities.

The report, Dykes told the council, bundles accomplishments across public safety, parks and recreation, human services, public works and economic development. Key points she cited included the Police Department earning its first-ever accreditation after a two-year process; the police answering more than 12,000 calls for assistance with crime rates dropping across categories; the fire department handling more than 4,500 calls with an average response time of about four-and-a-half minutes; and 16,000 attendees at signature events such as Winterfest and Fiesta de la Gente.

Dykes also summarized infrastructure and finance highlights included in the report. The city said it added 13 acres of parkland, launched a parks master planning process, and reported $117,900,000 as the FY2025 budget, which the city noted is about $3,000,000 less than the prior year. The Finance Department received the Government Finance Officers Association's distinguished budget award for the fifth consecutive year and the Financial Reporting Award for a 13th consecutive year, according to Dykes.

On ARPA funds, Dykes said El Mirage received $11,940,792 in two equal installments and has spent all but $1,000,000, which the city has already allocated. "We received $11,940,792 in ARPA funds that were distributed in two equal installments in 21/22. To date, we have spent all but $1,000,000 of that of those dollars, but that has been allocated," she said. Dykes listed major ARPA allocations: roughly $6,721,906 toward infrastructure and equipment (including the Northern Parkway Corridor, the library expansion and a Hohokam multi-use trail and communications upgrades); about $3,100,000 for public safety initiatives (Police Net team and retention programs for firefighters, paramedics and police officers); and just over $1,000,000 for community services (senior transit, grant writing, utility and rent assistance and senior meals). Dykes added the city has signed an agreement with Maricopa County for affordable housing tied to the remaining ARPA allocation.

Dykes framed the annual report as a transparency tool to show progress on council priorities and announced the full report is available on the city's website. She also noted other specific grant-funded efforts: installation of 41 car seats funded through a Governor's Office of Highway Safety grant, acquisition of a new fire engine with Community Development Block Grant support, and award of an Arizona Cyber Resilience Grant for IT resilience work.

Council members commended the presentation and asked that a more detailed public briefing on ARPA spending be scheduled; Dykes said she would return with a fuller presentation. The meeting continued with regular business after the report and briefings.

The annual report and the ARPA update together provide a snapshot of the city's priorities and near-term commitments, from safety and parks to ongoing infrastructure projects and housing agreements.