Title
Recommendation to Begin Quadrennial Review of the Home Rule Option
Description
This report recommends the Mayor and City Council appoint an Expenditure Limit Task Force and initiate the quadrennial review process to carefully study the State Expenditure Limit effect on the City. The Task Force will recommend a proposal for placement on the ballot for the November 2024 regular election.
Report
Summary
In 1980, Arizona voters approved a constitutional amendment limiting local government spending to 1979-80 amounts adjusted for annual growth in population and inflation. This constitutional amendment included provisions for obtaining voter approval to exceed those limits. Since 1980, Phoenix has had ten home rule options approved by the voters.
Each of the City's prior home rule options have been thoroughly studied and recommended by citizen task forces. The City's current home rule option will expire on June 30, 2025. A proposal must be presented to the voters in the regular election on Nov. 5, 2024, in order to be in place by July 1, 2025. Additional information regarding the expenditure limit is attached to this report in Attachments A-C.
Recommendation
Staff recommends a Task Force be appointed and charged with reviewing the revenue and expenditure forecasts prepared by City staff, studying the potential effects of the constitutional limit, and recommending a proposal to the Mayor and City Council for referral to the ballot. Staff also recommends the following schedule for their work:
- November 2023 - Appointment of Task Force
- February/March 2024 - Task Force meetings
- April 2024 - Task Force presents findings to the City Council
- May 2024 - Two required public hearings
- May 2024 - Required analysis transmitted to the State Auditor General
- June 2024 - Adoption of the form of the ballot
- August 2024 - Publicity pamphlet materials prepared
- Nov. 5, 2024 - Election Day
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Budget and Research Department.