By Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega

Dear Scottsdale Families,
Scottsdale is one of the most desirable cities in the world with a robust economy, which is reflected in our multi-faceted 2024/25 city budget. It will never be number one on the “New York Times” Best Seller list, but here is the overview.

Scottsdale residents, businesses, and visitors expect excellence. This fiscally conservative budget pairs operating revenues with expenses and includes carry-forward costs for capital improvement projects. The combined city property tax rates are reduced by 5%, and we continue strategic investments in water, parks, and street infrastructure, as well as enhanced community services.

Of note, our 400-sworn-officer police department is fully funded, and we added a forensic scientist. Scottsdale Fire adds 56 new personnel, including staffing of the new Scottsdale Ambulance service and firefighters at our newest fire station number 612.

Most importantly, the 2024/25 budget includes updating the dated 2012 Classifications and Compensation schedules to ensure that we can recruit and retain outstanding employees. Balancing revenues and expenses and securing dedicated employees is truly the formula for success.

Not available at Amazon, just go to scottsdaleaz.gov to read it in its entirety.

Here are the highlights:
• Reduces your city combined property tax rate – going down from 98.14 cents per $100 of assessed value to 93.16 cents. Remember that the county assessed value is much less than market value.
• Reduces by 10% last year’s 2023/24 budget $2.53 billion vs 2024/25 Budget $2.29 billion.
• Fully funds our Scottsdale Police Department, including the real-time crime center, and adds one police forensic scientist.
• Fully funds the Scottsdale Fire Department including phase I staff for Scottsdale Ambulance, which rolls out over three years.
• Funds strategic investment in water, parks, and storm drainage and street infrastructure.

It is important to note that recent projects such as upgrades to Pima Road entail significant drainage solutions. Pima is a major north/south arterial, so 70% of funding is provided by the Maricopa County Flood Control District and MC Transportation department. All construction is overseen by the city of Scottsdale engineering team and all pass-thru funding is included in our budget.

Recently, I took Pima Road to a charity event at Troon North and noted the construction progress, which includes landscaped medians, bike lanes, sidewalk and drainage improvements. I have witnessed your courteous behavior on the road in this area during construction. Thank you very much for your patience!

The new neighborhood park at Ashler Hills Drive is scheduled for completion in early 2025 and will include open turf play areas, a shaded playground, sport courts, walking paths, trails, and restrooms on 17 acres. Funding for this project carried over from last year’s budget.

Upon taking office in 2021, I pulled forward the Thompson Peak Dog Park, which was originally scheduled to open in 2027. Located off Hayden and Thompson Peak, this pet project of mine features three fenced play areas for our four-legged friends to frolic off-leash, shade canopies, benches, restrooms, and water fountains. Scottsdale is truly the top dog-friendly city in the United States. Scheduled to open mid-2025, the Thompson Peak Dog Park will keep us number one. Budgets can be boring, but results are great.

Until next time, enjoy summer!


David D. Ortega is a professional architect, 45 year resident of Scottsdale, and serves as the mayor of Scottsdale.