2025 Chandler State of the City
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025
5:30 p.m.
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2025-02-13 17:30:00
2024-12-12 13:17:23
2025 Chandler State of the City
Reception | 5:30 p.m. Mayor’s remarks | 6:30 p.m.During the reception, guests can mingle, sample food from Chandler restaurants and enjoy a themed lobby experience.Mayor Hartke will highlight Chandler’s numerous accomplishments from the past year and provide insight into key items to come this year.The event is free and open to the public.RSVP
City of Chandler
info@chandleraz.gov
America/Phoenix
public
Reception | 5:30 p.m.
Mayor’s remarks | 6:30 p.m.
During the reception, guests can mingle, sample food from Chandler restaurants and enjoy a themed lobby experience.
Mayor Hartke will highlight Chandler’s numerous accomplishments from the past year and provide insight into key items to come this year.
The event is free and open to the public.
- I’d like to officially welcome you to Chandler’s 2024 State of the City.
- People with diverse cultures, interests and talents expose us to new and exciting things.
- Food, games and music connect us.
- You’ve experienced a sample of that tonight.
- Our common love for Chandler resonates across all walks of life.
- Tonight, we’ll highlight areas that make us proud and ways our community brings people together.
- Let me begin our journey by introducing my colleagues.
- Vice Mayor OD Harris is on transportation, building safety and infrastructure boards at the regional and national level.
- Councilmember Mark Stewart is on regional economic development and national innovation and technology committees.
- Councilmember Matt Orlando is on literacy and water associations in Arizona and serves nationally on the League of Cities board of directors.
- Councilmember Christine Ellis is on regional domestic violence and national human development and policy committees.
- Councilmember Jane Poston serves on national public safety and crime prevention committees.
- Councilmember Angel Encinas serves on local business and workforce development committees.
- I serve as your Mayor. Later this year, I will also serve you as the Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council and President of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.
- As I prepared for tonight, I thought about our many accomplishments this past year.
- Chandler is consistently recognized among the safest cities in America and best places to live.
- Chandler was named the #1 city in the nation for renters.
- We’re among the most family-friendly cities in America and best places for veterans to live.
- A best place to start a side hustle and a city where Black Americans fare best economically.
- A city recognized for technology and finding innovative ways to address challenges.
- Residents gave us high satisfaction grades:
- Quality of Life – 99 percent
- Care by First Responders - 98 percent
- City Services – 96 percent
- Return on Taxes – 94 percent
- Feel Safe in Chandler – 92 percent
- Last year, we illustrated our evolution from a city of crops and fields to a city of fabs and chips.
- Today, we’re experiencing the fruits of that investment as more high-tech manufacturing and innovation companies expand operations.
- Intel’s presence in Chandler is nearing 45 years and today it is a centerpiece of America’s semiconductor industry.
- The billions being invested has a global impact, powering the most advanced technology in the world.
- Their continued investment supports a growing presence of semiconductor innovators in Chandler.
- Intel and the entire region are positioned well for semiconductor manufacturing growth. We are seeing that in Chandler.
- Edwards Vacuum opened a manufacturing facility to meet the demand for vacuum and abatement services in the semiconductor industry.
- EMD Electronics opened a factory that doubled its manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to produce semiconductor equipment and services.
- Bechtel opened an office for its advanced manufacturing and technology global business unit.
- Yield Engineering Systems opened space to create innovative manufacturing processes and prototypes for the semiconductor industry.
- Saras Micro Devices has co-located at this facility to build manufacturing space for its advanced power delivery solutions.
- Companies expanding operations weren’t limited to the semiconductor industry.
- Chandler was named the Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Our business-friendly tax climate and regulatory policies make it easy and attractive for companies to locate and expand.
- Here are a few more companies who chose Chandler to expand their operations.
- Vensure Employer Services opened its global headquarters to meet rising demand for human resources technology and services.
- Mastek opened an innovation hub to provide services on leading enterprise platforms.
- Raley's retained the Bashas’ corporate presence and opened a merchandising and operations support hub for its retail grocery stores.
- SCHEELS opened its first Arizona store at Chandler Fashion Center, transforming retail space to offer recreation and sport specialty shops.
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games will open a new entertainment center this month featuring three-level go-kart racing and a variety of gaming experiences.
- A well-deserved congratulations to our own Micah Miranda for being named Arizona’s Economic Developer of the Year in 2023.
- One of Chandler's greatest strengths in attracting quality jobs is an educated population that creates a pipeline of talented workers.
- Workforce development illustrates the power of collaboration and innovation.
- Our broad approach engages the business community, higher education and tech platforms that connect people with training and jobs.
- Grand Canyon University opened a site for its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
- The University of Arizona expanded programs in Chandler to fill the need for talented workers.
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College offered degree programs and expanded specialized job training for Chandler industries.
- We worked with them to create internships for students to serve alongside city professionals.
- We partnered with Arizona State University to launch Chandler Endeavor, an incubator that advances early-stage and grow-stage ventures.
- Another program leverages ASU’s resources to equip Chandler Unified students with entrepreneurial tools and resources for success.
- And, congratulations to CUSD for being named the best school district in Arizona for both academics AND athletics.
- Quality jobs and great schools attract talented people from all over the globe.
- As such, Chandler is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Arizona with a unique international flavor.
- In 2023, we implemented our first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan.
- Language translation devices fostered customer service interactions in 120 languages and dialects.
- An award-winning online chat at our court provided access to services in multiple languages.
- By the way, does anyone know what Struthio means…
- It’s Latin for Ostrich.
- And, the Ostrich Festival is next month – the Chandler Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual event celebrating our early history with ostriches.
- A month-long series of Contigo events engaged the Latino community and our own Niki Tapia was nationally recognized as a Top Latino Leader.
- We celebrated Juneteenth as an official city holiday and the MLK Awards recognized residents’ dedication to human and civil rights.
- The Multicultural Festival showcased the people and cultures that make Chandler special.
- Art, dance, music and, my favorite, food, are some of the many ways that we all connect.
- As you’re ABOUT to see, our city offers diverse experiences that bring people together.
- Wow – there are so many ways to make lasting memories right here in Chandler.
- Let’s talk about the arts and our parks, recreation and libraries.
- The arts and culture industry has a $12 million economic impact in Chandler.
- Chandler Center for the Arts continues to attract diverse musical and theatrical performances.
- The Pueblo Alto mural was completed, and new murals are coming to Apache Park and Chandler Museum this year.
- The Chandler Public Library is adding a bookmobile with technology that will function as a mobile library.
- Nearly 300 Chandler youth in public housing were provided after-school and literacy programs.
- Our recreation centers will become certified autism centers to better serve residents.
- Our own Kennedy Terrill was nationally recognized for engaging teens in recreation programs.
- We’ve invested in parks and athletic facilities with improvements completed at 10 parks.
- Major improvements at Tumbleweed Park will add a four-field diamond sports complex and design a new 18-court pickleball complex.
- We’re adding multigenerational space at Tumbleweed Recreation Center and designing future improvements at Tumbleweed Ranch.
- Significant improvements are being made at the Chandler Boys and Girls Club, in partnership with the City and Chandler Compadres.
- The Galveston neighborhood is undergoing major improvements.
- We’re making substantial upgrades, removing residents from flood risk and updating Gazelle Meadows Park.
- CUSD is building a new elementary school and the nonprofit, Live Love, is creating a community center called The Oasis.
- We earned Tree City USA status for the 11th consecutive year.
- Grants are helping us develop a tree inventory and urban forestry management program.
- That includes engaging CUSD students to plant trees in neighborhoods and city parks.
- Our water and wastewater infrastructure and systems are reliable, secure and efficient.
- Water conservation rebates offer incentives for water-efficient technologies and grass removal.
- We saw a 900 percent increase in homeowner applications in the first 60 days of this program.
- Advanced water meters will empower customers with data about their own water consumption.
- We’ve converted more than 28,000 streetlights to LED fixtures that will reduce our electricity consumption by about $673,000 annually.
- Agreements with multiple providers offer residents more access to broadband speeds through fiber-to-home infrastructure.
- Planning has fostered innovation and investment that made us into the city we are today.
- It has guided decisions for decades – in the areas of water, land use and finances.
- Our General Plan gathers public input that creates the vision for development in Chandler.
- We’ll soon begin the process to update our plan and take it to Chandler voters for approval in 2026.
- It’s an important planning step that ensures residents guide how our community develops.
- Attracting companies and high-quality jobs would not occur without voter-approved plans that preserve space for employment.
- With that background, let me address some policy issues.
- A new state law eliminated residential rental taxes – an estimated $11 million loss for Chandler that takes effect next year.
- Chandler has the lowest combined taxes and costs for services because we plan and rely on diverse revenue sources to serve the community.
- State preemption has become an ongoing theme at the legislature – recently in the areas of water, housing and development.
- We oppose any legislation that overrides Chandler voters and bypasses local authority.
- Instead, we’re modeling best practices and offering solutions.
- A secure water position comes from long-range planning and wise investments over many decades.
- Companies and residents in our city have a 100-year assured water supply lasting for generations.
- We’re proactive in maintaining water and wastewater facilities, enabling Chandler to have the lowest overall utility rates in the Valley.
- Our water allocation policy preserves supply for existing and future economic growth.
- And, our reclaimed water system ensures every drop is reused many times over.
- We are working with county, state and federal agencies plus private developers to create housing options that address the needs of our community.
- Council has approved nearly 2,700 multi-family units and single-family homes in recent years that are pending construction.
- Clearly, we are not hindering, opposing or slowing down housing!
- For more than 50 years, Chandler has operated as a Housing and Urban Development-designated public housing authority.
- We manage more than 300 single-family and multi-family units.
- Plus, we administer hundreds of vouchers that supplement rent paid by tenants of privately owned units.
- Our own Vickie Ellexson was named Arizona’s Employee of the Year for administering housing choice vouchers.
- We use every tool in our toolbox to help Chandler families and individuals with housing.
- We’re using real-time data and technology to guide housing strategies and combat instability.
- We’re adding more affordable housing too.
- In partnership with a developer, construction of Villas at McQueen begins this year to add 157 multi-family affordable housing units.
- We’re reviewing proposals to redevelop two other city-owned sites to build additional units.
- Commercial redevelopment offers another opportunity.
- We’ve amended the Infill Incentive Plan to provide tools and promote redevelopment in parts of Chandler north of the Loop 202 freeway.
- It’s a win-win that protects local authority, diversifies economic development tools and spurs investment in a community.
- State lawmakers must work with cities to tackle these issues – not tie our hands – and not take decisions out of the hands of residents.
- We’d like to see legislation that offers cities tools to address underperforming retail centers and housing while preserving the rights of residents to have input on development.
- Downtown Chandler successfully illustrates redevelopment in action.
- It has become a destination for entertainment and dining experiences, attracting new businesses and housing.
- Eight new businesses opened last year, and DC Heights completed its first phase.
- The second phase of New Square will add hotel rooms, conference space and a new restaurant.
- One Chandler will create retail, office and multi-family housing at Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard.
- A two-story food hall featuring up to 12 restaurants will be built downtown.
- Improvements to streets and signage will help drivers and pedestrians navigate downtown.
- Voters will have another important decision to make this year regarding transportation.
- The regional half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation since 1985 is on the ballot this year.
- It has funded the development of the Valley’s regional freeway network and transit system plus numerous street and transit projects in Chandler.
- Proposition 479 is a critical source of funding to sustain and improve our streets, intersections, traffic technology and transit services.
- Council has nearly doubled investments in pavement restoration, ensuring the quality of Chandler roadways.
- Our award-winning streets crews completed over 150 miles of pavement restoration last year.
- Chandler Flex has proven to be a popular on-demand transit service since its inception in 2022.
- Residents have said they want bike lanes that are safe and offer improved connectivity.
- We completed a study of protected bike lanes as well as traffic calming measures on Hunt Highway.
- Frye Road will be our first protected bike lane, providing a 2.5-mile connection between Paseo Trail and San Marcos Park, west of downtown.
- We also have dedicated trails and paths that connect with neighboring cities.
- Serious crime rates hit historically low levels last year.
- And, our police department has produced a steady decline in crime during the past decade.
- That illustrates the supportive relationship that exists between residents, businesses and police.
- Partnerships with service providers freed up first responders to address other community safety needs.
- Integration of crisis and social service clinicians with police dispatchers diverted hundreds and hundreds of calls to behavioral health providers.
- We’re putting opioid settlement funds to use by working with prevention and intervention services.
- Human trafficking is a community safety issue that we’re facing head-on.
- Millions in grants and funding sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby are going toward technology and resources targeted at human trafficking and Internet crimes against children.
- This includes investigative resources, technology and systems for a real-time police crime center.
- Staff from all city departments completed training to identify and report human trafficking.
- Our own Amanda Dahl was recognized by the Arizona Association of Crime Analysts as a stand-out new crime analyst.
- Chandler Fire has become an accredited paramedic program – the first fire department in the East Valley and only the second in Arizona.
- We equipped 24 graduates to become the newest paramedics serving Chandler.
- Our busiest fire station was rebuilt, and a second engine was added to address the demand for emergency services in north Chandler.
- This is the first major project completed using bonds authorized by voters in 2021.
- A future project planned using bonds is a Police Forensic Sciences facility.
- This new facility, to be built in the coming years, will feature a forensics team, consistently named a top-performing lab by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
- First responders are exposed to unique health risks, so there are measures we have taken.
- Cancer prevention and diagnosis services for firefighters reduce their risk and exposure.
- Health screenings for police officers provide early detection of heart disease and cardiovascular risks.
- Mental health resources also are available for first responders.
- We have taken a unique approach to recruiting first responders to Chandler.
- Chandler Fire conducted its recruitment process, and 30 new firefighters will start serving our community this year.
- Chandler Police held ongoing recruitments - 48 police officers and 35 civilians were hired last year.
- We’ve adopted several ordinances to preserve the quality of life in neighborhoods.
- Our historic preservation ordinance promotes and preserves neighborhoods and landmarks.
- We’ve confronted the impacts of short-term rentals, data centers and animal cruelty and hoarding.
- We’re also working with other communities to prevent and address teen violence.
- We condemn teen violence and recognize the danger and harm it creates among our youth.
- We’re committed to engaging parents and youth to prevent and investigate these acts of violence.
- It’s imperative that residents continue sharing information about teen violence with police.
- A safe and resilient Chandler community begins with engaged residents.
- Nationally recognized, For Our City Day and Golden Neighbors, revitalized neighborhoods and connected seniors with resources.
- We’re one of only six cities nationally to receive the Global Cities Award from Just Serve, for connecting volunteers with community needs.
- These accolades reflect the great work of people and businesses who are invested in Chandler.
- We’re being proactive to prevent homelessness by connecting people with resources and housing.
- Our goal is to keep people housed and leverage social services that create stability.
- We administered rent and utility assistance for more than 2,000 Chandler households.
- We awarded $1.4 million to 48 nonprofits that deliver a variety of social services to residents.
- Community navigators connect people with a network of services to obtain housing, treatment and resources that stabilize their lives.
- As we look to the year ahead, we’ll continue our focus on excellent services and fiscal practices
- We have the lowest total cost of taxes and utility services in the Valley.
- Our sales tax is the lowest in the entire state.
- Council lowered property taxes for the eighth consecutive year.
- We’re the largest Arizona city to pay off our public safety pension obligation.
- Chandler is an appealing place, and we have many exciting things to come this year.
- We’ll welcome more world-class companies and innovators to Chandler.
- We’ll refresh the Sister City Program and broaden our international relationships.
- We’ll create a plan for Mesquite Groves, our 70th park.
- We’ll focus on community, service and excellence, not partisan division.
- Vision and planning are rooted in our heritage.
- We are innovators, inspired by possibilities.
- And, we take responsibility for shaping our community’s future.
- We’ve had an incredible year of announcements.
- Our city is safe.
- Our city is welcoming to all people, backgrounds and cultures.
- Our city is connected through traditions and technology.
- We are experiencing tremendous investment and prosperity.
- And we are proud to serve you as Mayor and Councilmembers.
- Thank you for being here!