$818M tentative budget approved by Goodyear City Council

The city of Goodyear is slated to approve a nearly $818.1 million budget for fiscal year 2024-25, up $322.5 million over the city manager’s recommended budget.

Council voted unanimously at a regular meeting on May 20 to approve a resolution adopting the tentative budget for 2024-25 and setting the final adoption at a meeting on June 10.

According to the city, the budget includes no “tax rate” increases, maintains existing service levels, and demonstrates a commitment to investing in employees.

New and ongoing capital projects are programmed to maintain and expand critical assets and infrastructure within the city. These include carryovers of capital projects totaling $214.2 million.

Operations, at $345.5 million, covers most of the budget and deals with the city's day-to-day activities. Operations can include recurring expenses such as personnel, utilities, supplies, contractual services, routine maintenance, and repairs.

Capital improvement plan or CIP is at $273.7 million which is defined as projects $500,000 or greater.

A proposed four-lane widening of Camelback Road in North Goodyear.

City of Goodyear public record

The amount includee $30.5 million to widen and enhance Camelback Road between 152nd Avenue West and Loop 303.

According to Goodyear officials in a work session in September, the widening of Camelback to four lanes between 152nd Avenue and Loop 303, up from its current two would cost $25 million.

The CIP also earmarked $12 million for an Estrella Bridge expansion design.

Current Google Earth view of Estrella Parkway Bridge.

Google Earth

Goodyear City Council discussed a proposed widening of Estrella Parkway Bridge during a work session in September.

According to Goodyear officials, the project sought an initial widening to four lanes, however, assessments by the transportation staff suggest a six-lane widening would be recommended because of rapid growth in southern Goodyear.

Chris Bridges, transportation planning manager for Goodyear, said expanding the project from four lanes to six would increase the cost by 41% from $67 million making the total cost of the expansion $95 million.

Construction on the expansion could begin near the fall of 2025, with a construction timeframe of about two years. Goodyear staff also said the expansion might be necessary by 2033, according to a consultant analyzing a Maricopa Association of Governments master transportation plan in a September work session.

Outgoing Goodyear Councilmember Bill Stipp currently serves as a committee member of the transportation policy committee for MAG.

The CIP includes Rainbow Valley Water Reclamation Plant Design and Expansion earmarked for $45 million.

Truth in taxation

For taxes, primary property tax rates decreased slightly, with the net money levied increasing from either property appreciation or expansion.

Secondary property tax rates increased for the second year in a row. These rates specifically fund bond issues, budget overrides, and special district funding, according to the Arizona State Board of Equalization.

The combined tax rate remains the same.

Voters in Goodyear passed three bond measures last year: $135 million for street and transportation, $80 million for public safety projects, and $17 million for parks and recreation.