Title
Recommended Ballot Proposition for Fall 2024 Election
Description
Request City Council to approve recommendations from the 2024 Expenditure Limit Task Force for a Local Alternative Spending Limit (also known as a Home Rule Option) be presented to voters on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
The Task Force's recommended Home Rule Option would ask Phoenix voters to continue setting the annual spending limit equal to the annual budget. This alternative has been in place since 1999. This would allow Phoenix residents to continue to control local expenditures through the annual budget process, rather than default to a state-imposed formula.
Members of the 2024 Expenditure Limit Task Force included:
- Chairperson Monica Villalobos, President and CEO, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;
- Rachel Aja, Director of Government Affairs, Cox Communications;
- Todd Sanders, President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Chamber; and
- Bryan Willingham, Fire Captain, Phoenix Fire Department; President, United Phoenix Firefighters Association Local 493.
The Task Force report, recommended ballot language, publicity pamphlet options, and information on the State Expenditure Limit are provided in Attachment A to this report.
Recommendation
The 2024 Expenditure Limit Task Force recommends referral to the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot of a local alternative expenditure limitation, that sets the limit equal to the annually adopted balanced budget after the Mayor and Council have publicly reviewed the budget. This limit will be in effect for four fiscal years beginning in 2025-26 through 2028-29.
With the Mayor and Council’s approval, staff will prepare the necessary items to place this local alternative expenditure limitation on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot.
Additionally, staff requests City Council to authorize the City Manager to set the dates of two public hearings required prior to placing a Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot. The two hearings would be set at the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. (Formal Council Meeting)
- Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. (Formal Council Meeting)
Immediately following the second public hearing on May 15, 2024, the Council will convene in a special session to consider adoption of the proposition for the ballot.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The 2024 Expenditure Limit Task Force approved recommending to City Council a Local Alternative Spending Limit also known as a Home Rule Option on March 14, 2024.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Budget and Research Department.