By Berdetta Hodge, Tempe City Council Member | Guest Commentary
Developing a budget is easily one of the most important exercises for an elected official such as myself.
On June 15, at one of our final Tempe City Council meetings prior to the summer recess, my council colleagues and I approved the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget, which amounts to more than $1.4 billion.
This was a huge accomplishment. As any person knows, budgeting is not easy. Now, please take a moment and imagine budgeting for over 185,000 people!
The total operating budget for FY 2023-24 is $727.1 million. The capital projects fund for FY 2023-34, which is designated to maintain or improve the city’s infrastructure, is $621.5 million.
Residents had plenty of opportunities to provide input and participate in this process.
For nearly a year, you all provided us with feedback on what you sought funding for. I am proud to say, “We heard you!”
In the FY 2023-24 budget, our city has committed itself, through its budget, to creating one of the most livable and fiscally responsible communities in the United States.
Here are a few of “Berdetta’s Budget Bits”:
Funding a Park Ranger program for the City of Tempe;
Establishing a permanent funding source for Tempe PRE, our award-winning preschool program;
Hiring more staff to answer the CARE 7 and HOPE lines and assist vulnerable and unsheltered residents;
Making continued Refresh Tempe investments in streets, sidewalks, community facilities, parks, and Downtown Tempe and more!
Municipal Budget Office Director Mark Day and his staff created a 2023-2024 “Budget in Brief” guide to ensure that residents understand the budget process. You can access this document here.
The door to my office in Tempe City Hall is always open. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns at 480-350-8748 or email me at berdetta_hodge@tempe.gov.
