Flood damage causes $1 million shortfall in initial city budget projections

Council awards $33,419 contract for emergency sewer line repair

Arizona Water Company launches local conservation initiative

Council approves 84-foot cell tower at Walmart despite resident health concerns

City directs planning commission to draft comprehensive cell tower ordinance

Council averts 30 percent health insurance spike, renews consulting contract

Gila Community College nears full accreditation, prepares for ballot initiative

Flood damage causes $1 million shortfall in initial city budget projections

GLOBE, Ariz. — City of Globe revenues are forecasted to fall approximately $1 million below the current budget, largely due to recent flood impacts, according to preliminary fiscal 2026-27 budget presentations. Sales tax revenues alone are projected to fall $875,000 short of expectations. Despite the shortfall, the draft budget preserves an annual 2.5 percent merit raise for city employees, with officials noting that staff retention remains a critical priority that must be funded to ensure city services continue without disruption.

Council awards $33,419 contract for emergency sewer line repair

GLOBE, Ariz. — The council awarded a $33,419 contract to a contracting firm to repair a damaged 6-inch city sewer line near a residential intersection. Public works staff discovered the underground pipe connection had unexpectedly shifted, causing a minor sewage overflow earlier this year. Because the site involves an 8-foot excavation, tight corners and a web of gas, water and overhead power utilities, the city opted to contract the specialized repair rather than utilizing internal staff.

⚠ FLAG — Incomplete information: The contracting firm and the residential intersection are not identified. These should be named before publication.

Arizona Water Company launches local conservation initiative

GLOBE, Ariz. — Representatives from Arizona Water Company presented the launch of the "From the Ground Up" campaign, a water-conservation education initiative created in partnership with the city of Globe, the town of Miami and the town of Winkelman. The initiative aims to educate the public on water conservation through social media and adult education workshops, and it also promotes a regional water-conservation event. The program also highlights existing rebates for high-efficiency toilets and free conservation kits available to residents.

Council approves 84-foot cell tower at Walmart despite resident health concerns

GLOBE, Ariz. — The council unanimously approved a planned area development zoning overlay to allow an 84-foot Verizon wireless communications tower on the U.S. Highway 60 Walmart property. The decision followed a deadlocked 2-2 vote by the planning and zoning commission. A local resident spoke out against the tower during the public hearing, citing radiation and health concerns. However, legal counsel for the applicant reminded the council that the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits municipalities from denying cell tower placements based on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions.

City directs planning commission to draft comprehensive cell tower ordinance

GLOBE, Ariz. — Recognizing a lack of local regulations for expanding wireless infrastructure, the council unanimously directed the planning and zoning commission to develop a text amendment regulating the installation of wireless communication towers. The new ordinance would give the city greater control over tower aesthetics, such as requiring camouflage designs like faux pine trees, and would include provisions mandating the removal of unused or abandoned towers.

Council averts 30 percent health insurance spike, renews consulting contract

GLOBE, Ariz. — The council agreed to move forward with a 9 percent increase to employee health insurance premiums for the upcoming fiscal year, significantly lower than the nearly 30 percent hike initially anticipated. City officials credited a benefits consulting firm with successfully negotiating the lower rate on behalf of the city and its workers. Following the budget presentation, the council unanimously approved a three-year contract renewal to continue providing the city with healthcare consulting services.

Gila Community College nears full accreditation, prepares for ballot initiative

GLOBE, Ariz. — Gila Community College is on track to receive full initial accreditation by early June, President Janice Lawhorn told the council. The milestone would establish the institution as fully independent. However, the college continues to face financial penalties for exceeding a state-mandated expenditure limitation established in 1980. Lawhorn said a voter initiative will appear on the November ballot asking residents to adjust the base limit. She said the measure would not increase property taxes but would allow the college to spend the tax revenue it already collects without incurring state penalties.

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