2012 Greetings from the Mayor ~

Dear Neighbors,

As is the tradition, I would like to start the New Year by updating you on the "State of Our Town".

FINANCIAL STATE OF THE TOWN

Carefree continues to be in a very favorable financial condition.

Carefree has an annual operating budget of approximately $5,000,000. We have $4,500,000 unrestricted reserves in the bank and NO DEBT!!!

The Staff, Town Council and I will continue to operate with a balanced budget. The Town Council will also consider prudent uses of our reserves to maintain and improve

our municipal infrastructure.

The best way you can help Carefree is to "buy local" and support Carefree merchants. Every town is competing for your tax dollars. By spending in Carefree, municipal sales tax dollars remain within Carefree - a direct benefit to Carefree citizens.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

As with any asset, Carefree must make the initial investment and then strategically manage the asset to enhance its value. Wise investments, properly managed, will maintain our quality of life.

In 2012 Carefree will continue to focus on improving our municipal assets and infrastructure.

Carefree will use our updated Pavement Management Plan (PMP) and invest approximately $1,500,000 in our roadways over the next three years. The PMP is available on Carefree's website at www.Carefree.org.

In January, the Carefree Town Council will review and prioritize a list of municipal capital improvements aimed at enhancing our investments within the Town Center. This list of possible investments came out of our economic development workshops and community surveys conducted this past fall.

GRANTS

Through the good work of the Town Staff, Carefree will receive a grant from the Maricopa Association of Governments for a PM-10 street sweeper. Carefree will spend $20,000 to acquire a $270,000 piece of equipment. This sweeper will replace the service we now use to sweep our streets in Town Center. This new equipment will

also help Carefree do a better job cleaning our roadways after monsoon rains.

We will continue to investigate additional grants that are appropriate for Carefree.

TOWN-WIDE FIRE PROTECTION

Our contract with Rural Metro for fire protection ends on June 30, 2012. Councilman Glenn Miller, Councilman Marty Saltzman, Town Administrator Gary Neiss and I are currently in negotiations for a new contract for town-wide fire protection. We are meeting with the City of Scottsdale, Daisy Mountain Fire District and Rural Metro. The City of Phoenix decided not to enter into negotiations with Carefree.

We plan to update the Town Council in February about the negotiations. Information will be made available to the public before the Town Council approves a new contract for town-wide fire protection.

OPEN DOOR

My door is always open to you. I'm usually in Town Hall beginning at 8:00am. You can contact me at Town Hall at (480) 488-3686, via email at mayor@carefree.org, or on my mobile phone at (602) 722-6930. The Town Staff and I look forward to your questions or suggestions as Carefree begins 2012.

My best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year!!!

Mayor David Schwan

Town of Carefree

 

 

 

Lyn: the MCSO team along with Danny's Car Wash will hold a benefit car wash as follows:

Danny's at 3rd Ave and Bell 1/18 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

MCSO and Danny's have been doing this for years. Deputies and Posse members work the line and take donations for the families of fallen Officers and Deputies. At the last such event I worked when a member of the Posse we raised over $ 14,000. Please encourage your readers to consider joining in this most worthwhile event. Thanks

JVA

 

 

 

1st Annual Carefree Indian Art
Market & Cultural Festival

February 17-19, 2012 in Downtown Carefree, Arizona

February 17th-19th, 2012

Juried Native American Fine Art, Craft & Entertainment Festival

In Carefree Desert Garden Center at Sundial Circle

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
9am – 5pm

Up to 100 Juried ALL INDIAN ART Exhibitors located in the Carefree Town Center Desert Gardens with live Native American Music, Dance & Cultural Entertainment in the Center Amphitheater daily, plus a Native American & Southwestern Culinary Food Court.

Expected Attendance 8,000 to 10,000.

All Exhibitors at the Carefree Indian Market & Cultural Festival are recognized under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 to ensure authenticity, quality and collectability. All artists are members of federally or officially State recognized tribes or are certified as Indian artisans by the governing body of an Indian tribe as non-member Indian Artisans

Roberta Toombs Rechlin

Magic Bird Festivals

the art of fun

www.magicbirdfestivals.com

480-488-2014

P.O. Box 1803

Cave Creek, AZ 85327