Since the pivotal expansion of city limits in the late 1990s, which ushered in the development of nearly 30 master-planned communities, Buckeye has pursued a deliberate path of growth. This journey has been guided by a steadfast commitment to the General Plan, approved by our voters, ensuring that our growth not only meets the needs of our expanding community but also honors and preserves our rich heritage.
Working for Buckeye
We are tasked with responsibly managing our precious water resources, ensuring public safety remains paramount, and guiding our community through its rapid growth. Our focus must also extend to bolstering our infrastructure, fostering job creation, and crafting policies that not only accommodate growth but also benefit our residents.
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To achieve these goals, I am dedicated to the highest financial integrity and openness standards. Transparency is crucial for building trust and enabling us to tackle future challenges and opportunities with full community backing. By continuing our work on infrastructure, jobs, and growth policies and embedding a culture of financial integrity and openness at every level of our operation, we can secure Buckeye's future.
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Public Safety:
A Top Priority for a Safer Buckeye
As a proud resident of Buckeye with deep family ties to our city's brave firefighters, my commitment to our community's safety and well-being goes beyond my role in the city council. Together with my husband, a dedicated firefighter, we have ingrained ourselves in the fabric of Buckeye. Our family has devoted over a decade to volunteering with United Buckeye Fire Charities and leading the annual Turkeyfest, which provides holiday meals to over 400 families, embodying our spirit of giving back to the community we hold dear.
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Championing Innovative Programs for Enhanced Community Health and Safety
My advocacy for the groundbreaking Buckeye Paramedicine program reflects my dedication to innovative solutions for public safety and health. This pioneering initiative has transformed emergency medical care in our city, offering critical, life-saving services and reducing hospital readmission rates dramatically from 18% to an impressive 3%. The program's success has not only benefited hundreds of our citizens directly but has also attracted statewide and nationwide recognition for its effectiveness and efficiency.
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Strengthening Buckeye's Public Safety Infrastructure
Understanding the importance of a robust public safety infrastructure, I proudly supported the development of key facilities, including the Police Communication Center, the Police Storage and Training Center, Fire Station 703, Fire Station 704, 705, and Fire Station 707, which is currently under construction. These essential investments ensure that our first responders have the resources and training to protect our community effectively.
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Championing Accreditation: A Mark of Quality and Trust
The rigorous journey to accreditation involves a comprehensive evaluation process that measures everything from operational effectiveness to community engagement and emergency response capabilities. By supporting our Police and Fire Departments in achieving accreditation, we ensure they operate efficiently, guided by policies and practices that reflect the best in their fields.
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This effort underscores our city's commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. It instills greater confidence among our residents, knowing that their public safety departments are recognized for excellence by leading accrediting bodies. Furthermore, it enhances our ability to attract and retain top-tier professionals dedicated to serving our community with distinction.
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Achieving accreditation is a clear testament to our Police and Fire Departments' hard work, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Buckeye's citizens. It is a critical step in our ongoing mission to ensure Buckeye remains a safe, welcoming community for all.
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Building for the Future: Ensuring Our First Responders Have What They Need
My vision for Buckeye's future remains to enhance our public safety capabilities. We've expanded our firefighting capacity by adding a new firehouse and recently integrated a new fire truck into our fleet. The ongoing construction of the Police Training Facility and the new Police Communication Center underscores my unwavering commitment to ensuring our police and firefighters have the cutting-edge equipment and training necessary to maintain our community's safety.
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Your safety and well-being are my utmost priorities. Together, we can continue to build a safer, more resilient Buckeye for all our families.
WATER:
Ensuring a Sustainable Water Future for Buckeye
Securing a sustainable and resilient water future for Buckeye has been a paramount focus throughout my tenure. Understanding the critical importance of water management in our growing city, we have taken decisive steps to expand and protect our water resources, ensuring long-term sustainability and reliability for current and future residents and businesses.
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Strategic Water Resource Management and Infrastructure Development
In my second term, we marked a significant milestone by acquiring Global Water. This strategic move enhanced our water portfolio and set the foundation for Buckeye's self-reliant water future. This acquisition was a key component of our broader water strategy, which included developing and implementing a comprehensive Water Resources Master Plan. Through this plan, we have connected miles of water lines, adding redundancy, securing additional water sources, and improving water quality through blending practices.
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Our commitment to integrating and maximizing our existing water sources with the newly acquired areas is exemplified by the completion of the Jackie A. Meck Water Campus. Looking ahead, we are in the design phase for another crucial project, the Farallon Water Campus. This project will not only expand our capacity to efficiently manage and distribute water resources but also ensure a sustainable and reliable water future for Buckeye.
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Our efforts to enhance our water portfolio didn’t stop with infrastructure development. We have also secured water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and recently approved the purchase of 592,592 acre-feet of groundwater additional water from the Lower Hassayampa Sub-basin. This demonstrates our proactive approach to diversifying and augmenting our water supplies.
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Buckeye: A Leader in Water Conservation and Management
Buckeye is dedicated to responsible and sustainable growth. Our actions speak to our commitment to ensuring we have adequate water for new businesses and residents while safeguarding the resources for our existing community. We’ve made significant strides in water conservation by adopting the Water Resources Master Plan, Drought Management Plan, and Water Conservation Code updates.
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Our proactive participation with the governor’s office in the Water Policy Council aims to modernize and expand the Ground Water Management Act, ensuring we stay at the forefront of water conservation solutions. Buckeye's engagement in these efforts underscores our leadership role in shaping a sustainable water policy that will benefit our city and the entire region.
A Secure Water Future
Buckeye stands on a firm foundation of a 100-year assured water supply for every home and business developed in our community, a critical requirement for any new development. With a clear vision and strategic actions, we have ensured that Buckeye’s water future is secure. We have adequate resources to support our population of approximately 100,000 residents and accommodate projected growth for the next 15-20 years.
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Our commitment to sustaining the local aquifer, exploring renewable water supplies, and supporting additional growth, while maintaining a sustainable water supply, is unwavering. Through diligent planning, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions, Buckeye is well-positioned to meet our community's water needs today and into the future.
"Buckeye is committed to responsible and sustainable growth and working to ensure we have adequate water for new businesses and residents while protecting our existing customers. The city has already taken major strides toward water conservation by implementing the Water Resources Master Plan, Drought Management Plan, and Water Conservation Code updates.
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Buckeye will continue to be at the forefront of water conservation solutions. The city is currently working with the governor’s office to participate in the Water Policy Council and help modernize and expand the Ground Water Management Act."
It is important to note that every home or business currently developed in Buckeye has a 100-year assured water supply. Any new developments, including shopping centers, homes, and businesses, cannot be built without having a 100-year assured water supply unless it is a build-to-rent community. Buckeye’s water future is not in danger, and it currently has the resources to sustain our existing customers and projected growth, which already have certificates of assured water supply.
Is Buckeye's water future in jeopardy? (quoted from Buckeyeaz.gov)
"No. Buckeye has adequate water resources to sustain projected growth for the next 15-20 years. The most recent population numbers indicate our current population is approximately 100,000 residents. We have enough water for all current residents and those arriving in the coming years. However, we are completely aware of the need for additional water resources to:
- Sustain the local aquifer through recharging and/or reducing groundwater pumping
- Finding and using renewable water supplies
- Providing water for additional growth
The city’s Water Resources Master Plan Update was finalized and adopted by the City Council on April 21, 2020. This plan outlines potential opportunities available to us and guides the city on the best practices to acquire additional water supplies. Our long-term goal is to continue growing while providing and maintaining a sustainable water supply.
Through careful and thoughtful planning, and working with other water partners, we will be able to ensure an assured water supply for all our customers.
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What does Buckeye's water future look like?
The city is planning to use a combination of groundwater and surface water supplies for future growth.
On July 6, 2021 the city of Buckeye entered into a contract to acquire 2,786 acre-feet per year (907.8 million gallons per year) of Non-Indian Agricultural (NIA) Colorado River water. The city of Buckeye applied for this water in 2013. Delivery of this water began in 2022. After 2022 the annual volume of this NIA water could be reduced if the shortage declaration on the Colorado River is extended or worsens.
Other future water supply opportunities could include but are not limited to:
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Treating brackish groundwater from the Buckeye Waterlogged Area.
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Importing groundwater from the Harquahala groundwater basin, which is located west of Buckeye.
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Leasing Colorado River water from Native American communities. The water could be transported through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye.
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Purchasing or leasing Colorado River water entitlements from private owners. The water could be transported through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye.
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Increasing the use of treated wastewater for landscape irrigation.
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Participating in a project to potentially increase the height of Bartlett Dam on the Verde River. This water could be transported to Buckeye through the canal systems owned by the irrigation districts operating in Buckeye."
Water has always been a priority for the council. The city is only 15% built out, and growing responsibly is a top priority.
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency:
Our Commitment to Buckeye’s Future
In Buckeye, we understand that the stewardship of public funds is a cornerstone of good governance. Our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency is not just a policy; it’s a principle that guides every decision we make. Our dedication to maintaining sound financial practices ensures the sustainable growth and development of our community, laying a strong foundation for future generations.
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A Tradition of Excellence in Financial Reporting
For the fifth consecutive year, Buckeye has been honored with the “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” by the Government Finance Officers Association for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. This prestigious award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, representing a significant accomplishment by the city council, city management, and the Finance Department.
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Prudent Financial Management and Strategic Planning
Our approach to financial management is both strategic and prudent. By annually creating and maintaining budgets with a focus on long-term sustainability, we have established and consistently funded a Rainy Day Fund, reserving 20% of our budget for unforeseen financial challenges. This disciplined approach to budgeting underscores our commitment to ensuring the city’s financial stability.
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Exceptional AA+ Municipal Bond Rating
Buckeye's fiscal responsibility has been further validated by an exceptional AA+ Municipal Bond Rating from S&P Global. This rating reflects our city's robust tax base, overall economic health, financial adaptability, and our management practices and policies. It not only signifies our financial health but also enables us to secure the most favorable interest rates for vital capital projects, facilitating the development of infrastructure that will benefit our community for generations to come.
Continuing the Legacy of Transparency
Achieving and maintaining high standards of financial transparency and reporting is a continuous process. Buckeye is committed to submitting future ACFRs and other financial reports to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) annually, building upon our success and ensuring our community remains well-informed about our financial health and strategies.
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To learn more about Buckeye’s finances and review our current and past financial reports, please visit buckeyeaz.gov/budget.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
2023 - 2024
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1,500 jobs were committed to the city
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800,000 square feet of new retail and services are under construction
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Costco opened
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APS HUBwest opened
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250 jobs
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KORE Power is underway
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3,000 jobs
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Operational by 2025
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Abrazo Health’s new medical campus underway
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Banner secured additional land for new campus
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Multiple road projects to improve roadways
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Verrado Marketplace set to open late 2025
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Sundance Park Phase II opened in the fall of 2023
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Ross Dress for Less distribution center broke ground
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1,300 jobs
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Completion coming soon
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Site preparations for Verrado Marketplace are underway
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SR 85 corridor transforming into a "Sustainable Valley."
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Additional water sources acquired and proposed
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Jackie Meck Water Campus Completed​
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Securing 8,000-acre feed of water (summer 2024)
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Farralon Water Campus (Opening in 2025)
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Marriott Hotels opened a dual-brand hotel in Verrado
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New retail businesses opened and committed to Buckeye
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Police Community Connect Program
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Police Flock Cameras to assist with stolen vehicles
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Buckeye Museum Renovation
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Upgraded Court Facility
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Police Evidence Building
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Police Communication Center (Opening in Jan 2025)
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Fire House 705 Constructed
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*Fire House 707 (Opening in Jan 2025)
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Downtown Area Strategic Plan
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L.E.A.N. Implementation for City of Buckeye Staff
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Each year, the Buckeye Air Fair continues to grow and attract new visitors and business.
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