Queen Creek council looks back on 2024 accomplishments
Town of Queen Creek
Queen Creek’s state of the town program hosted by Mayor Julia Wheatley and the town council took place Tuesday at the new Recreation & Aquatic Center set to open on March. 29.
The soon-to-be-opened Recreation & Aquatic Center was the site of the Queen Creek Town Council’s annual state of the town address.
Mayor Julia Wheatley and councilors were joined on Tuesday by town department heads to reflect on the accomplishments of 2024 and look forward to 2025.
“We have another vision coming to reality — the opening of the Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center on March 29,” Wheatley said. “I cannot wait for this beautiful facility to be the hub for family and friends to gather, recreate and stay active.”
Public safety, quality of life, infrastructure, effective government and securing the town’s future were the themes of the evening.
Wheatley began the program by discussing a topic that is near to her heart — the town’s youth.
Among the highlights of the town’s efforts to connect with youth was the establishment of the Queen Creek Police Department’s cadet program, launching LINK QC to offer free, safe get-togethers for teens, and holding the Teens Voices summit.
“One of the most exciting accomplishments of 2024, (was) the development of the Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee,” Wheatley said. “We had 34 outstanding interest forms submitted and had the extremely difficult task of narrowing it down to just 13 committee members. I am so impressed with the passion these individuals have for one another and the community.”
Council Member Dawn Oliphant lauded the town’s safety and emergency services for helping to make Queen Creek a safe community.
Some highlights for the Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department in 2024 included:
Launching the community 411 program, where trained volunteers check smoke alarms and car seats.
Teaching more than 1,500 high school students hands-only CPR.
Placing three new ambulances into service, with transports up 15%.
Installing automated external defibrillators at all town parks.
QCPD Chief Randy Brice then took the stage to tout his department’s accomplishments.
“In 2024, we initiated or responded to more than 40,000 calls for service, a 25% increase from 2023, including a 56% increase in traffic-related enforcement and a 74% increase in crime prevention activity,” Brice said.
Last year, QCPD also launched a program that sends automated text messages, emails, and other updates after a 911 or non-emergency call is placed.
The town often prides itself on its fiscal responsibility.
“We lowered the property tax rate again with an annual cumulative savings to taxpayers of $1.7 million, continued the replenishment district policy with an annual cumulative savings to taxpayers of $9.2 million, and we eliminated the town center sales tax,” Council Member Travis Padilla said while discussing effective government.
As part of the town’s growth, Queen Creek Development Services Director Brett Burningham told the audience the town issued nearly 1,600 single-family residential home permits, permitted an estimated $1.4 billion in construction value, and reviewed 285 business licenses.
Council Member Robin Benning discussed the importance of securing the town’s future, especially as it relates to water.
Benning said the town used nearly 4,200 acre-feet of renewable non-groundwater supplies to offset groundwater pumping last year. It also received a preliminary allocation of 45,000 acre-feet of surface water through its participation in the Bartlett Dam Improvement Feasibility Study.
Environmental and Fleet Operations Manager Ramona Simpson praised the town’s recycling efforts. Last year, residents diverted nearly 74 tons of recyclable materials from landfills and nearly 6 tons of hazardous materials. In 2024, the town launched its glass recycling pilot program, diverting more than 29 tons of glass.
Council Member Jeff Brown highlighted transportation improvements. Several projects were designed in 2024, with construction set to start this year. They include Chandler Heights Road from Via del Arroyo to Hawes Road, Power Road from Chandler Heights to Riggs roads and Crismon Road from Cloud to Riggs roads.
With parks and other recreational sites, the Queen Creek Wash Trail extension from Crismon to Rittenhouse roads opened last year, as well as the 85-acre Frontier Family Park at Signal Butte and Queen Creek roads. The 13-acre expansion of Mansel Carter Oasis Park was also completed.
For the future, the council purchased property for two additional park sites, one near Meridian and Pima and the other near Meridian and the Queen Creek Wash, that will be considered in the upcoming Parks & Recreation Master Plan update, said Parks & Recreation Director Adam Robinson.
“When it comes to quality lifestyle, it’s also important to have opportunities to shop, dine and discover,” said Council Member Bryan McClure. “In 2024, we approved a mixed-use development that will be located at the northeast corner of Ocotillo and Ellsworth Loop.”
Economic Development Director Doreen Cott said with tourism being a major economic driver in Queen Creek, the town has become a designated marketing organization for tourism and is working on several initiatives with the state including agritainment.
Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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