The process for determining the citywide budget for Winslow is well underway. Highlights include infrastructure improvements, blight abatement and updating parks and recreation facilities.
Winslow City Manager John Barkley provided the budget book to The Tribune, and it showed a slight overall population decrease since 2018 but an increased daytime population. It stated that “daytime population represents the effect of persons coming into or leaving a community for work, entertainment or shopping during a typical workday. An increased daytime population puts a greater demand on host community services.”
Because of this increase and expected economic growth in the area, Barkley said, “Every aspect of this budget will enable us to continue providing quality services and completing projects that improve our quality of life.”
The budget book contains several flow charts and demographic information and also a breakdown of the many funds the city can draw from.
The general fund accounts the resources and uses of various departments. Daily operating costs are recorded in the general fund. Other government funds include the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) used to address transportation and roadway needs, the housing fund used to supplement public housing costs, the community development block grant (CDBG) issued by the federal government and used mostly to address blight abatement, the capital projects fund for improvements and the internal service fund which provides monies to purchase and maintain fleet needs.
There are also individual funds in which the services provided are financed and operated similarly to those of a private business. User fees maintain these funds. They are airport, water, sanitation, and wastewater.
A pension fund also exists to account for the activities of the on-call firefighters for pension benefit payments to qualified volunteer firefighters.
Each of these funds and accounts are considered when developing the overall budget for the city for any given year. In the process, department heads are asked to provide budget requests to city administrators who compile the information and then present it to the city council in May each year.
This year, the council adopted the tentative budget during a regular meeting on May 24.
The overall budget for fiscal year 2022-23 will be $48.82 million up nearly $25.8 million from last fiscal year because of a large increase in federal grant monies coming into the city. This includes over $23 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.
The citywide expenditures for the fiscal year total $57.1 million which reflects $11.1 million in public safety costs for the Winslow fire and police department operations.
Barkley said, “This budget addresses the challenges that we all face in order to maintain a balance between revenues and expenditures, I am confident we will be able to do this. I remain optimistic that our economic growth will enable us to do so.”
He continued, “Our capital improvement plan continues to make improvements to the city infrastructure and facilities. This includes the Winslow Lindbergh Regional Airport, Winslow Visitors Center, City Hall, water and wastewater systems, sidewalks and streets, tourism development and parks and recreation facilities.”
The one-year capital improvements plan totals over $13.4 million and will help complete 77 improvement projects. The largest of which will be the first phase of a new library facility, slated to cost $400,000.
The city also plans to begin upgrading city hall on a five-year plan and replacing the rooftop air conditioning unit at the Animal Control Facility.
Various city vehicles will be replaced this year, according to Barkley and at least one additional vehicle will be added for use by a subsequent building inspector.
McHood Park at Clear Creek will also see improvements, including a kayak launch, a new dock and ramada repairs. The long-term plan will cost approximately $120,000.
Barkley said, “In addition, this year we will be more aggressively addressing the blight conditions that continue to hinder the city’s ability to attract quality residential and commercial development and tourism. We will also be continuing with the façade improvement, or ‘lipstick’ fund, to attract and incentivize small business owners to take initiative to improve the aesthetic value of their buildings.”
Business owners interested in these incentives can contact Barkly at City Hall at (928) 289-2422.
As reported recently, there is also a multi-purpose sporting complex in the works in Winslow. The first few phases of that project are on this budget.
Barkley said, “I am particularly excited about our plans for this. It will include a four-plex baseball/softball park, trails, playgrounds, concessions and enhanced lighting features that will make it a regional destination.”
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be providing funding and contracting for the first of the four planned fields, thanks to a competitive grant application submitted by Winslow Recreation Department Director Sandra Knight. That project is slated to get underway in the early fall of this physical year.
The next step in finalizing the budget will be at a regular meeting of the Winslow City Council at 6 p.m. on June 28 in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
During that meeting, the council will host a public hearing on the budget and accompanying tax levy and have the option of adopting the final budget.
Members of the public are encouraged to take part in the hearing and can obtain details at City Hall, located at 21 N. Williamson Ave.
Barkley concluded, “We will also be updating our vehicle fleet city wide, putting finishing touches on the splash pad project, expanding the use of the Eagle Pavilion, and installing lighting improvements at the Route 66 Plaza to encourage more nightlife downtown. Parks, ballfields, and cemetery maintenance continue to be top priorities for the city as well.”
The entire budget presentation is available for viewing at City Hall.
