State of the Town Mayor's Letter

August 14, 2010

 

 

 

It's been a challenging year in Carefree, my hometown.  But the Town Council and the fourteen people on Carefree's staff have overcome the trials, tribulations and disruptions of the past year.

 

 

The staff has produced exceptional results.  Two of those accomplishments are almost beyond belief. Carefree had a positive cash flow in its 2009-2010 fiscal year and services to the citizens were not reduced.  The Town was “in the black” and everything still got done.

 

 

Carefree's overall 2009-2010 revenues were $4,682,800, 28% under budget, and that was a major challenge.  But Carefree's staff was able to reduce expenses to $4,328,300.  This means that Carefree had a positive net inflow of cash of $354,500.  And this happened in one of the worst economic environments since the Great Depression. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z07dIELUAU0

(YouTube courtesy of Herbert Hitchon)

 

 

How did this seeming miracle come to be?

 

·       The staff picked up extra duties as Carefree reduced the number of our employees from 18.5 to 14.  One person retired and three people were laid off.  These people, their skills and their dedication are missed but their duties were willingly picked up by other people.

·       Carefree watched every penny that went out the door.  Carefree bought only what was required to get the job done and found the minimum cost for each purchase.

·       Carefree asked our partners to hold the line on expected increases in contracts and billings.  In December, 2009, Rural Metro rolled back a 4% increase in its contract with Carefree.  The Town Attorney worked diligently to keep billings to an absolute minimum.

·       Carefree benefited from the conservative fiscal policies of previous Town Councils.  These Councils determined to put money in the bank and pay for major investments with cash. Carefree is not burdened with large debt.

 

 

The new 2010-2011 fiscal year also will be interesting. Our budget is tight but again there is no reduction in services to the citizens.

 

 

I think the citizens of Carefree should be proud to live in a Town that has minimal debt, $6,066,400 cash in the bank and a budget that balances income and expenses.

 

 

I hope the citizens will stop by Town Hall to say “Thank You!!!” to the staff for a job well done.

 

 

Mayor David Schwan

Town of Carefree