Annexations, aquatic center still priorities
The town must make budget cuts in the millions of dollars following the voters’ rejection of the Home Rule Option in last week’s primary election, but it doesn’t know exactly how much yet.
Mayor Tom Rankin and Town Manager Charles Montoya indicated they remain committed to plans, expensive at least in the short term, that may have turned off some voters — building a new aquatic center, and annexing more than 4,000 people into the town limits. The two spoke to Anthem residents in the Sun City ballroom last Thursday morning.
The council members present at Tuesday’s regular meeting unanimously approved the town’s Magic Ranch and Arizona Farms annexations. Those residents become town residents in 30 days, and will be eligible to vote to fill two council seats on the Nov. 4 general election. The annexations passed 5-0, with Tara Walter and Vallarie Woolridge absent.
Town staff are researching the state constitution, state statutes and official opinions of the Arizona Attorney General to determine exactly what the loss of Home Rule will mean to the town, Assistant Town Manager Jess Knudson said.
