CityScope: February - March 2023

Budget outlook for Fiscal Year 2023-24

Chandler continues to be one of the leading communities in the state for new businesses and job creation. Local sales tax revenues continue to trend higher, and investment in both the business and residential sectors continues. City officials take these and many other economic factors into consideration as work begins on the 2023-24 Fiscal Year budget.

Each year, we focus on continuing fiscal strength by conservative forecasting and managing expenditure growth, which positions the City well to ensure we do not have more growth in our ongoing expenditures than we have in ongoing revenues. We desire to continue the traditions of transparency, maintaining strong financial policies, adding efficiencies, providing essential public services in innovative ways and maintaining infrastructure to make Chandler attractive for businesses and their employees as well as our current residents. These efforts are paying off as many companies continue to move to or expand in Chandler. Many of these businesses are future-focused and provide quality jobs in innovative sectors. This year’s budget theme, Innovation at Work, alludes to the City’s desire to ensure that we continue to provide high quality services at a low cost to residents through innovative practices and policies. 

An important part of the budget process is an ongoing review of the many programs and services the City provides, as well as reviewing the budget feedback received during the recent budget survey. This process is among the reasons the City’s 
budget so closely matches the community’s highest priorities each fiscal year.

Your involvement in this process makes a difference and ensures the needs of the entire community are heard. 

Spring HOA Academy kicks off in April

The City’s Neighborhood Programs Division offers an HOA Academy to provide residents and board members of homeowner’s associations (HOA) with the know-how, tools and resources to effectively lead their neighborhoods.

Mark your calendar for three sessions scheduled for April 5, 13 and 19. The first two sessions will be in-person at the Chandler Museum and the final session will be a virtual Q&A with an HOA expert. 

Residents will be able to register starting in March. For more information, call 480-782-4348.

Chandler Ostrich Festival returns to Tumbleweed Park March 16-19

The 33rd annual Chandler Ostrich Festival returns to Tumbleweed Park in 2023, from Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 19.  

The popular festival, known throughout the Southwest, is a community event featuring live ostriches and ostrich-themed activities. National, regional and local entertainment will be showcased on several stages, as well as a carnival, kids activities, arts and crafts and much more.

For complete information, including admission prices and parking, call the Chandler Chamber of Commerce at 480-963-4571. Tumbleweed Park is located at 2250 S. McQueen Road, near Germann and McQueen roads.      
 

Volunteers provide free income tax assistance for residents

The City, in collaboration with Mesa United Way, is kicking off the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for the 2023 tax season.

Volunteers assist with preparing income taxes for low- to moderate-income individuals and families, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The free tax preparation service is offered at eight locations throughout Chandler through April 14, to those whose income is less than $58,000. Clients may walk-in to the sites during scheduled hours of service; only two locations will require appointments. Chandler residents also may use myfreetaxes.com, a self-paced, step-by-step guide to file simple tax returns online for free.

Find locations, hours and information about what to bring. Residents also may contact Mesa United Way with any questions at 480-834-2122, email VITA@mesaunitedway.org, or visit mesaunitedway.org/VITA for more information.

Chandler Public Library continues to provide the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) the opportunity to offer tax preparation service through April 18 at their Downtown location. Advance appointments are required. For more information about this free service or to schedule an appointment, visit chandlerlibrary.org. If you need assistance making your appointment, please call 480-818-5437.

Help prevent ‘hot loads’ in trash & recycling

What is a hot load?

A hot load is a truckload of recyclables or trash that catches fire, smolders, spontaneously combusts or becomes toxic as a result of incompatible waste mixing inside a collection truck. A hot load can occur in neighborhoods while collecting recycling and trash or on public roadways and can damage personal property and collection vehicles.  

What causes a hot load?
Hot loads are caused by improper disposal of material in a recycling or trash container that is incompatible and reacts when mixed with other waste in a collection vehicle. The combination of incompatible chemicals, such as household bleach and ammonia, can be lethal. Depending on the types of household chemicals, the results can injure workers, family members, neighbors, pets, cause damage to personal property and the environment.

When trash is collected, it is compacted to make more room. The process makes it possible for incompatible materials to mix together. Household chemicals should be used to the last drop. Leftover products should be labeled and stored for recycling or disposal at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Call 480-782-3510 for more details and to schedule a drop-off appointment.

DO NOT place the following in your recycling or trash containers:

  • Hot ashes, cigarette paraphernalia, fireworks, hot coals or wood
  • Motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, kerosene or lighter fluid
  • Paint, varnish, pesticides or other household chemicals
  • Auto batteries, rechargeable NiCad or Lithium batteries
  • Cooking oil from fryers    
  • Liquid waste of any kind

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