City Council Work Session - 12/09/2024

The City of Goodyear City Council Work Session on December 9, 2024, focused primarily on two key topics related to municipal operations and budgeting. First, the council reviewed a recommendation from the presiding judge regarding the suspension of the specialty problem-solving court project, which was initially aimed at addressing mental health, substance abuse, veterans, and homelessness through targeted court programs. The judge recommended suspending the project due to insufficient case numbers and current city resources adequately addressing these needs, noting that implementation would require a budget amendment with significant costs for additional staff. Council members expressed support for continuing to monitor the situation and leveraging existing intergovernmental agreements for veteran services. Second, the council discussed a refunding strategy for fiscal year 2026 to use approximately $37 million in one-time funds to pay off callable debt early, thereby freeing up about $5 to $6 million annually in ongoing budget resources. The strategy aims to reduce interest costs and align with fiscal policies by avoiding the use of one-time funds for ongoing expenses. Council members showed strong support for this approach, emphasizing fiscal conservatism and the potential to avoid tax increases. No formal vote was recorded, but there was consensus to proceed with further financial analysis and incorporate the strategy into the upcoming budget process.