Background
Incumbent. Stipp was elected to the Goodyear City Council in 2011.
Name of Committee: Friends of Bill Stipp
Lists an address north of Interstate 10.
Name of Committee: Friends of Bill Stipp
Lists an address north of Interstate 10.
Q&A Interview Responses
1. Tell me about yourself and why you are running for City Council.
I was elected to my first council term in 2011 and I’m running again to continue to serve the City of Goodyear because of my love and passion for our great city. I have no agendas or future political aspirations. My priorities as a Councilmember include: Supporting conservative fiscal policies, government efficiency, assisting small businesses, maintaining our up-scale community standards and protecting our neighborhoods with strong public safety agencies. I am a public sector consultant who works with local governments on strategic planning and organizational assessments along with providing services to the Military as a subject matter expert in Homeland Defense Operations. I’ve been married for 28 years and have two children.
2. What experience do you have qualifying you as a good representative for our All-America City? How many hours a week can you devote to serving
on City Council? (Time includes meetings, attending events, and reviewing reading materials.)
I’ve served on the Goodyear City Council for the past years as the city climbed out of the worse economic downturn since the Depression. We’ve instituted a
number of Strategic Policies that have helped emerge stronger despite an overall budget reduction of more than $200 million. I’ve served on the Arizona Municipal
Water Users Association Board of Directors ensuring the sustainability of Arizona’s water resources and on the National League of Cities Public Safety
Steering Committee creating National advocacy positions for use on Washington DC’s Capital Hill. My work as a Consultant for Cities, Towns and Special Districts
allows me to work throughout the country and bring best practices from other communities back to our city.
I currently dedicate between 20-30 hours per week on Council Duties but it widely fluctuates. My work schedule is flexible enough that I am able to attend
numerous meetings at City Hall as well as represent the City at regional events.
3. What is one thing you would like to change or improve at Goodyear’s City Hall?
We need to start examining what the results of the efficiencies that we’ve created in the past two years. I’ve asked that we look at reducing the food tax this Spring
to ease the burden on the residents while maintaining the high quality services that they expect.
4. What are your thoughts on the City of Goodyear’s water needs? Under what circumstances would you approve a water rate hike?
Within the past two years, the City has undertaken significant steps to secure our long-term water needs and drought-proof our city. The least expensive source of water for the city is actually purchasing it from the Central Arizona Project (CAP). The cost of purchasing water is rapidly increasing due to the funding
mechanisms in place to repay the federal debt on the project.
We have recently formed a citizens committee to look at both our needs and the fee structures. The Council is relying on this committee’s recommendation when
making any decisions regarding the rates. As a result of only a portion of the City being served by city water, it is important that the user fees cover the costs
without passing costs on to the whole city. The decision whether to increase the rates will be based on the Citizen Committee recommendation and the actual
cost to operate the water system. Remember, the Water Utility is not a “for profit” enterprise and must cover its own costs.
5. It’s recently been reported that the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority may be unable to repay the City of Goodyear $57.5 million in its investment
for the ballpark. What are your thoughts on that and what suggestions will you make for creating new revenue at the ballpark?
While AzSTA has reported a delay in starting their reimbursements to the City, we will begin to make the full bond payments on time in 2018. Three years ago,
the City Council, through policy, created a plan to ensure that we have the capacity to make our payments on time. The City has placed emphasis on
continually improving the revenue sources for the ballpark. We are fortunate that the Goodyear Ballpark is the #1 used Spring-training park in all of the Cactus
League.
6. Do you support an allowance for police and fire uniforms? Do you feel Goodyear under or over supports its police and fire employees?
Uniform allowances for public safety employees have been in place for more than 20 years. This type of benefit is common for public safety employees
throughout the Valley and certainly within our benchmark cities. The City Council and City Manager believe that all of our employees are crucial to the success
that we continue to have. Citizen Satisfaction surveys rate, at greater than 90%, their overall satisfaction with the City. We could not achieve that without investing
in all of our employees. Public Safety is just an aspect of that investment.
7. The City of Goodyear has ample room for more business/industry at convenient locations along the Interstate. If you had to choose, would youfocus more on acquiring new business or providing more support for existing businesses? Why?
We must do both simultaneously. It sounds like a “political speak” answer, but we must support the businesses that we have while seeking new businesses. The
City Council has directed the manager to ensure that both of these strategies are being executed. Currently, the Economic Development Department has a staff member assigned specifically to supporting current businesses in a way that we have not done before. We must do more to support the businesses that we have.
8. Surprise has Uptown Alley. Avondale has the American Sports Centers. Do you feel Goodyear is in need of more family friendly entertainment
business? If so, how would you help make that happen?
Goodyear absolutely needs more family-oriented entertainment venues. When the City Council approved the strategic plan for economic development,
entertainment was made a top priority. Recently, we announced, in partnership with Macherich, the addition of a new Cine Capri Harkins Theater that will be
unique to the West Valley.
9. If you had a magic wand, what would you like to see Goodyear accomplish in the next five years?
I would like to see the elimination of the food tax while providing community parks for Central and Southern Goodyear to complement the community park
north of Thomas. In addition, I would like to see Goodyear achieve its goal of bringing an accredited university to the City.
10. How do you envision Goodyear 20 years from now?
If we stay on course, remain patient and follow the plans that our residents have been part of creating, we will continue to be a well-run city that is financially
stable. Our transportation and parks master plans have outlined strong strategies to bring these amenities and services to our city. The recently passed General
Plan has outlined how we want our city zoned, what type of amenities and services we will deliver. Much like the stock market, we need to be in it for the
long-term.
I was elected to my first council term in 2011 and I’m running again to continue to serve the City of Goodyear because of my love and passion for our great city. I have no agendas or future political aspirations. My priorities as a Councilmember include: Supporting conservative fiscal policies, government efficiency, assisting small businesses, maintaining our up-scale community standards and protecting our neighborhoods with strong public safety agencies. I am a public sector consultant who works with local governments on strategic planning and organizational assessments along with providing services to the Military as a subject matter expert in Homeland Defense Operations. I’ve been married for 28 years and have two children.
2. What experience do you have qualifying you as a good representative for our All-America City? How many hours a week can you devote to serving
on City Council? (Time includes meetings, attending events, and reviewing reading materials.)
I’ve served on the Goodyear City Council for the past years as the city climbed out of the worse economic downturn since the Depression. We’ve instituted a
number of Strategic Policies that have helped emerge stronger despite an overall budget reduction of more than $200 million. I’ve served on the Arizona Municipal
Water Users Association Board of Directors ensuring the sustainability of Arizona’s water resources and on the National League of Cities Public Safety
Steering Committee creating National advocacy positions for use on Washington DC’s Capital Hill. My work as a Consultant for Cities, Towns and Special Districts
allows me to work throughout the country and bring best practices from other communities back to our city.
I currently dedicate between 20-30 hours per week on Council Duties but it widely fluctuates. My work schedule is flexible enough that I am able to attend
numerous meetings at City Hall as well as represent the City at regional events.
3. What is one thing you would like to change or improve at Goodyear’s City Hall?
We need to start examining what the results of the efficiencies that we’ve created in the past two years. I’ve asked that we look at reducing the food tax this Spring
to ease the burden on the residents while maintaining the high quality services that they expect.
4. What are your thoughts on the City of Goodyear’s water needs? Under what circumstances would you approve a water rate hike?
Within the past two years, the City has undertaken significant steps to secure our long-term water needs and drought-proof our city. The least expensive source of water for the city is actually purchasing it from the Central Arizona Project (CAP). The cost of purchasing water is rapidly increasing due to the funding
mechanisms in place to repay the federal debt on the project.
We have recently formed a citizens committee to look at both our needs and the fee structures. The Council is relying on this committee’s recommendation when
making any decisions regarding the rates. As a result of only a portion of the City being served by city water, it is important that the user fees cover the costs
without passing costs on to the whole city. The decision whether to increase the rates will be based on the Citizen Committee recommendation and the actual
cost to operate the water system. Remember, the Water Utility is not a “for profit” enterprise and must cover its own costs.
5. It’s recently been reported that the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority may be unable to repay the City of Goodyear $57.5 million in its investment
for the ballpark. What are your thoughts on that and what suggestions will you make for creating new revenue at the ballpark?
While AzSTA has reported a delay in starting their reimbursements to the City, we will begin to make the full bond payments on time in 2018. Three years ago,
the City Council, through policy, created a plan to ensure that we have the capacity to make our payments on time. The City has placed emphasis on
continually improving the revenue sources for the ballpark. We are fortunate that the Goodyear Ballpark is the #1 used Spring-training park in all of the Cactus
League.
6. Do you support an allowance for police and fire uniforms? Do you feel Goodyear under or over supports its police and fire employees?
Uniform allowances for public safety employees have been in place for more than 20 years. This type of benefit is common for public safety employees
throughout the Valley and certainly within our benchmark cities. The City Council and City Manager believe that all of our employees are crucial to the success
that we continue to have. Citizen Satisfaction surveys rate, at greater than 90%, their overall satisfaction with the City. We could not achieve that without investing
in all of our employees. Public Safety is just an aspect of that investment.
7. The City of Goodyear has ample room for more business/industry at convenient locations along the Interstate. If you had to choose, would youfocus more on acquiring new business or providing more support for existing businesses? Why?
We must do both simultaneously. It sounds like a “political speak” answer, but we must support the businesses that we have while seeking new businesses. The
City Council has directed the manager to ensure that both of these strategies are being executed. Currently, the Economic Development Department has a staff member assigned specifically to supporting current businesses in a way that we have not done before. We must do more to support the businesses that we have.
8. Surprise has Uptown Alley. Avondale has the American Sports Centers. Do you feel Goodyear is in need of more family friendly entertainment
business? If so, how would you help make that happen?
Goodyear absolutely needs more family-oriented entertainment venues. When the City Council approved the strategic plan for economic development,
entertainment was made a top priority. Recently, we announced, in partnership with Macherich, the addition of a new Cine Capri Harkins Theater that will be
unique to the West Valley.
9. If you had a magic wand, what would you like to see Goodyear accomplish in the next five years?
I would like to see the elimination of the food tax while providing community parks for Central and Southern Goodyear to complement the community park
north of Thomas. In addition, I would like to see Goodyear achieve its goal of bringing an accredited university to the City.
10. How do you envision Goodyear 20 years from now?
If we stay on course, remain patient and follow the plans that our residents have been part of creating, we will continue to be a well-run city that is financially
stable. Our transportation and parks master plans have outlined strong strategies to bring these amenities and services to our city. The recently passed General
Plan has outlined how we want our city zoned, what type of amenities and services we will deliver. Much like the stock market, we need to be in it for the
long-term.
Bill Stipp's interview Q&A responses can be viewed here.
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