Home Rule Public Hearing Presentation

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2026-02-26)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 2917 characters
2026 Proposed 
Local Alternative 
Expenditure Limitation
City Council Chambers
6:00 PM
Home Rule Option 
Public Hearing

Home Rule Origin
State Law effective June 3, 1980
Sets maximum spending limits for Cities & 
Towns based on a formula 
Maximum spending limit formula
Based on FY 1979-80 expenditures
Allows for annual population increase
Allows for inflation increases
Allows for exclusions of some expenditures

One-Time 
Override
Alternatives to Formula
Local Alternative 
Expenditure 
Limitation 
(Home Rule)
Permanent 
Adjustment 
of Base Limit

2026 Home Rule Option 
Allows City to use 
adopted budget as the 
expenditure limit vs 
state formula set in 
1980
Provides flexibility to 
establish budget based 
on anticipated 
revenues and set 
programs and service 
levels based on 
resident needs
Spending limit is re-
established every 4 years 
Requires a majority vote 
of the public at Primary 
or General election
Requires 2 Public Hearings 
prior to Council action
Special Meeting held 
immediately following the 
2nd Public Hearing
Requires 2/3 majority
Chandler Voters Have Approved the Home Rule Option 11 
consecutive times since 1982- most recently in August 2022

2026 Home Rule Option
Financial Implications (preliminary)
 
Spending 
exclusions 
include interest 
income, bond 
proceeds, debt 
service costs, 
grants, etc.
State 
Computed 
City FY2027-28
Anticipated Spend 
Base Amount (spending limit)
$350,177,698
$582,364,867
Plus, Allowable Exclusions
$522,784,635
$522,784,635
Allowable Spend – Total – Anticipated Spend
$872,962,333
$1,105,149,502
Amount Over State Limit
$232,187,169
Budgeted 
expenses that 
would need to be 
eliminated if 
Home Rule is not 
approved

Potential impacts if Home Rule does not pass
Reductions in street maintenance funding
Reductions in public safety funding
Deferral or cancellation of capital projects 
Reductions to recreation, aquatics, and library programs
2026 Home Rule Option 
Financial Implications
Approval of 
Home Rule 
does not 
increase taxes
If Home Rule 
does not pass, 
revenue will 
continue to be 
received but 
not spent

2026 Home Rule Election Schedule
Dates
Actions Following Public Hearings
February 26
Special Meeting: Council Action on Resolution to Place Home Rule on the 
November 3, 2026, General Election Ballot
Week of March 2
Publish Record of Vote, Amount Over Limit & Purpose 
May – EST
Finalize FY 2027-28 Home Rule Limit (based on FY2026-27 tentative 
adopted budget)
June 17 & 24
Public Notice of Argument Filing Period
July 21
Submit Financial Worksheets to Auditor General
July 21
Public Voting Pamphlet Sent to Auditor General
July – October
Public Outreach
July 6 - August 5
Argument Filing Period
September 22 - 29 Distribute Pamphlets to Public
November 3
ELECTION DAY: Public Vote at General Election
November 23
Deadline to Canvass Election–City Clerk Submits Results to Auditor 
General

Questions?