Town Pulse
Administration & Operations JULY 2026 - UPDATE
In This Issue: Fred Harvey Farm Revitalization Making Progress Building Stronger Connections with ADOT Why Is Spencer In The Ceiling? Movement On The OHV Staging Area Design GET YOUR EMPLOYEE SHOUTOUTS IN FOR THE NEXT ONE TOWN ONE TEAM SPOPLIGHT!
EXECUTIVE ANALYST HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Over the past month, work has focused on advancing several high-impact initiatives that support the Town's long-term infrastructure, economic development, recreation, and historic preservation goals. While grant development remains an important component of my role, a significant portion of my efforts has shifted toward strategic project planning, funding coordination, partnership development, and implementation of a previously awarded grant.
INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING Grant Opportunity- U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works Program : The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works Program provides competitive federal funding for infrastructure projects that stimulate private investment, create and retain jobs, and strengthen local economies. Eligible projects typically include water, wastewater, roadway, and utility improvements that unlock new residential, commercial, or industrial development. Over the past month, efforts have focused on evaluating potential projects that align with the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), positioning the Town to pursue future funding opportunities that support long-term economic growth and community development. Current efforts include developing several infrastructure concepts designed to unlock commercial development, and support long-term economic growth. These concepts are being evaluated against the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to maximize competitiveness for federal funding. Additionally, discussions have been initiated regarding innovative funding strategies that could leverage existing Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) to unlock future federal infrastructure investments. If feasible, this approach could allow previously awarded funding to catalyze significantly larger construction projects while preserving the original intent of the Congressional appropriation.
JULY 2026 - UPDATE
EXECUTIVE ANALYST HIGHLIGHTS FRED HARVEY FARM REVITALIZATION Preservation and revitalization efforts at the Fred Harvey Farm continue to advance on multiple fronts. Recent work has focused on developing historically accurate interpretive signage that will debut during the APS 140th Anniversary Celebration and Fred Harvey Farm Restoration Day on September 24. The signage will provide visitors with engaging historical narratives, photographs, and educational content highlighting the Farm's agricultural legacy, its partnership with the Santa Fe Railway, and its significance to the Town's history. In addition to the signage initiative, staff has been supporting community efforts to establish a Fred Harvey Farm nonprofit organization. The nonprofit is intended to serve as a long-term partner in preserving, promoting, and enhancing the Farm through fundraising and volunteer engagement, and future restoration efforts. Current support has included coordinating stakeholder meetings, assisting with organizational planning, and helping lay the foundation for a sustainable partnership between the Town and the nonprofit as the property continues to evolve into a premier historic and community destination. Planning efforts also continue toward the development of a comprehensive Master Plan that will guide future restoration, public access, programming, and long-term stewardship of the property. Together, these initiatives advance the Town's vision of preserving an irreplaceable piece of local history while creating a destination that supports education, tourism, and community engagement.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION Continued collaboration with federal, state, regional, and local partners remains a significant component of current work. This month, staff initiated recurring bi-monthly coordination meetings with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to establish a consistent forum for discussing transportation and infrastructure priorities affecting the Town. These meetings provide an opportunity to proactively address high-priority topics such as the future of the ADOT maintenance yard along SR 89, upcoming state roadway projects, utility coordination, permitting, traffic and safety concerns, and other issues of mutual interest before they become larger challenges.
LOOKING AHEAD Upcoming priorities include continued development of strategic infrastructure funding opportunities, advancement of the Fred Harvey Farm Master Planning effort, implementation of the OHV Staging Area design project, and continued pursuit of external funding that supports Council's long-term priorities for infrastructure, recreation, economic development, and historic preservation.
JULY 2026 - UPDATE
GRANT APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT QUIKTRIP CHARITABLE GRANT - CHINO VALLEY POLICE FOUNDATION Prepared and supplied a grant application to the Chino Valley Police Foundation, requesting $17,093.55 to purchase riflerated ballistic plates for Chino Valley Police Department officers. The proposed equipment will enhance officer safety by increasing access to rifle-rated personal protective equipment during high-risk incidents. If awarded, the funding will provide critical life-saving equipment while reducing the financial impact on local resources.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) - SENIOR CENTER CAPACITY EXPANSION PROJECT The Town's FY 2026 Community Development Block Grant application for the Senior Center Capacity Expansion Project was formally submitted to the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) on July 31 following review and coordination with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG). Preparation of this application (which began in February 2026) involved months of planning and coordination, including multiple public hearings, required public notices and postings. I am pleased to see this application successfully cross the submission finish line after several months of effort. This project will expand the Senior Center by enclosing the existing pergola to create additional year-round programming space, improving the Town's ability to serve Chino Valley's senior population. With the application now submitted, efforts will shift toward completion of the project's Environmental Review Record (ERR), a federally required process that evaluates environmental compliance and project impacts before grant funds can be obligated. Completing the ERR will be a primary focus over the coming months and is a critical step toward successful project implementation if funding is awarded.
GRANT IMPLEMENTATION SPOTLIGHT OHV STAGING AREA DESIGN PROJECT Following the successful acquisition of a $220,000 Arizona State Parks & Trails Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund Grant, implementation of the Town's OHV Staging Area Design Project has officially begun. Project kickoff activities have included coordinating with the Town's on-call engineering consultant, facilitating initial project meetings with Public Works leadership and engineering staff, reviewing the consultant's proposed scope of work, and evaluating project costs against the awarded grant budget. Current efforts are focused on refining the scope to maximize project value while remaining within available grant funding. Completion of the design phase will position the Town to pursue future construction funding for a regional OHV staging area featuring ADA-accessible amenities, parking, visitor facilities, and trailhead improvements. This project represents the transition from successful grant acquisition to active project delivery, ensuring awarded funds are translated into meaningful improvements for the community.
JULY 2026 - UPDATE
FINANCE
TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX (TPT) The transaction privilege tax (TPT) data is typically reported with a two-month lag; however, this update includes all data for FY 2025-26. TPT collections for FY 2025–26 total $12,549,699, exceeding the budgeted amount of $10,926,330 by $1,623,369. Additionally, collections are $644,247 more than those recorded for the prior fiscal year. This is primarily attributed to strong construction and speculative builder activity in the last five months.
STATE-SHARED REVENUES State-shared revenue includes Urban Revenue Sharing (income tax), State-Shared Sales Tax, Vehicle License Tax, and Highway User Revenue. The FY 2025-26 budget was $7,628,235, compared to actual revenues of $7,518,251. The budget was allocated by month based on the percentage of total revenues received in each month of the prior year. For the fiscal year, revenues were $109,984 below budget and $10,430 lower than the prior year.
JULY 2026 - UPDATE
CLERK’S OFFICE
2026 General Election: Prop 410 Arguments For or Against were due no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2026, to be included in the Publicity Pamphlet mailed to all Town of Chino Valley registered voter households.
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JULY 2026 - UPDATE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ITS)
CURRENT PROJECTS JULY 2026 Configuration and installation of a new virtual host server in preparation for virtual server migrations. Rewiring and preparation for the Library video surveillance system.
PLANNED PROJECTS FOR AUGUST 2026 Configuration and Installation of 2 new servers in the ITS Datacenter Installation of replacement Town Hall security surveillance system.
JULY 2026 - UPDATE