It has been a privilege to represent the Cholla District on the Glendale City Council since 2014. During that time, I have supported eight consecutive budgets, however at the June 13 City Council meeting I voted ‘no’ on the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget.
While I do support much of what is in this budget, there are several reasons I could not vote ‘yes’.
A staggering $66 million of the city’s Fund Balance (essentially a savings account) is being expended on priorities that do not represent the interest of most Glendale residents. This spending spree is the primary reason I could not support the FY 23-24 budget.
Here is the breakdown of how your $66 million is being spent:
- City Hall: $49,653,860 Fund Balance
- City Hall: $5,672,000 Federal Covid Relief funds (ARPA)
The Downtown Campus/City Hall project total cost to taxpayers is currently a whopping $90 million. I have not spoken to a single resident that supports such a large investment in this project. After advocating since 2015 to give city hall some sorely needed attention and improve its appearance, I never imagined that the result would become a complete rebuild that consumes so much of our available funding.
While the VCP and sports fields are worthy projects, I cannot support that spending at a time when the city’s authority to bond for transportation projects has been exhausted. In addition, the city’s annual pavement management plan is underfunded this year by $13 million. My plea to the mayor and council to fully fund the transportation plan this fiscal year with cash on hand was met with a resounding no from the majority.
Although some are now taking credit for the economic good fortune Glendale is experiencing, it is mostly due to the vision, collaboration, and hard work of West Valley leadership decades ago. During the 1980s, the city strip annexed large swaths of land in the far West Valley to protect Luke Air Force Base from encroachment. This area has gradually been annexed into city limits as development occurs.
The commitment in 2005 to build Loop 303 was a huge catalyst for industrial development beginning in Goodyear and moving north into Glendale’s annexation area. Glendale currently has a surplus of Fund Balance, primarily due to one-time revenue collected as construction sales tax on industrial buildings in this area. This revenue surplus will not be replenished and should be primarily reserved for unforeseen events in the future.
The current policy for maintaining the city’s Fund Balance is 25% of operating revenues, which is about $77.5 million. A “Fund Balance Policy Discussion” has been placed on the June 27 agenda. I anticipate a push to reduce the Fund Balance policy from 25% to 18%. The current fund balance is approximately $144 million with a surplus of $66 million.
It is my opinion that good governance requires fiscal restraint.
This budget does not reflect my commitment to protect your tax dollars and make fiscally responsible decisions.
Editor’s note: Glendale Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff began her council term in December 2014.
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