Queen Creek’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be considered by the town council for tentative approval at its Wednesday, May 3 meeting.

The final budget approval is scheduled for the council’s Wednesday, May 17 meeting. The budget is available for review on the town’s website.

According to a press release, the fiscal year 2023-24 budget totals $867.1 million. Nearly 70% of the budget is for capital infrastructure investments, with $87.8 million to continue progress related to transportation improvements; $170.9 million for parks and trails infrastructure; $168.1 million for water resources; $53 million for public safety; $74.5 million for water and wastewater infrastructure; and $2 million for municipal facilities.

The council considers the town manager’s recommended budget and ultimately adopts a final budget for the fiscal year.  The next steps for the town’s budget include:

• May 3 –  Council considers and votes on the tentative budget (the expenditure ceiling).
• May 17 – Council votes on final budget (all programs and services) after a public hearing.
• June 7 – Council adopts the property tax levy (set at the rate to maintain the freeze previously approved by council).
• July 1 – The 2023-24 fiscal year begins, and the approved budget goes into effect.

Arizona law requires all municipalities to adopt an annual, balanced budget.

Information: QueenCreekAZ.gov/Budget.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.