The Town Council gave approval for the initial contracts for the planned renovations to the Fountain Hills Community Center, which are to take place over the upcoming summer months.
Along with the approval, it was noted that the Community Center will be closed from July 1 through Labor Day to accommodate the work.
The Community Center was built in 2001 and, due to age and wear over the past 20 years, the interior of the building needs an extensive cosmetic updating and renovation, according to staff.
Council gave its unanimous approval to the contracts for restroom remodeling, flooring and painting.
An agreement with Continental Flooring is for $263,000 and covers the purchase and installation of new carpeting and tile.
The General Fund proposal reflects a 17.9-percent increase over the budget for the 2020/2021 Fiscal year.
Revenue sources for the General Fund are consistent year to year and include local sales tax, intergovernmental (state shared), permits and licenses, fines and fees and other sources.
Local sales tax is by far the largest revenue source, with a projection of $14,262,000 for the upcoming year, an expected 34 percent increase over the current year.
The state shared revenues will account for $6,645,000, with is a reduction of about 3 percent from this past year. Another $1,271,000 in permits and licenses is unchanged from the current year. The amount collected from fines and fees is budgeted at $421,000, and the âotherâ category accounts for $115,000.
A $2.9 million grant received under the CARES Act has helped improve the financial picture for the Town of Fountain Hills during the first six months of the current fiscal year.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was approved by Congress in March 2020 and allotted $2.2 trillion in stimulus aid that included grants to state and local governments. The state allocated those funds to most communities.
The Town of Fountain Hills received its allotment in July 2020, just as the new fiscal year was beginning. The funding was largely allocated to public safety, and the town used the money to pay the first four months on its contracts with the Maricopa County Sheriffâs Office (3.9 months totaling $1.62 million) and Rural/Metro Inc. for fire and emergency medical services (four months totaling $1.28 million).