
FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2025


Peggy McMahon COUNCILMEMBER Elected 2020

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FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2025


Peggy McMahon COUNCILMEMBER Elected 2020


Gerry M. Friedel MAYOR 1st Term

Hannah Larrabee COUNCILMEMBER Elected 2022

Allen Skillicorn VICE MAYOR Elected 2022

Brenda Kalivianakis COUNCILMEMBER Elected 2022

Rick Watts COUNCILMEMBER Elected 2024
Mayor serves two-year term. Town Councilmembers serve four-year terms.

Gayle Earle COUNCILMEMBER Elected 2024
Jennifer Wright Town Attorney
Joanna Elliot Court Administrator
Rachael Goodwin Town Manager
Amanda Jacobs Economic Development Director
Capt. Kevin Thomas MCSO
Mike Pelton Community Relations Director / PIO
Kevin Snipes Community Services Director
Robert Melton Municipal Judge
Bevelyn Bender Town Clerk
Chief Dave Ott Fountain Hills Fire Department
Paul Soldinger Chief Financial Officer, CPA, CFE
David Trimble
Deputy Town Manager / Administrative Services Director
Justin Weldy Public Works Director
John Wesley Development Services Director


As Town Manager, it is my pleasure to present this year’s Annual Report for the Town of Fountain Hills. Over the past fiscal year, we’ve made tremendous progress across all areas of local government, reflecting our commitment to serving the community with efficiency, innovation, and care. From major infrastructure improvements and economic development growth to record-setting crowds at our signature events and strengthened public safety efforts, our small but mighty team worked tirelessly to deliver meaningful results and enhance the quality of life in Fountain Hills.
Town Manager Rachael Goodwin
The Fountain Hills Fire Department officially launched on January 1, 2024, marking a major milestone in the Town’s commitment to public safety. Transitioning from Rural Metro to a locally operated department, FHFD now runs two stations with a team of approximately 30 dedicated professionals. In its first year, the department responded to 6,151 calls for service, establishing itself as a trusted and vital presence in the community.
Fountain Hills continues to benefit from mutual aid partnerships with neighboring cities like Scottsdale, and is actively pursuing automatic aid status. Once approved, automatic aid will ensure the closest available units respond to emergencies — regardless of jurisdiction — further enhancing response times and coverage for Fountain Hills and surrounding areas.
Looking ahead, the Town Council approved a new command structure that will introduce Battalion Chiefs beginning in 2026, strengthening leadership capacity and positioning FHFD for future growth and success.



The Town completed a major pavement reconstruction project on El Lago Boulevard, between Saguaro Boulevard and Panorama Drive.
This reconstruction project became a priority to the Town Council. It is a highly visible stretch of road, running alongside Fountain Park and directly in front of the Veteran’s Memorial.
Throughout the month of May, M.R. Tanner
Construction milled the roadway, removing several inches of the existing asphalt, before paving each direction.

Fountain Hills had a banner year for community events, with all four of the Town’s signature celebrations drawing record-breaking attendance. As a community that thrives on tourism and sales tax revenue, this milestone speaks volumes about the success of the Town’s efforts to engage residents, attract visitors, and support local businesses. Fourth at the Fountain, Turkey Trot, Irish Fountain Fest, and Music Fest each surpassed previous attendance highs, energizing the downtown and providing a major boost to local shops, restaurants, and vendors. Turkey Trot sold out with 2,800 participants filling the streets for the popular Thanksgiving morning tradition. Meanwhile, Irish Fountain Fest brought in an incredible crowd of more than 10,000 people.
Fountain Hills remains committed to delivering high-quality events that showcase the town’s unique charm and attract visitors from across the Valley, while reinforcing its reputation as a vibrant, welcoming community.
A significant construction project at Golden Eagle Park will enhance drainage capabilities and reduce the risk of future flood damage.
Work began in January, led by B4 Enterprises, targeting an area of the park that has long struggled with stormwater management due to its original design. Golden Eagle Park experienced severe flooding in both 2018 and 2019, underscoring the need for substantial upgrades.

On the east side of the park, three major wash channels converge behind a detention dam. These channels are being widened and deepened to increase their capacity and allow for safer, more efficient stormwater flow.
In addition to improving drainage, the project includes other upgrades that will help protect park infrastructure, enhance public safety, and improve the overall visitor experience at one of Fountain Hills’ most popular parks.


Bevelyn Bender has served as the Town Clerk for the Town of Fountain Hills since 2003 and has been a dedicated public servant in the community since 1994. She began her career with the Town as a receptionist/administrative assistant just a few years after incorporation, followed by becoming the executive assistant to the Director of Administration/Town Clerk. After retiring in 2018, Bevelyn has now returned to service in March 2025, once again stepping into the role of Town Clerk to continue supporting the community she has long served. As Town Clerk, Bevelyn oversees municipal elections, maintains official records, documents legislative actions, and manages critical administrative functions.
The Town’s new Community Relations Director grew up in the Valley and graduated from Desert Mountain High School and Arizona State University. Prior to joining the Town, he worked as the Public Information Officer for the Pinal County Attorney’s Office. Mike also spent more than a decade in broadcast journalism, working as a TV news reporter in several markets across the country, including more than four years at ABC15 in Phoenix.


The International Dark Sky Discovery Center (IDSDC) made exciting strides toward becoming one of the most unique and transformative science-based attractions in the region. As construction progresses, so does anticipation for this world-class facility that will further establish Fountain Hills as a true dark sky destination.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the year came when a massive crane lifted and placed the 38-ton dome that will house the Craig and Ruth Gimbel Hyperspace Planetarium. Hundreds of onlookers gathered to witness the amazing accomplishment.
Spanning 23,000 square feet, the IDSDC will feature a state-of-the-art observatory, planetarium, theater, hands-on science exhibits, and classroom space. With a focus on STEM education and dark sky preservation, the Center will inspire students, tourists, amateur astronomers, and lifelong learners alike. Once open, the IDSDC will serve as a powerful educational hub and a major tourism driver, reinforcing Fountain Hills’ reputation as a “dark sky oasis.” It’s a landmark project not only for our town, but for the entire Southwest.
To learn more or find out how you can support this groundbreaking initiative, visit www.DarkSkyCenter.org.
The Town completed the design phase of a comprehensive wayfinding signage project aimed at improving navigation and enhancing visual appeal throughout Fountain Hills. Installation began along Shea Boulevard, where residents and visitors may have already noticed the newly installed signs directing to key destinations.
This Town-wide project will see 40 signs, both large and small, situated along high-traffic areas throughout the community. The new signage system provides clearer guidance for navigating the community while reinforcing the distinct identity of Fountain Hills.


In a creative blend of public art, sustainability, and scenic relaxation, two custom-designed swings made from retired wind turbine blades were installed at Fountain Park in 2025.
Positioned to face the World-Famous Fountain, these swings are not only a comfortable spot to unwind but also a powerful showcase of innovation. The interiors feature vibrant desert-themed murals, painted by artist Debra Sue Solecki, who has family ties to the Fountain Hills community.
Expected to last for decades, the swings are already becoming a favorite photo spot and conversation piece!
A brand-new, grant-funded restroom and storage facility is now open at Four Peaks Park, bringing much-needed convenience to parkgoers and especially families using the nearby playground.
The prefabricated structure includes four individual restroom stalls, drinking fountains, and a dedicated storage room for park maintenance. This new addition enhances both accessibility and the overall experience at one of the community’s favorite parks.


Fountain Hills is adding a fan favorite grocer to the community. Sprouts Farmers Market, a popular specialty grocery store known for fresh, natural, and organic products, is planning to open a new location in the heart of Fountain Hills. The applicant has officially submitted a site plan for a proposed 23,024 squarefoot store to be located in the Four Peaks Plaza Shopping Center, near Shea and Saguaro Boulevards. This marks a step forward in the Town’s ongoing efforts to attract high-quality businesses to the community.
Though the Town of Fountain Hills does not provide direct water, sewer and trash collection services, the Town works closely with partners to offer these utilities for residents. By using these top-notch organizations to deliver utility rates, residents are assured of the best service without paying additional taxes or fees to the Town for equipment maintenance, staff and upgrades.
EPCOR, a Canadian-based company, provides water services to more than 13,000 residences in Fountain Hills and has existed since before the Town’s incorporation in 1989. In the event of a main water rupture or other water supply issue, EPCOR will quickly respond to resolve the situation.
www.epcor.com
Republic Services Provides Trash and Recycling Collection
The Town of Fountain Hills has a contract with Republic Services to provide household trash collection, recycling and bulk trash removal. Republic Services Residents are billed directly by the company.
www.republicservices.com
Fountain Hills Sanitary District Manages Wastewater
Established in 1969, the Fountain Hills Sanitary District is a governmental entity that collects, treats, and disposes of wastewater and its byproducts within the Town of Fountain Hills. The Fountain Hills Sanitary District has successfully recycled wastewater for beneficial reuse since 1974.



The Sanitary District prides itself on being good stewards of the environment and doing its part to protect the desert’s limited water resources. All wastewater in town is treated and beneficially reused for irrigation purposes. The reclaimed water produced by the District’s WWTP is used to fill Fountain Lake, and to irrigate Fountain Park and golf courses.
www.az-fhsd.gov
Fountain Hills welcomed a state-of-the-art Regus workspace along Palisades, offering flexible options like private offices, co-working spaces, and virtual offices. Meanwhile, Sprouts Farmers Market submitted plans for a 23,024 sq. ft. location at Four Peaks Plaza, with construction anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026.
In partnership with the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Town continues its Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program, helping local businesses grow, invest, and stay engaged in the community.
The Town Council unanimously approved a new Downtown Strategy – the first update since 2009 – focused on Land Use, Infrastructure, Economic Vitality, and Public Spaces. This includes plans for flexible zoning and a five-year implementation plan, starting with the redesign of Verde River and Parkview.

To celebrate Fountain Hills’ vibrant arts scene, the Town proclaimed October as Arts & Humanities Month which included artist events and displays for the community to enjoy. The Downtown Placemaking Mural Program continued with nine new murals, transforming public spaces through art.
The International Dark Sky Discovery Center celebrated its groundbreaking and the installation of its planetarium dome in 2024. The Town also secured over $130,000 in tourism grants, supporting expanded tourism efforts.
Following the unveiling of its new branding, Fountain Hills received national and state honors:
• Silver Circle Award (City-County Communications & Marketing Association)
• Two Addy Awards (Gold and Best in Show) with Gordley Design Group
These accolades highlight Fountain Hills’ commitment to innovation, community engagement, and excellence.






The Development Services Department provides various functions to ensure the Town grows smartly and safely. The divisions within the department include Building Safety, Planning and Zoning, Code Compliance, and Mapping and Graphics.
Building permits indicate steady growth of new housing and construction projects across Fountain Hills 7
The Fountain Hills Connect reporting system allowed residents to submit photos and specific location information on issues such as potholes, overgrown vegetation, junk and debris, fallen street signs, and much more. This provides the Code Enforcement team with helpful information to help staff quickly resolve requests and concerns. During this fiscal year, the department investigated 580 code enforcement cases. Of those, 471 have been resolved and closed.

The Community Services Department oversees and collaborates with many community organizations by maintaining and providing services for town parks, trails, the Community Center, Senior Services, community arts programs, volunteers, special events, Home-Delivered Meals, and much more.
The Fountain Hills Community Center is a hub of community events, programs and activities for residents. In the 2024/2025 fiscal year the center hosted a variety of local and regional events, as well as grew programs that make a difference in the community.
• 363 permits (single day and multi-day events)
• Revenue increased 5% over last year (rentals)
• Revenue increased 24% for senior services over last year
• Medical Equipment Check-outs – 230
• Municipal Clerks Conference
• Oktoberfest
• Dark Sky Festival
• Poke Fest
• Blood Drives
• Season’s Celebration
• Activity and Volunteer Expo
• Dementia Caregiver Summit
• Bridge Tournaments
• Food 4 Kidz Community Food Pack
• Teen Takeover
• Watch and Clock Convention

Baseball & Softball Tournaments
Tournaments Revenue
29 $62,653
Recreation Programs Increase in Participation
Participants
2,288 Participants*
Excluding Community Center Programs
*12% increase from previous year Revenue
$68,146.82**
Excluding Community Center Programs
**35% increase from previous year
Community Services Events
Attendance Events
50,520 16
*20% increase from previous year
COMPLETED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS LINEAR PARK: Root Barriers installed. Event receptacle outlets installed. Beginning of shade structure installation. 4 picnic tables added.
FOUR PEAKS PARK:
Grant funded restroom by playground. 3 new pickleball courts
PANORAMA PARK: New pocket park built
ADERO CANYON: Cameras installed on the restroom building
PARK ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS LESS THAN $50K
FOUNTAIN PARK:
Two Front Porch style swings with artwork to view the fountain. Relandscaped the amphitheater area. Sealant on splash pad surface. Shade for equipment storage by pumphouse.
GOLDEN EAGLE PARK: Foul line and homerun fencing replacement on two fields.
DESERT VISTA PARK: New trees planted during Make a Difference Day.
Volunteers: The Heart of Fountain Hills Living
Fountain Hills thrives because of the incredible spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers play a vital role in creating a strong, connected, and compassionate community.
This past year, volunteers donated an extraordinary 14,841 hours of service, a contribution valued at $490,791, based on the 2024 Arizona volunteer hourly rate of $33.07 (Independent Sector). Their efforts have touched countless lives and made Fountain Hills a place we’re all proud to call home.
285
Rides Provided GIVE A LIFT
570 Volunteer Hours GIVE A LIFT
5,966
Meals Delivered
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
2,604 Volunteer Hours
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
38 Residential Projects Completed
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY 2024
3 Town Projects MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY 2024
436
Volunteers Participated MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
2,616
Service Hours Contributed
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
14,841
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS
$490,791
VALUE IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES
1,425 Volunteer Hours CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM
8,640 On-call Hours CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM
288
Care Cards and Crafts Created CARE CARD PROGRAM
576 Volunteer Hours CARE CARD PROGRAM
5
Meal-packing Events DAY OF GIVING
225 Volunteer Hours DAY OF GIVING
175 Volunteers
SONORAN CONSERVANCY
3,146 Volunteer Hours
SONORAN CONSERVANCY
24
Community Partner Trees COMMUNITY CENTER HOLIDAY
17
Community Partner Wreaths COMMUNITY CENTER HOLIDAY
16 Holiday Quilts
COMMUNITY CENTER HOLIDAY
435 Volunteer Hours
COMMUNITY CENTER HOLIDAY
>600 Guests Attended
SEASON’S CELEBRATION
500 Cups of Hot Cocoa Served
SEASON’S CELEBRATION
300 Cookies Decorated
SEASON’S CELEBRATION
86
Volunteer Hours
SEASON’S CELEBRATION
210 Volunteer Hours MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL
441 Volunteer Hours TOWN BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
67 Participating Partners
VOLUNTEER & ACTIVITY EXPO
>400 Attendees
VOLUNTEER & ACTIVITY EXPO
268 Volunteer Hours
VOLUNTEER & ACTIVITY EXPO
493
Volunteer Hours PARKS & RECREATION EVENTS

The Town Clerk’s Office delivered vital services during FY2024–2025, ensuring government transparency, civic engagement, and compliance with legal mandates. Through effective election management, prompt records handling, and continuous modernization, the office contributed significantly to the operations and accountability of the Town of Fountain Hills.
The Town Clerk’s Office successfully administered the 2024 local elections, including a primary on July 30, 2024, and the general election on November 5, 2024. In the general election, voter turnout exceeded 91%.
The Town Clerk’s Office processed approximately 387 public records requests. Most requests were fulfilled within a few business days, adhering to Arizona’s Public Records Law. A new online portal was launched to streamline the submission and tracking of public records requests, enhancing transparency and service efficiency.
The Town Council held approximately 17 regular meetings, in addition to 5 special meetings and several executive sessions. The Town Clerk’s Office managed agenda preparation, public notifications, and minutetaking for each meeting, ensuring compliance with Arizona’s Open Meeting Law.
Roughly 28 ordinances and 80 resolutions were adopted. Ordinances included updates to building codes, zoning regulations, and animal control laws. Resolutions covered topics such as election certifications, fiscal appropriations, intergovernmental agreements, and policy declarations.

The Fountain Hills Public Works Department plays a vital role in maintaining the quality of life and safety that residents and visitors expect in our community. Each day, the team is committed to delivering projects that protect public health and safety, extend the life of Town infrastructure, and enhance connectivity across neighborhoods. This past fiscal year, the Department focused on improving streets and sidewalks, upgrading critical infrastructure, and supporting the community with projects that make Fountain Hills a safer, cleaner, and more walkable place to live.
Below is a summary of key accomplishments from the Engineering, Streets, and Facilities Divisions over the past year:



• Fire Safety Upgrades: Fire safety was advanced with the replacement of fire sprinklers across all Town facilities, including Town Hall Campus buildings, Street Yard facilities, and Fire Stations, ensuring compliance with current life safety standards.
• Court and Fire Station Safety: Safety bollards, updated furnishings, and IT upgrades were installed at the Court, while Fire Stations received new evaporative coolers, garage door safety components, safety light curtains, and detection devices, improving safety for staff and visitors.
• Pedestrian Crossings: The Town installed new high-visibility crosswalks along Saguaro Boulevard at Parkview Avenue, Paul Nordin Drive, and Gunsight Drive, along with a mid-block crosswalk on Eagle Mountain Drive, enhancing safe pedestrian access across key corridors.
• Sidewalk Gap Infill: 0.78 miles (4,125 linear feet) of new sidewalk was added along Saguaro Boulevard and Palisades Boulevard through a federally funded grant project, improving pedestrian safety and connectivity. Additional infill sidewalks were installed, closing existing gaps in the sidewalk network. These include:
› La Montana Drive: Installed sidewalk in front of Bashas’ Shopping Center, closing a key downtown sidewalk gap.
› Tioga Drive: Installed sidewalk and 235 linear feet of retaining wall across from Desert Vista Dog Park.
• Guardrail Replacement: New guardrails meeting current FHWA standards were installed along McDowell Mountain Road at the northeastern Town boundary, improving roadside safety ahead of Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) upgrades.
• Traffic speed and volume studies were conducted at four locations throughout Fountain Hills to provide data for informed safety and operational decisions.
• The Streets Division provided 5.85 lane miles of new asphalt paving and applied pavement surface treatments at the Sheriff’s Office parking lot and Botanical Garden parking lot.
• Over 16,000 linear feet of crack sealing and 24 tons of pothole repairs were completed to preserve roadway conditions, and 347 lane miles of sweeping kept streets clean and safe.
• On Saguaro Boulevard, the Town completed a mill and overlay of 2,100 square yards, followed by a Polymer Modified Rejuvenating Emulsion (PMRE) surface treatment to extend pavement life.
• Dedicated bike lanes were added along Gunsight Drive using enhanced pavement markings. Crosswalks and pavement markings were installed at 22 locations, improving safety for all road users.
• Staff implemented vegetation management within Town-owned rights-of-way to increase walkability and improve line-of-sight along streets while maintaining wash areas for stormwater management only (not for public access).
• A protected left-turn signal was added at the intersection of Saguaro Boulevard and Palisades Boulevard, improving safety at the last Town signal without a protected left-turn phase.
• The Town completed approximately 48 acres of wash maintenance for effective stormwater management while ensuring washes remain closed to public access.
• New concrete drainage channels were constructed along Westridge Drive and within the Wendover Drive/Stancrest Drive drainage easement, replacing deteriorated structures to increase stormwater capacity and protect roadways during storms.
• On Love Court in Courtside Villas, a deteriorated catch basin was replaced, and a 24-inch stormwater pipe was rehabilitated using trenchless pipe lining technology to minimize ground disturbance.
• Shea Boulevard Widening civil engineering design was completed, preparing for future roadway capacity and safety improvements between Palisades Boulevard and Fountain Hills Boulevard.
• Wayfinding signage design was completed, and installation is underway Town-wide to improve navigation for residents and visitors.
• Fire Station Improvements.
• Installed innovative roof drain linings at all Town facilities as part of preventative maintenance efforts.
• Completed a comprehensive arc flash safety study on all electrical distribution panels and equipment.
• Upgraded the chiller water pump and replaced variable frequency drives (VFDs) on the chiller.
• Updated access control systems throughout all Town facilities.
Through the dedication of the Capital Projects, Streets, and Facilities teams, the Fountain Hills Public Works Department continues to deliver projects that prioritize safety, protect public infrastructure, and strengthen the community for all who live, work, and visit Fountain Hills.
The Town of Fountain Hills continues to utilize the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) as its contracted law enforcement provider. MCSO is committed to serving the residents and visitors of Fountain Hills. The Town has some of the lowest criminal statistics in the state, making it one of the safest communities across Arizona.
4,620 Calls for Service
2,853 Traffic Stops

181 Arrests
1,264 Incident Reports



The Fountain Hills Fire Department is a vital pillar of the community, delivering top-tier emergency response and championing public safety on a daily basis. Whether responding to fires, medical calls, or other urgent situations, the department acts swiftly to protect lives and property. Beyond emergency response, their commitment extends into the community through fire prevention education and safety outreach programs. With a strong focus on continuous training and preparedness, the department plays a crucial role in keeping Fountain Hills safe.
6,151 Calls for Service 2024
30 Field Personnel
3 Chiefs
2 Support Staff

The Town’s Finance division is committed to continuing the Town’s conservative forecasting and budgeting to ensure the Town remains on a solid foundation able to withstand future uncertainty and changing demands. The Town will continue to provide services to its citizens and prioritize improving infrastructure to meet the needs and safety of our community.
Local sales tax revenues account for more than half of the Town’s revenues and can be challenging to forecast due to changing demographics and trends. The Town intentionally uses conservative local sales tax revenue forecasts to protect Town operations from economic slowdowns and Fiscal Year 2025 represented an inflection point that staff will monitor in the coming year. The Town received $20.2 million, or roughly a 2% decrease in local sales tax revenue compared to the prior year, although some of the decrease was expected due to the State of Arizona eliminating local sales taxes on long-term residential rentals beginning January 1, 2025. This is the only 3rd year-over-year overall decrease over the past ten years.
Although the Town received less revenue than the prior year, it still exceeded staff’s conservative projections by nearly 15%, allowing the Town to continue providing services to our residents without disruption. The Town’s robust financial framework requires staff to monitor revenues each month and provide quarterly updates to the Town Council. Fiscal Year 2026 may be a more challenging year due to recent financial headwinds, but staff will ensure the Council is well-informed about the Town’s ongoing financial situation.
Despite the changing financial landscape, Fiscal Year 2026 is an exciting year for residents with many capital projects and streets improvements planned, in addition to increased funding for Town environmental programs. The Fire Department will also receive increased funding to support its application for automatic aid status, which will enhance emergency services for residents and visitors. The Finance Division will continue its best efforts to keep the Town in a sound financial situation to allow departments to carry out objectives under the direction of the Town Manager.
29TH Consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
23RD Consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
13TH Consecutive Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award
$12,000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000
$0


