The Town of Marana is one of more than 2,000 communities around the country chosen to receive federal funding for clean energy projects.
REAL TALK EPISODE 37. Award season!
Town of Marana receives Financial Reporting award
Town of Marana recognized for Financial Reporting
Town of Marana Awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 12th consecutive year
Second Quarter Finance Report for the Town's General Fund
Marana wins award for financial reporting
The Town of Marana has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
Marana honored for Financial Reporting.
This marks the 10th time since 2008 that the Town of Marana’s Finance Department has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence. The Town has also been awarded the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award every year since 2007.
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel “to meet the high standards of the program,” which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.
GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of over 20,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.
The Town of Marana is serious about financial transparency. In addition to posting several years of financial documents including Budget Books, Budget Reports, Quarterly Financial Briefs, and a variety of Financial Reports, the Town also has a financial transparency database provides information from the Marana Financial System, which enables a clear view of the government’s operations.
Manager's Message: Marana budget sets the stage for a bright future
Marana Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta wrote a Manager's Message for the Marana News/Explorer News about the recently approved Fiscal Year 2020 Budget:
Our fiscal year comes to an end June 30, and we begin a new phase of projects and initiatives as outlined in the 2019-20 budget. Our total budget for the new year is approximately $143 million, a year-over-year increase of 1.5 percent. Of that total, $73 million is dedicated to operating costs, $57 million to capital expenditures and $12 million to debt service.
2019-220 Annual Budget & Financial Plan
The latest edition of our budget exhibits the Town of Marana’s balanced approach to responsible fiscal policy and positive investment in the community. Every year, we examine closely our goals and accomplishments during the budget development process. We do this to make sure that allocations are aligned with need, and that strategies are resulting in the appropriate outcomes.
The Town of Marana will continue with the development of its Make Marana 2040 General Plan in the next fiscal year. As the community grows to a likely population of over 50,000 at the 2020 census count, it is more important than ever to make sure we are planning well for the future.
The General Plan will be a vital document to guide Marana’s community for the coming decades.
Marana will also be completing its update to the Land Development Code, the Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan, Water Master Plan, Wastewater Conveyance System Plan and North Marana Drainage Study. These critical analyses will provide a road map to meet potential challenges and find new opportunities for our community.
Town of Marana has historically been committed to the highest level of service for our residents and business customers, and that tradition continues in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget with several investments.
Strategic software deployments, when implemented effectively, can streamline internal services and lead to better outcomes for customers. Next fiscal year, we are investing in the development of a single software solution to manage our permitting and licensing services. This is one of our most active and dynamic service areas, with steady streams of daily customers and long-term projects, and its successful coordination involves multiple internal divisions, and outside entities, both public and private. By investing in a unifying platform, these diverse interests can be brought together for the best outcome to the customer and resident.
Capital outlay projects make up 40 percent of expenditures for fiscal year 2020.
Investments in physical infrastructure pay dividends for every aspect of the community, from the commercial sector to daily commuters to sports and recreation teams. In total, capital outlay projects account for 40 percent of expenditures for fiscal year 2020. This translates to Marana contributing $58 million for community investments. The outlay projects will address facilities in the neediest of areas and projects that will affect all residents.
One of these community investments is improving a Colonia-designated Marana neighborhood with $3.8 million in improvements. The Adonis neighborhood project will include rehabilitating the existing sanitary sewer conveyance system, addressing drainage issues and completing a road extension that serves as a secondary access point. The rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer conveyance system and drainage projects will address potential health and environmental issues that could be triggered by aging infrastructure. The road extension serving as a secondary access and slight grade changes will improve resident safety during storm events and other potential emergencies. The town is committed to the safety of all its residents and all neighborhoods; prioritizing these vital projects will address potential long-term problems.
This year the town will also invest in water infrastructure in the amount of $21 million that will help plan for one interconnected water and reclamation system. Unregulated water compounds such as PFOA, PFOS, and 1-4, Dioxane are concerns for cities and towns across the country, including Marana. We have identified water treatment campuses as a priority in order to lower the compound levels below the health advisory recommendations in affected areas. The town has chosen to make this proactive, voluntary investment in the quality of our water supply, and substantial construction of the project is expected in the coming year.
Roads are always a top priority in Marana, with $16 million dedicated to road improvements. Key projects include the Camino De Oeste Road Restoration, Lon Adams Road Reconstruction, and Avra Valley Road Reconstruction.
Bringing new parks and outdoor recreational opportunities is a consistent priority for our community. Construction of the first phase of the El Rio Preserve project will exhibit Marana’s natural features, sights, and bring new visitors. This first phase of the project consists of a trailhead plaza with interpretive signage, sitting area with benches, pedestrian walking path, native plants and water harvesting basins, and a large observation deck for viewing wildlife and birdwatching in the preserve.
The Honea Heights Pocket Park is slated for construction and in the coming fiscal year for $272 thousand. This park will provide much-needed community amenities to a Colonia-designated Marana neighborhood.
These strategic investments represented in the FY 2019-2020 budget are necessary and sound. They meet the needs of the community, and pave the way for future generations of Marana residents to enjoy our way of life. Through commitment to our organization’s core values and the focus areas outlined in our Strategic Plan, we are able to take limited resources and turn them into remarkable outcomes for the residents and businesses of Marana, and the team members who serve them.
For more information on the budget, visit maranaaz.gov/financial-documents.
Jamsheed Mehta is the Marana Town Manager.
Community Conversation Videos - Finance, Planning, Engineering
Principal Planner Steven Cheslak
The Town of Marana frequently hosts Community Conversation events where staff members interact with residents. These events allow staff to speak to the public about their area of expertise and answer any questions they may have.
This spring the Town of Marana hosted a trio of Community Conversations with talks by the Finance, Planning and Engineering. Here is video from the three presentations.
Finance Director Yiannis Kalaitzidis discussed the process the Town goes through to create the budget for the 2020 fiscal year as well as taking a detailed look at the numbers.
Principal Planner Steven Cheslak discussed the new businesses and building projects coming to Marana. Among the projects he covered were new businesses coming to North Marana, Cortaro, and near Marana Center and the Premium Outlets.
The Town of Marana's Assistant Director of Engineering Jennifer Christelman discussed a number of the Town's infrastructure projects. She went into detail on the Tangerine Corridor, Ina Road, and upcoming projects at Adonis Road and Lon Adams.
Recommended operating budgets presented to Town Council
On Tuesday, April 23, Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta and Finance Director Yiannis Kalaitzidis presented the recommended operating budgets for the General Fund, Bed Tax Fund, Highway User Revenue Fund, Water Operating Fund, Wastewater Operating Fund, and the Airport Operating Fund for fiscal year 2019-2020 to Town Council. Information and direction received from Town Council will then be incorporated into the Town’s tentative budget, which will be presented to Town Council for consideration on May 21.
Town staff worked to compile a summary of the recommended budget, and includes a section on operating capital and projects with descriptions of significant one-time items. The summary also formally lists the items requested to be carried forward into the 2019-2020 recommended budget. Staff anticipates that there will be adequate resources to support these requests.
The budgets presented on April 23 are the operating budgets for the General Fund and other selected operating funds. Special Revenue, Capital Project, and Dept Service Funds were not formally presented, but will be included in the overall tentative budget presented on May 21.
Click here to view the full presentation file.
Click here to view the Town Council meeting video.
Click here to view the 2020 Manager’s Recommended Operating Budget.
Marana In The Media: Positive news in year-end finances
Recently, the Town of Marana’s new finance director Yiannis Kalaitzidis briefed the Marana Town Council on the Town finances. In two briefs he covered both an independent audit, as well as giving them an update of the Town’s first quarter financials. Both were positive and the Marana News had a great re-cap of the presentations.
Marana’s budget is in good shape, according to new finance director Yiannis Kalaitzidis, who presented the town’s financial results for the most recent fiscal year and gave a new first quarter update to the mayor and council at their Dec. 18 meeting.
A group of independent auditors found no red flags in the town’s expenditures or revenues, which was great news for the finance department. Kalaitzidis, who began his leadership role in late October, went over highlights of the annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
He said this report is one of the most important because it’s a complete analysis of the town’s finances since its inception, and it communicates the financial health of the town’s government.
Read the rest of the story in the Marana News
New Finance Director Yiannis Kalaitzidis begins at Town of Marana
After an extensive and competitive recruiting process, Finance Director Yiannis Kalaitzidis began his service at the Town of Marana on Monday, October 29.
“We are very fortunate to bring Yiannis to our Marana team,” said Deputy Town Manager Erik Montague. “His years of technical accounting experience and well-rounded knowledge of municipal best practices in the areas of finance will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the Town.”
Kalaitzidis replaces Montague, who previously served as Finance Director before accepting the position of Deputy Town manager.
“Moving to Marana is homecoming for me,” said Kalaitzidis. “I am excited to join a team of exceptional leaders that have helped the Town of Marana build a solid reputation as one of the best run municipalities in the State of Arizona.”
Kalaitzidis has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, with degrees in Finance and Accounting and has worked in a variety of government roles over the last 18 years. He began his career with the Auditor General, State or Arizona before becoming the Deputy Finance Director and eventually the Finance Director for Pinal County. After a short time in California as the Accounting Manager for the City of Santa Monica, he spent the last four years as the Accounting Supervisor for the City of Peoria.
Kalaitzidis is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association Committee on Treasury and Investment Management, and a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Arizona.
Marana News: Marana performing strong through third quarter
Photo of the Marana Regional Airport by Tucson Local Media
Marana News published a story on Marana's third quarter financials on June 13.
As Marana finishes the third quarter of the current fiscal year, revenues continue to exceed expenditures, with few exceptions.
In the airport fund, expenses continue to exceed revenues; although the gap is shrinking. Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta said it’s rare for a general aviation airport, rather than commercial, to generate enough revenue to cover its expenses. Mehta added that the airport is estimated at bringing $18 million annually to the region in the form of jobs, local spending from visitors and money spent on luxury items such as high-end hotels and timeshare jets.
The airport is “generating wealth for the entire region,” Mehta said. “Don’t count it as a debt. Count it as an investment.”
Marana Town Talk Episode 1: Summertime Adventures, Budgets, and Bats
Town of Marana debuts the first episode of "Marana Town Talk", a new government podcast that balances education and entertainment with thoughtful commentary on local current events.
Communications Manager Vic Hathaway and Communications Specialist Brad Allis kick off the series with an analysis of the Marana State of the Town Address (1:04) followed by a discussion of exciting adventures you can have in Marana this summer (9:46). In anticipation of the new fiscal year beginning July 1, listeners can then learn more about the budget process and where your tax dollars are going with Deputy Town Manager Erik Montague and Budget Analyst Michael Dyckman (22:45). Finally, as we move into the hot summer months, learn about the Town's bat studies with Environmental Project Manager Janine Spencer-Glasson (32:15).
AUDIO ONLY
AUDIO AND VISUAL
Related Articles
Town staff now accepting public input on recommended operating budget
Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta and Finance Director Erik Montague presented the recommended operating budgets for the General Fund, Bed Tax Fund, Highway User Revenue Fund, Water Operating Fund, Wastewater Operating Fund, and Airport Operating Fund for fiscal year 2018-2019 at the April 10 Council study session.
Information and direction received from Council will be incorporated into the Town's tentative budget which will be brought back to Mayor and Council for consideration at the regular meeting on May 15, 2018.
View the Manager's Recommended Operating Budget.
The document is a comprehensive summary of the recommended budget and includes departmental summaries with notes explaining major changes between fiscal years. The summary includes a section on operating capital and projects which provides brief descriptions of significant one-time items. It also formally lists the items requested to be carry forward into the 2018-2019 recommended budget. Staff projects that there will be adequate resources to support these carry forward requests.
The budgets presented are the operating budgets for the General Fund and other selected operating funds. Other Special Revenue, Capital Project and Debt Service Funds are not formally presented here at this time, and will be included in the overall tentative budget which will be presented on May 15, 2018.
View the Council Study Session Agenda item.
View the Council Study Session Budget Presentation.
Learn more about the Marana Budget process.
Let us know your feedback! The Town is accepting feedback from the public through May 15 when the tentative budget is presented to Town Council.
Marana hosting a trio of community conversations
During the month of March, the Town of Marana will be hosting three neighborhood meetings at various locations within the Town. Among the topics being discussed will be:
- Commercial, residential, and roadway construction projects
- Community policing
- Parks and recreation
- Town budget
- upcoming Town Council elections
The Town will also have staff on hand to answer questions regarding code enforcement and animal services. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
The meetings will be held in Dove Mountain, South Marana, and North Marana and are designed to educate the public, as well as let residents interact with Town staff.
Each meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last until approximately 7:30 p.m.
March 8th
The Highlands at Dove Mountain- Ball Room
4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd.
March 14th
Wheeler Taft Abbett Library- Children's Room
7800 N. Schisler Dr.
March 22nd
Town of Marana- 2nd Floor Conference Center
11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please call (520) 382-1926
Marana wins Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that the Town of Marana, Arizona, has received GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2017-2018 budget.
“This award reflects the Marana’s continued commitment to providing the public with detailed information on how their resources are allocated to important services and infrastructure investments,” said Marana Finance Director Erik Montague.
The award represents a significant achievement by the Town. It reflects the commitment of the Marana Town Council and Town Staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:
- a policy document
- a financial plan
- an operations guide
- a communications device
Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
There are over 1,600 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA's website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.
Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington D.C.
Marana in the Media: Marana budget in good shape
Danyelle Khmara of the Marana News re-capped the Town's 2017 fiscal year budget.
While larger and older Pima County municipalities struggle to stay afloat, Marana’s preliminary year-end budget shows the town is riding high, with $2.04 million in the black. The town even did slightly better than its neighbors in Oro Valley, who ended the year with a $1.9 million surplus in their general budget.
Marana ended fiscal year 2017 collecting $42.8 million in revenue, 104 percent of the budgeted amount. The $1.6 million surplus was largely due to revenue from licenses, fees and permits, one of the town’s big three revenue sources.
That revenue stream continued its upward trend of 8.3 percent yearly, and finished at 120 percent of the anticipated budget, or $4.8 million in revenue. Single-family residential permits are a large part of that fund. Marana budgeted for 550 permits but ended the year with 687—23 percent higher than the previous fiscal year.
The first quarter of fiscal year 2018 has already seen 188 single-family residential permits, exceeding the upward yearly trend.
Read the rest of the story in the Marana News.
Marana tentative budget approved
Article by Brad Allis
Originally published in Marana News on May 24, 2017
The Marana Town Council approved the tentative budget for the fiscal year 2018 during on May 16. The Town Council will still need to take one more vote to formally approve the budget, but barring any last second changes, the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is set.
Marana Receives Government Financial Officers Award for 2017 Budget
For the 10th consecutive year, Marana has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award. This honor recognizes the Town’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational transparency.
This award represents a significant achievement for the Town of Marana. It reflects the commitment of the Town to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, Marana had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well the Town’s budget serves as:
- A policy document
- A financial plan
- An operations guide
- A communications device
Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
For budgets beginning in 2015, 1565 participants received the award. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.
The GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.
