City Council Work Session - 09/15/2025

The City of Goodyear held a City Council Work Session on September 15, 2025, focusing primarily on the fiscal year 2026 citywide IT strategic plan and a proposed Municipal Operations Complex (MOC). The IT strategic plan emphasized initiatives such as cybersecurity improvements, AI integration, staff development, and process optimization, with a focus on aligning IT projects with citywide goals. The council discussed budget prioritization and resource allocation for IT projects, including one-time funding requests for system recovery and integration tools. The MOC presentation outlined a three-phase, $200 million plan to consolidate various field operations, including solid waste and parks maintenance, into a centralized campus to improve efficiency and safety. Phase one alone was estimated at $93.5 million, with funding sources including the solid waste enterprise fund and general fund. Council members expressed concerns about the high costs and funding strategies, including potential bond measures and phased implementation. Additionally, the session covered the introduction of a storm water utility fee to replace general fund support, with proposed rates starting at $7 per month and gradually increasing to $9, aiming to fund growing storm water management costs. The council discussed rate impacts, equity between city areas, and the need for further data and public communication. No formal votes were taken, but the council provided direction to proceed with design efforts for the MOC and to prepare for upcoming discussions on storm water fees and capital improvement priorities.