Scottsdale City Council eyes core principles
to be lobbied at state capitol in new year
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
Scottsdale City Council has set its agenda to help, lobby and persuade members of the Arizona Legislature cultivate, legislate and innumerate local law that serve best the residents of “The West’s Most Western Town.”
During its Nov. 21 regular meeting at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved its 2023 legislative agenda at the recommendation of city staff.
The approved legislative agenda, city officials say, provided the city’s registered lobbyists with a marching order of sorts when speaking on behalf of the municipality to lawmakers at the Arizona capitol in downtown Phoenix.
“Each year the government relations staff in the city manager’s office, in consultation with the mayor and City Council and executive leadership, develops a state legislative agenda based on the priorities and needs of the city of Scottsdale and community,” said Scottsdale Government Relations Director Dale Wiebusch in his report to City Council.
“Input was also received from the Human Relations Commission and Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission, to include sustainability programming and homelessness solutions. The agenda provides guidance for city positions during the Arizona State Legislature’s annual session and throughout the year.”
The first regular session of the Arizona Legislature convenes Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Scottsdale City Council has agreed on the below general core principles as the new lawmaking season at the capitol looms:
- Respect Scottsdale’s unique character and culture: Respect those attributes which contribute to Scottsdale’s voter approved community vision including our exceptional experience, outstanding livability, community prosperity and distinctive character.
- Preserve local funding: Protect existing funding and authorizations that bring revenue to Scottsdale and are essential to supporting quality of life for our residents.
- Support local authority: Support the retention and restoration of local decision-making authority and oppose unfunded mandates and preemptive efforts which remove the ability to set policy at the local level.
Mr. Wiebush outlines the legislative agenda is a guideline document that does not require any taxpayer dollars.
The agenda is developed around the city’s General Plan and serves to guide the lobbying activities of the city throughout the year. Adoption of the agenda does not require funding,” he said. “However, actions by the legislature can have an impact on the city’s budget. Some examples of legislative related resource impacts include state shared revenues, unfunded mandates, public retirement systems, and preemption of local fees.”
