The New City Budget

First, I would like to thank all of the residents who communicated with staff and the City Council with their thoughts regarding the Fiscal Year 2010/2011 budget. At the end of the process, we allotted $377,000 from our reserves to balance the budget. Last year we needed $570,000 from our reserves to balance the budget. (We have a substantial reserve remaining of just over $13 million). We believe the effects on residents and business will be minimal. We needed to eliminate some valued events, including the Healthy Community Expo and 5k Fun Run/Walk, Taste of Rancho, and two of the six summer concerts. It is the City Council’s hope that the 5K and “Taste” will return, possibly as soon as next year, along with a full schedule of summer concerts.

Businesses In Rancho

We are all living the effects of the downturn in the economy. Several of our outstanding restaurants have closed. Several of our specialty stores have closed. We feel terrible for those business owners, who invested heavily in our community. The City has an Economic Development Committee, made up of current business owners, City staff, and City Council members. Their mission is to market the City, and to work with current businesses to help them in any way possible to succeed here.

Recently, City Council member Neil Blais, City Manager Steve Hayman and I, attend the ICSC Conference, (International Council of Shopping Centers). We met with landowners, developers, management companies, and retail representatives. What we all came away with was a very optimistic view of the future here in Rancho. There are many businesses interested in opening their stores and restaurants in our city. It was very hard to see Circuit

City, Opah Restaurant and Bar, Finbars, Ruby’s, and others close their doors, but it appears that those locations will not stay empty for long. Lastly, please try to do all of your business here in Rancho. Those sales tax dollars come right back to you.

Discussion of Arizona SB 1070

At the City Council meeting on June 9th, we discussed Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070/House Bill 2162, entitled “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” (SB 1070). Discussion included the law itself, as well as the subject of how it may or may not apply to our City, residents, and businesses. Of course this is a huge national issue, which has worked its way to local governments. Every City Council member gave their opinion. The consensus was to support the intent of Arizona SB 1070. There was also consensus to make sure all of our contract employees and future staff employees are in the country legally, using the “E-Verify” system. (E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States).

The item was continued to the City Council meeting on the 14th of July. It is very important to this Council that our residents are given the opportunity to communicate with us, regarding this issue, before a final decision is made. The best way to do this is by taking part in our online survey. Go to the City’s website, www.cityofrsm.org and find “City Council Would Like to Hear From You”. You will be guided through the process. Every comment will be delivered to City Council members, and the total numbers, pro and con, will be read into the record at the meeting on the 14th. Of course, you can speak at the Council meeting, during “Public Comments”.