Goodyear council calls 2026 candidate election, approves consent items and moves to executive session

The Goodyear City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Feb. 2 calling the city’s 2026 candidate election and approved several consent items and a motion to enter executive session.

Jasmine Pernicano, the city clerk, presented Resolution 20262509, which she described as providing official notice and formally calling the city’s candidate election. Pernicano said the city’s regular election is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2026, to elect the mayor and three council members to four-year terms, and that the city will coordinate with the Maricopa County Elections Department for the consolidated ballot. She told the council that Maricopa County charges the city $0.50 per registered voter for a consolidated election and that funding for those election services is included in the city manager’s recommended FY 2026–27 budget.

Pernicano outlined candidate and registration timelines: nomination papers must be filed between March 9 and April 6 by 5 p.m. to appear on the ballot; voter registration deadlines are by 11:59 p.m. on July 6 for the primary and by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 5 for the general election. She noted that legislation under consideration could move the primary election date and that an amendment proposed after the agenda was posted would move the primary to July 21, 2026; Pernicano said staff will comply with any legislative changes without requiring additional council action.

Councilmember Campbell asked for clarification on how a candidate could be declared elected outright; Pernicano described the majority calculation used to determine if a primary winner avoids a general election. After brief discussion, the council voted to adopt Resolution 20262509 by a unanimous vote of 7–0.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved consent agenda items 2–6 by a single motion and unanimous vote. The consent items included approval of a Series 11 hotel/motel liquor license for Holiday Inn & Suites; approval of a first amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Glendale for landfill disposal services; adoption of Resolution 20262506 authorizing participation in the Maricopa HOME Consortium and approving an amendment to that agreement; adoption of Resolution 20262507 approving declaration and reservation of an exclusive and perpetual access and facilities easement; and adoption of Resolution 20262508 authorizing submission of an Arizona Department of Homeland Security grant application for $244,100 to allow the Goodyear Fire Department to purchase two advanced metering kits and accessories, and authorizing a budget transfer if the grant is awarded.

Toward the end of the meeting the council voted 7–0 to call an executive session under Arizona Revised Statutes for discussion or consultation regarding the appointment of an interim city manager. The council announced the next regular meeting for Feb. 9, 2026.

City clerk Pernicano concluded the election presentation by saying, “staff's recommendation is to adopt the resolution tonight, providing notice and calling for the 2026 election.”