Power Play: Lawmakers Looking to Get Full Control Over Their Own Pay Raises
West Valley Families breaks down school bond measures and board elections. And we examine the legislative push granting city council members the authority to adjust their salaries.
Just when you think election season is over… the City of Goodyear gears up for another.
Yes. The All-America City is calling for a Special Election May 20, 2025.
At the cost of $169K, Goodyear voters will decide whether to approve a municipal franchise agreement. A staff report states, “This franchise agreement requires Liberty to pay the City of Goodyear three percent (3%) of the gross profits of the sale of water services or wastewater collection services within the boundaries of the city as a franchise fee.” And, “Under the franchise agreement Liberty will also be responsible for paying permit fees to the city for the installation of their water or wastewater facilities.”
“If approved by a majority of the voters at the May 20, 2025 Special Election, this franchise agreement will be effective for a term of 25-years, which is the maximum allowed by the Arizona Constitution, and will go into effect June 1, 2025.” Find out more here.
The costs for the special election are already covered in the FY2025 budget. Liberty will handle any expenses the City incurs for holding a general election to approve this franchise agreement. If other items are on the ballot, the City will split the costs fairly, so Liberty only covers the portion related to the franchise agreement.
Which there will be other items on the ballot.
At the council meeting on November 4, 2024, Goodyear lawmakers unanimously approved a consent agenda item to put City Charter amendments up for a vote.
One of the four amendments, Article II, would remove the voters' ability to decide raises over 5.1% for lawmakers.
An observant follower of West Valley Families on Facebook brought this issue to light.
Sure enough…
Goodyear's current City Charter states that the Council Compensation Committee must review the compensation of elected City officials. If the Committee recommends a change to salaries—whether an increase or decrease—of more than 5.1% from the current amount, that change has to go to the voters for approval in a regular election.
The proposed amendment, however, would allow the City Council to accept or reject the Committee’s recommendations directly, taking the decision out of voters’ hands. Any salary or benefit adjustments would then go into effect in the next budget year.
To get a sense of where the city’s leaders stand on salary raises, take a look at the perspective of Vicki Gillis, the newest council member. Campaign records show she raised and dispursed over $33K, and about a year ago, she spoke up in favor of raising lawmakers’ pay. Her reason? She admitted, “I did not know how low this salary is.”
Her pay of “nothing” - as she states here - was actually $12,599.86.
For as long as I remember, council member salaries have been listed on the city’s website here.
Goodyear City Council voted to give themselves a raise at the November 27, 2023 meeting - which went into effect July 1, 2024.
In Goodyear, every odd-numbered year, the Council Compensation Committee submits its review and recommendations to the City Clerk… which means the committee could recommend another raise next year.
The other three proposed amendments on the Goodyear spring ballot cover the following:
1. The City Council would have the power, by simple majority, to set rules on land use, zoning, and architectural design regulations.
2. The City Manager would gain authority to create, delete, or reorganize city departments, as long as it stays within the approved budget and employee limits set by the City Council.
3. The City Council would have the authority, by simple majority, to levy specific local taxes—such as retail, online sales, and real estate rental taxes—while maintaining its bonding and debt powers within current legal limits.
Goodyear’s City Clerk office will mail an information/publicity pamphlet to voters before April 23, 2025. It’s an All-Mail Ballot Election on May 20, 2025.
SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION RESULTS
Fresh election results came in this morning just before 11am.
Former Liberty Elementary School District board president Michael Todd, who stepped down a few weeks back, didn’t win his race this time around; newcomer Sarah Schmidt took the 2-year spot instead. Meanwhile, board member Paul Bixler ended up finishing last in the race for a new 4-year term. The top spots go to Kellie Zimmerman, Kris Kenyon, and Bryan Cirrincione.
Here’s a look at the unofficial initial results.
Liberty Elementary School District states,
“Following Tuesday’s election, it appears that Board member Bryan Cirrincione and Vice President Kris Kenyon were re-elected to their seats for four-year terms; expiring in 2028. Sara Schmidt and Kellie Zimmerman, the newly elected board members, will officially be sworn in at a ceremony in downtown Phoenix sometime before the end of the year. They will officially meet for the first time as a board on January 13, 2025 at the Board Organizational Meeting.”
Initial results in the hotly contested Peoria Unified School District election in Peoria, Arizona shows governing board clerk Mr. David Sandoval currently failing in his bid for re-election.
WEST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT BONDS FAILING
Here are the Initial Unofficial Election results for the school bonds we’re watching in the West Valley. The results could still change.
Homeschool families have something to look forward to under President-Elect Trump. The newly elected president “pledged to allow homeschool parents to use 529 education savings accounts to spend up to $10,000 a year per child, completely tax-free to spend on costs associated with homeschool education.” And he says he’ll work to ensure every “homeschool family is entitled to full access to the benefits available to non-homeschooled students—including participating in athletic programs, clubs, after school activities, educational trips, and more.”
We asked the Buckeye Union High School District if it allows ESA families to participate in courses and sports. Dr. Steven Bebee responded, “BUHSD does not allow ESA students to participate in courses or athletics.” We asked superintendent Mark Yslas at Agua Fria Union High School District the same question. Has not responded. In our exclusive report from June 10, 2024, we reported the AFUHSD “Approval ESA Tuition Rate” motion carried 3-1 with Terry a nay vote. Board member Landis was absent. I will continue to see if I can find a price list for ESA families wanting to take classes and play sports in the Agua Fria Union HSD.
“ESA Tuition shall be charged at $1,270.00 per class for each semester. An additional $1,000.00 shall be charged for each club or extra curricular activity. This would create a separate tuition rate for the purposes of ESA students.
-Agua Fria Union High School District | June 5, 2024
MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS COMMUNICATIONS
On X, I've been chatting with folks about how the county gets its info out there. With the election results coming in at a snail's pace, and then the county recorder deciding to delete his X account, it's definitely got people talking.
Last night, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ Bill Gates posted on X the county would share results twice today. So that means one more set of results will be posted tonight. Find them here.
JEN’S TWO CENTS
No tax on tips. Have a great weekend.