March 26, 2023 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Chandler may pay off cop-fire pension debt BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
Dawn Lang, Chandler’s deputy city manager and chief financial officer, had just dropped what she clearly thought was a large number on the city council. Leading the discussion during the council’s second budget workshop, Lang indeed gave them a big number. Staff was suggesting the Council make a one-time payment of $70 million toward its Public Safety Personnel Retirement System debt. “I don’t see any jaws dropping,” Lang said. In fact, council members seemed to think the number was too small. “Is it a better value for us to add more to the $70 million — if we have it, that’s the first question — and just get this paid
off much sooner?” Vice Mayor Matt Orlando asked. Lang’s answer was a definitive yes. There are two types of dollars in the city’s budget. There is ongoing, which are the funds needed every year to keep things running and there is a stable income to support. Then there are the one-time funds, which the city sees with the peaks and valleys of the local economy. The city would use one-time funds, which it has plenty of right now, to pay down its PSPRS debt. By doing so, it would free up the money that it’s been using to pay that off for ongoing expenses. Which means the city could expand services and give raises to staff. Entering this fiscal year, Chandler owed
If Chandler opted to pay down its entire police and fire pension liability, it would then only be responsible for an estimated $2 million a year to keep the fund current. (City of Chandler)
$136.5 million toward its PSPRS debt. The city started the year with a one-time payment of $50 million in July, knocking the debt down to around $86.5 million. Lang had proposed a $70 million payment this year, and then $10 million next year.
She hoped that would essentially pay off the debt, leaving the city with only the approximate $2 million a year it needs to pay to keep the pension fund for police and firefigthters current. See
DEBTon Page 4
Actor saves the day for his Chandler alma mater BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
Casey Likes should be well past any stage fright at this point of his career. However, a sudden return earlier this month to the stage that launched his career made him a little nervous. “I might have had a moment with a trash can,” he said. “I had to relieve myself of my nerves.” That’s an unexpected reaction from the star of “Almost Famous” during its first Broadway run and the man who was just announced to be cast as Marty Mc-
Fly in the Broadway debut of “Back to the Future, the Musical.” Also the man who portrays KISS bassist Gene Simmons in “Spinning Gold,” a new movie scheduled for release at the end of this month. But Casey’s return to the Chandler Center for the Arts stage to perform in the Chandler High play was unscheduled. He had attended the Chandler High production of “Anastasia” on March 3. His mother, Stephanie Likes, is theater director at the school, where he graduated See
ACTOR on Page 6
Casey Likes, a 2020 Chandler High School alumnus and star of the Broadway version of “Almost Famous,” works with his younger siste Claire, a Chandler High freshman, as he conducts a workshop at his former school, . (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
Drones might deliver medicine to Chandler center BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
Chandler is building on its “City of Innovation” motto by serving as the testing ground for a pilot program that will see a drone fly medical supplies from a local pharmaceutical company to a senior living center.
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“I think that’s why we think this is a good step, to really crawl before we walk when it comes to drone flights in the community,” said Ryan Kaup, the city’s economic development specialist. The agreement is part of the Maricopa Association of Government’s (MAG) Emerging Technologies Pilot Program.
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Omnicare, a pharmaceutical distributor located on Galveston Street east of 56th Street, west Chandler, will use a drone, also called an Un-Crewed Aircraft system, to carry supplies a little more than a mile to Sunrise of Chandler, an assisted living facility on Chandler Boulevard, just east of Kyrene Road. The drone's’ actual route has not be determined because the operator is awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Most of the space between the two companies is occupied by businesses and there are very few residential areas in that space. “Drone delivery is steadily increasing across the country as both the technology matures and rules and regulations from the FAA establish a clear framework for operations,” wrote Chris Mitton, a director of business development
F E AT U R E D STO R I E S Mesnard leads move on state debt limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Chandler gets fourth trampoline center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Chandler kids present 'Secret Garden' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 28 Chandler Symphony slates last concert of season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 36
See
DRONES on Page 5
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Kids Camp . . . . . .21 Real Estate . . . . . 22 Business . . . . . . . 24 Neighbors . . . . . 28 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 34 GetOut. . . . . . . . 36 Classifieds . . . . . 38