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Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
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Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Holland Center wins Spirit of Scottsdale award BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
T NEWS.................. 7
Abrazo recognizes National Doctors’ Day
he Holland Community Center was presented the Spirit of Scottsdale award by Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega at a celebration at Scottsdale City Hall March 21. The award recognizes one organization each year that helps strengthen and build Scottsdale’s community through their commitment to and involvement in neighborhoods. “A lot of people earned this award,” said Jennifer Rosvall, executive director of The
see HOLLAND CENTER page 4
BUSINESS.......... 16
Valley Homewatch earns accreditation
FEATURES......... 21
Museum to feature ‘Story of the Unknown Solider’
OPINION.................... 10 BUSINESS.................. 16 FEATURES................. 17 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone 2
During a celebration at the Scottsdale City Hall on March 21, Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega presented the Spirit of Scottsdale award to the Holland Community Center for its dedication to its local neighborhoods. (Holland Center/Submitted)
Grim reality hangs over city budget talk BY PAUL MARYNIAK Foothills Focus Staff Writer
A
nthem residents will have their chance on Thursday, April 6, to weigh in on Phoenix’s 2023-24 spending plan, which focuses millions on soaring homelessness and raises for most city employees. To comment on the budget in person, residents can appear at 8:30 a.m. at the Cholla Library, 10050 N. Metro Parkway East. And if they can’t make it, they can file comments at phoenix.gov/budget/contact-us or email budget.research@phoenix.gov. More information on the spending plan for the fiscal
year beginning July 1 is at phoenix.gov/budget/ hearings. The 2023-24 General Fund trial budget for Phoenix — a precursor to a proposed budget that will be presented to City Council May 2 with an eye on final approval a few weeks later — totals $2.02 billion and includes a surplus of $134 million. Out of that $2.02 billion, the city administration is projecting just under $1.9 billion in actual expenditures — an increase of $109 million, or 6.1%, over current spending. It calls for spending 85% of the surplus — or $114 million — on raises for city employees “so we can provide the highest level of service ensur-
SHOP LOCAL AND SA
ing that the City’s most valuable assets are paid competitively and that can be AND filled SAVE • positions Replacement Windows SHOP LOCAL • SHOP New”Construction Windows AND SA with the best talent available, City LOCAL Manager Jeff • Replacement Multi-slideWindows - Bi-folding Doors • Bar Barton told the council•• in his budget message. • Construction Replacement Windows Windows • Inte • New Entry, French and Patio Doors SHOP LOCAL AND SAV SHOP LOCAL AND SAV •cover New -Construction Windows The surplus also would $14 million for • Multi-slide Bi-folding Doors • VEL • Replacement Windows •B • Multi-slide Bi-folding Doors • Entry, and Patio Doors • • Sec •French Replacement Windows • New Construction Windows •Ba I public safety and criminal justice expenditures • • Entry, French and Windows Patio New Construction • •In • Multi-Slide V - Bi-folding DoorsDoors as well as the addition of •overnight parks Entry, French and Patiopatrols Doors • Multi-slide - Bi-folding Doors • •VS • Se Entry, French and Patio Doors and increases in community•arts funding. Over half of that $14 million would be spent on “continuity of services for vulnerable populations,” mostly unsheltered people. The remaining $5 million in surplus funds would be parked in a rainy-day fund that Barton
see BUDGET page 6
SHOP LOCAL AND SAVE UP TO $1,500
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