8 April 19 - May 2, 2008
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Economy from Page 1
Though Chandler’s ability to attract industrial
offi ce companies to the area has been busy “almost
to the point of record levels” the past few years,
Mulligan reports about a 25 percent reduction at the
end of last year and early this year. However, it has
recently returned to its former level, he reports.
Attracting more industrial offi ce companies into
the area, along with other types of employers, helps
the City maintain a stable economic base. Technology
fi rm CDW will move into an Opus building at Cooper
and the 202, bringing in 450 jobs with an average
STSN photos
salary of about $70,000 per year. Pearson Digital STRONG GROWTH: Chandler’s hotel and motel sales tax is up nearly 17 percent, making it a strong area of economic growth for the City.
Education, now at the 101 and Ray Road, also recently
Pictured are the Holiday Inn Ocotillo and the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort.
consolidated its Scottsdale and Mesa operations,
bringing in about 700 jobs. Intel’s October opening include telecommunications, utilities and property “Effectively, what we’ve done is we’re forecasting
of its $3 billion Fab 32 plant was another boon to the rentals, reports Strachota. New car dealerships such over a fi ve-year period on both spending and revenues
area, despite a diffi cult economy, Mulligan adds. as SanTan Honda Superstore, Power Nissan Chandler, and trying to live within that forecast. We’ve got a two-
“When your employment base is holding steady, Big Two Toyota Scion and Audi Chandler also helped, year window in terms of where we can clearly balance
that’s a good omen for the impact it has on retail, along with existing dealerships, to increase car tax our budget,” he details, referring to fi scal year 2008-09
because it means people still have their jobs,” he says. receipts by 33 percent over last fi scal year. and 2009-10. “So we don’t want to add any more than
The unemployment rate in Chandler has also held we have to. Only the most essential increases will
steady, at 2.4 percent in early 2007 and 2.7 percent in Budget adjustments probably be added to next year’s
early 2008. There haven’t been any “massive” layoffs recommended budget.”
recently either, Strachota reports. Regardless of spending and Consequently, some capital
More retail activity, spurred by a strong employment revenues, the budget is always projects such as streets, buildings,
base, then leads to the collection of more sales tax, a increasing. park facilities, police stations, fi re
primary source of funding for the City. “The budget is going stations and other physical assets
to grow even if we don’t do in the City’s infrastructure might
Sales tax revenue still vital anything differently from what be delayed to avoid maintenance
About 40 percent of the City’s $234 million general we’re doing now, just because and operation costs, explains
fund revenue comes from sales tax. Dennis Strachota, there are going to be cost Strachota.
City of Chandler management services director, increases with either infl ation Though the City is presently
says sales tax revenue has “fl attened,” starting last or bargaining agreements,” analyzing some of its internal
October. Strachota explains. Bargaining vacated staff positions to see
“However, one of the things that made it a little agreements include settlements if they can remain unfi lled,
easier for us to adjust to is the fact that we have with fi re or police unions, Chandler residents need not
budgeted fairly conservatively in terms of revenue for example. Supply costs for worry about service levels.
growth.” departments will also increase “We’re going to have to take a
Because this fi scal year’s budget provided for sales naturally with inflation, he look at service levels, but there
tax growth of only 2.5 percent over last year, Chandler adds. hasn’t been any major impact
faced neither signifi cant budget gaps nor resulting “Departments going into next
STSN photo
from the current budget situation.
spending cuts, he adds. year will have to pick up the
BIG BIZ: Automobile tax receipts are up in
Again, it may be that we were
“We didn’t face that because we’re at or above that costs of infl ation on their own. Chandler, thanks to new dealerships at the looking at adding something that
2.5 percent growth.” They’re going to have to absorb
Chandler 202 Auto Park.
we won’t be adding, but nothing
One of Chandler’s stronger areas of economic it within their own budgets for salaries, materials and that will have any detrimental effect on service levels
growth is its hotel/motel sales tax, which increased by services,” Strachota asserts. right now,” he concludes.
16.5 percent to $1,026,396 as compared to the same According to Strachota, the reason is that all City
timeframe last year of $880,918. Other areas producing spending and revenues must match up with the
Sharon Schnakenburg is a freelance reporter who can be
more sales tax revenues this year compared to last budget.
reached at Sharon@SanTanSun.com.
Cancer from Page 6
videotape they transfer to DVD. Mention the “Relay for “Carol’s Relay Team” is Carol Polcyn, Robert Polcyn and Money raised goes to The American Cancer Society
Life” fund, and people can donate money at their store Laura Debevec. Their goal is $2,500. to fund research for all types of cancer, and help fi nd a
as well. The Sunbird Community team in Southern Chandler cure.
People can still join the Novicks’ “Mission Possible” has already surpassed its goal of $1,000, securing For questions or to join the “Mission Possible”
team, which so far include Steve Jaramillo, Janet Lee, $10,050.22 and making it the “top team” on the Relay for team, contact the Novicks at Audio Video Editor at
Kimi Murray and Scott Murray. Life website. 480-726-8300.
“Our team goal is to raise $5,000,” says Clay Novick. As of press time, there were 46 teams signed up, 386 For details, or to volunteer at the event, visit www.
“All we ask is help out with what you can afford and participants and $35, 845 had been raised. events.cancer.org/rfl chandleraz or email Event Chair
feel comfortable with. We appreciate anything, and To donate to a team or individual, visit www.events. Brenda Burroughs at Chandler2006Relay@yahoo.com or
remember: 100 percent of it goes to the American Cancer cancer.org/rfl chandleraz and click on Donate to a Team call 480-862-4211.
Society, and it’s tax deductible.” or Donate to a Participant. Payment is by credit card or
Another local group who will be walking under check.
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