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.
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.
Oh I know you read some of the comments. People, people. Oh, I got it. He is a genius. Good evening. This meeting is now called to order. Maria, would you please call roll? Councilmember Brown. Good evening. Councilmember Benning. Good evening. Mayor Wheatley. Good evening. You didn't get the memo. Did you say money? She's laughing. Vice Mayor Mar Council Member Martinell. Good evening. Vice Mayor McClure. Good evening. Councilmember Padilla. And Councilmember Olifant. We do have a quorum mayor. Thank you, Maria. And it is a good evening. This executive session will be handled as the first item on today's agenda. We will adjourn for the regul for the we will adjourn from the re executive session at six thirty and reconvene for the regular session at that time. If any items remain on the executive session agenda after we reconvene for the regular session, they will be handled on the final item on today's agenda. Do I have a motion to adjourn to executive session? How did I know? I'll make the motion to adjourn to the executive session. A session. Second. We do have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed. We now adjourn to the event. This meeting is now called to order. Maria, would you please call roll? Councilmember Brown. Good evening. Councilmember Benning. I'm present. Thank you. Mayor Wheatley. Here. Councilmember Martinell. Here. Vice Mayor McClure.