The key to effective Town government is for policy makers to be attuned to the needs and wants of its constituents. Not easy in many levels of government but super-easy in a small town where you see your elected officials walking around town, eating in restaurants and shopping in stores, the same as you.
And we want to hear what you are thinking and what you think we can be doing better. Mayor Crane will be meeting people in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion the second Friday of every month with an additional Council member or two. He is also routinely available in Town Hall, by email at [email protected] and by phone at (480) 488-3686. Council member Amorosa will continue to be at the post office talking to residents and I will be setting up shop in the Visitor’s Center every Wednesday from 11-1 beginning in November.
There are many things happening right now and we are all available to answer your questions and address your concerns.
First and foremost, next year, in November 2024, we will be voting to approve a new general plan update. The General Plan is the foundational document that guides the Town through the next 10-20 years of community planning and growth management. The document establishes the vision for the desired future of Carefree and then utilizes a series of goals, policies, actions and maps to achieve implementation. It is a conceptual plan for evaluating existing development conditions, making forecasts, and outlining broad policies that the Town will use to implement its vision through other more specific plans and measures.
State Law requires General plans to be updated every 10 years. Since the existing Carefree General plan was last ratified on November 6, 2012 and due to delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now at he next 10-year planning horizon. State Law also requires the General Plan to be adopted by the Town Council and ultimately by the voters of Carefree. The General Plan Update is schedule to be placed on the November 2024 ballot for final voter ratification.
This is your chance to take part in the future of Carefree. There have been a number of community workshops to date with one more scheduled on October 11 at 5pm at 33 Easy Street. After this last workshop, plans will be available for review from October-December and will then be on the ballot in 2024.
We hope you will take part in this important part of the future of Carefree.
Cheryl Kroyer
Vice Mayor, Town of Carefree
