CityScope: January - February 2024

Budget outlook for Fiscal Year 2024-25

Chandler continues to be one of the leading communities in the state for new businesses and job creation. Local sales tax revenues are stable, 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 2024-25 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 continue 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. 

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 (HOAs) with the know-how, tools and resources to effectively lead their neighborhoods.

Mark your calendar for three sessions scheduled for April 10, 17 and 19. The first two sessions will be in-person at the ASU Chandler Innovation Center, 249 E. Chicago St., 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.
 

Volunteers provide free income tax assistance for Chandler residents

Chandler, in collaboration with Mesa United Way and Azura, is kicking off its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for the 2024 tax season. 

Volunteers assist with preparing income taxes for free for low- to moderate-income individuals and families, seniors, or individuals with disabilities. This free service is offered at eight locations throughout Chandler through April 14, to those whose income is less than $64,000. Clients may walk-in to any site the during scheduled hours of service; only one location will require an appointment. 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/Azura with any questions at 480-834-2122, or email VITA.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides free tax assistance at the Chandler Downtown Library through April 15. Advance appointments are required. 

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 or items causing a spark inside the collection vehicle. If the collection truck driver notices the load has sparked, they are instructed to pull over, dump the load and call 911 so that the Fire Department can put out the fire. 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 or items that spark flammable material are dangerous. The results can cause injury or illness to people and animals as well as cause damage to personal property and the environment.

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

Unused household chemicals should be labeled and stored for disposal at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility. Rechargeable batteries or electronics should also be dropped off at the HHW facility or alternative locations that accept rechargeable batteries. Call 480-782-3510 for more details or to schedule a drop-off appointment.