Queen Creek Town Council Regular Session - April 1, 2026

The Queen Creek Town Council met on April 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM for a regular session that included ceremonial recognitions, committee reports, a discussion on environmental programs, and final action on FY 25-26 operating budget revenue adjustments and 5-year forecast. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wheatley and included a roll call with all six council members present (Councilmembers Brown, Benning, Martinell, Vice Mayor McClure, Padilla, and Olifant). The invocation was delivered by Jim Remington, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Queen Creek.

Ceremonial Matters

• Star Student & Star Teacher Recognition: Eight students and four teachers from Queen Creek schools were recognized for their achievements. Nominated students included Madison Hemming (Queen Creek Virtual Academy), Scarlet Sparks (Benjamin Franklin Crisman Campus), Alex from Castile High School, Clara from Cortina Elementary, Laith Aldell, Mason, Ava Orozco, and Emma Pulson. Teachers recognized were Natalie Castaneda (Benjamin Franklin), Nicole Flores (Cortina Elementary), and Angela Bill (Benjamin Franklin Crisman Campus). Each student received a certificate and a treat from local restaurants; teachers received a treat from Sidewalk Bagel and Cafe and Switch Brews.
• Presentation to Giving Machine Nonprofits: Vice Mayor McClure presented checks totaling over $115,000 to three local charities from the Light the World Giving Machine campaign: House of Refuge ($25,000), Mary Gloria Foundation ($40,055), and Harvest Pack ($50,000). A video highlighted that over 250,000 meals were packaged by local students. The campaign will return before Thanksgiving 2026.
• Proclamations:
  • CASA Volunteer Week (April 6-12, 2026): Recognized by Councilmember Martinell with Bonnie Brown, Executive Director of Voices for CASA Children, accepting.
  • Week of the Young Child (April 11-17, 2026): Recognized by Councilmember Martinell with Anthony Flores and Justin Bradshaw from the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children.
  • Earth Month (April 2026): Councilmember Benning highlighted events including a cardboard boxcar drive-in movie night on April 10, QC Recycles on April 18, and water-smart workshops.
  • Water Awareness Month: Councilmember Benning noted the town’s water resource goals to reduce groundwater pumping and achieve a designated water provider status.

Committee Reports

• Economic Development Commission (March 25, 2026): Councilmember Brown reported that the consultant Civic Solutions presented a strategic framework for the economic development strategic plan, which includes five overarching goals. The commission recommended approval; the plan is scheduled for council presentation in May. Next meeting: July 22.
• Downtown Arts & Placemaking Advisory Committee (March 26, 2026): Councilmember Martinell reported that the committee reviewed 12 entries for the water conservation art contest and selected winners. Next meeting: joint with Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee on April 14.
• Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee (March 24, 2026): Chair Gabby Chambers reported that the committee conducted a work study session on a donation from Crown Castle, developed a spending plan to be presented April 15, and planned a monthly volunteer initiative. The March volunteer opportunity was Spring into Queen Creek.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0). Items included:
  • Approval of the March 18, 2026, Regular Session Minutes.
  • Expenditures over $75,000: Additional $288,000 spending authority for the SRP Bartlett Dam Feasibility Study (total $688,000).
  • FY 25-26 budget amendments: $864,954 in expenditure reallocations, $106,191 between departments, and $225,000 increase to transfers budgets.
  • Third Amendment to Cooperative Purchase Agreement for a replacement ladder truck (not to exceed $2,420,000) and a $2,420,000 budget adjustment.

Discussion Items

• Annual Environmental Programs Update: Ramona Simpson, Operations Manager for Environmental and Fleet, presented an update on recycling drop-off events (over 1,100 participants, 70 tons diverted in 2025), glass recycling pilot (80 tons diverted, glass made into new glass), household hazardous waste program (310 users, 12,000 pounds collected), and a new recycling center with 23 bins (collected 5-6 times per week). She also discussed a recycling intelligence program with cameras on trucks using AI to detect contamination (covering all 32,000 carts), air quality regulations (two campus designations requiring reporting), and stormwater outreach (50 construction site inspections, 12 auto shop visits). Earth Month events include a Boxcar Movie (How to Train Your Dragon) on April 10 with over 115 participants signed up, and QC Recycles on April 18. Councilmembers expressed support for the programs, with Vice Mayor McClure praising cost-effective recycling and Councilmember Benning noting privacy protections in the recycling intelligence program.

Key Outcomes

• FY 25-26 Operating Budget Revenue Adjustments and 5-Year Forecast: Deputy Town Manager/CFO Scott McCarty presented a detailed revenue analysis. Key points: population estimated at 92,000 (61% of build-out of 150,000), hypergrowth is slowing (projected 4-5% annual growth vs. historical 9-10%). Sales tax revenue projections for FY 25-26 were reduced by $5.1 million (to 9% increase over prior year) due to flattening trends and increased competition from Santan Valley. Construction sales tax was revised up $3.5 million. The budget reset includes a policy to cap volatile revenues (construction sales tax, building revenues, investment income) for recurring expenditures, with the remainder directed to reserves. Total reserves are $213 million. The property tax levy rate is projected at $1.46 per $100 assessed value (25% below the 2007 voter-approved max of $1.95), continuing a 5-year freeze that will save taxpayers an estimated $20 million cumulatively by year five. Assessed value surpassed $1 billion for the first time. The council approved the $2.5 million net revenue adjustment (motion by Vice Mayor McClure, second by Councilmember Benning, passed 5-0). The next budget step is the April 15 meeting to discuss expenditures and infrastructure.

• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following an April Fools' joke about extending meetings to 250 minutes for the nation's 250th birthday.