DRAFT Minutes - April 7, 2025 Budget Work Session

D R A F T
WORK SESSION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EL MIRAGE
EL MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
10000 N. EL MIRAGE ROAD
9:00 AM -TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2025
Minutes
 
           
   
1.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo (phone); Vice Mayor Jacquelyn Parsons; Councilmember Monica
Dorcey; Councilmember Ryan Eldridge; Councilmember Scottie Gentry; Councilmember
Anita Norton; Councilmember Donna Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - meeting called to order at 9:02 a.m.
 
3.
WORK SESSION PRESENTATION
 
1.
All-day Work Session to review and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/26 annual budget.
(Administration)
City Manager Dyches thanked the Mayor and Council for attending the Fiscal 2025/26 budget
Planning Work Session. She stated the budget was uniquely developed using a zero-based
budgeting approach aligned with the community's priorities. She discussed reviewing the City's
Strategic Plan as a guiding framework for today's budget conversation and future
decision-making. She outlined the beginning of the conversation would start with a brief
discussion on audiovisual needs to ensure everyone has the tools necessary to participate,
followed by staff who will provide an overview of the proposed budget. She stated that each of
the department's leaders is here today to present and fully prepared to answer questions, provide
clarification and support productive discussions.
Tom Bacome, Information Technology Director, introduced Tony Ortiz, President, Matt Cole,
Project Engineer, Sean McDonald, Design Engineer and Clayton Greenen, Accountant
Executive with Technology Providers Inc. Discussions included camera close-ups, jet noise
reduction, closed captioning and the ability to use council chambers in alternative
configurations. In addition council members discussed the configuration of the dais and the
possibility of an alternative setup. Mr. Cole stated that he would work with an acoustician and
get back in contact with Mr. Bacome to provide options to the council in the near future. Mr.
Baccome discussed the need for a new Audio/Visual Specialist in the Information Technology
Department. Council members were not in favor of adding a position at this time.
Macy Walker, Budget Manager, outlined the pillar in the Strategic Plan under Quality Life,
which include: Public Safety, Infrastructure, Neighborhoods, Parks and Recreation, the pillar of
Outstanding Service, which includes: High-Performing Government, Employees, Facilities, and
the pillar of Community which includes: Community Services, Community Engagement and
Economic Development. She discussed the total number of authorized positions for the City of
El Mirage and personnel cost factors. Discussions included employee merit increases, the
council approval process for merit raises and the City Manager's authority for merit increases.

One additional position was included in this budget cycle for a Management Support Specialist
in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Ms. Walker then discussed the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) changes that were included in
the budgeting process. She specified the City Hall, Police Station Expansion projects, Ramirez
Road Widening, 1st Avenue and Ventura Street Water Main Replacement and the Multi-Use
Tail Phase 2A were removed from the CIP and the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program,
Council Chambers Audio/Visual Enhancements Phase 2, Park Improvements, and the Sundial
IV Park Renovation projects budgets were increased. Discussion included adding several of the
projects back into the CIP such as the Police Station Expansion Project and the City Hall
Expansion Project. Ms. Walker next presented budget summaries of the following: General
Fund, Block Grant Fund, Special Projects and Grants, Local Transportation Assistance
Funding, Dial-a-Ride Fund, Debt Services Fund and Non-Departmental Funding.
Robert Nilles, Deputy City Manager, presented on Downtown Neighborhood Revitatilization
Strategies, which included: efforts to date, goals, actions, positioning downtown as a local
destination, economic opportunity and growth, creating healthy neighborhoods, keeping
downtown as visually appealing as possible and next steps. Discussion included looking at
properties that are not being properly cared for, creating a rental agreement for El Mirage
residents and homeowners doing business in the city of El Mirage. 
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 11:35 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 12:09 p.m.
Ms. Walker presented an overview of each of the departments' budgets, outlining the
year-over-year differences in the total budget for each department. 
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the Court Fund. Discussion included questions
regarding the increase in salaries and computer monitors. Judge Parascandola gave background
on the court and discussed salary increases and the computer monitors were coming from
Superior Court.
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the Police Department budget. Discussion
included questions regarding the amount budgeted for the Glendale Regional Public Safety
Training Center. Paul Marzocca, Police Chief, Michael Ashley, Deputy Director, and Ian
Takashige, Police Lieutenant, provided clarity and historical background on using the facility
and the rate structure being charged by the City of Glendale.
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the budget for the Fire Department. Discussion
included increased overtime due to vacancies, vehicle repair and maintenance and
administrative staffing at the front counter.
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the budget for the Administration Department.
Discussion included additional work sessions for the council, the addition of a quarterly
newsletter and adding one additional staff person. 
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the budget for the Human Resources
Department. Discussion included merit increases, cost of living adjustments, the executive
vacation policy, staffing levels, and council approval authority for the administrative policy
manual.
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the budget for the Parks and Recreation
Department. Discussion included staff overtime, staffing schedules, professional services for
special events, and replacing the memorial plaque on the Senior Center Building. 
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Work Session  - Council Minutes
April 7, 2025

Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the budget for the Public Works Department. 
Discussion included maintenance service repair schedules for vehicles, heating and ventilation
and air conditioning units, and vehicle replacement schedules.
Ms. Walker outlined the significant changes in the budget for the Mayor and Council.
Discussion included the number of council members attending the National League of Cities
Conference in Washington, D.C. each year.
Justin Pierce, City Attorney, advised the council should not take any type of roll call on items
that are not agendized at this meeting. 
Ms. Walker asked if there were additional items the Mayor and Council would like included in
the budget that were not covered during the presentation. Discussion included speed cushions
for Acoma and Varney, speed trailers, audio and visual changes for council chambers,
additional funding for council training, and funding for non-profit organizations such as Dysart
Community Center. Mr. Pierce outlined the gift clause in the constitution and gave examples of
how the council could move forward without being in violation of the state gift clause. Ms.
Dyches recommended council increase contingency funds to $1,000,000 for additional projects
that may come up during the course of this year.
Councilmember Winston left the meeting at 2:42 p.m.
 
4.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m.
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Jill A. Boltz, City Clerk
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the El Mirage City Council Work
Session held on Monday, April 7, 2025, and a quorum was present. 
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Work Session  - Council Minutes
April 7, 2025