An unnamed city official summarized Phoenix’s 2025 achievements — from a claimed 50,000 housing-unit milestone to new shelters, transit and water projects — and said the city council voted to reappoint Ed Zuercher as city manager; the transcript does not include a vote tally.

After bids left an estimated $2.3 million shortfall on a $61.2 million Cesar Chavez widening project, the council approved a $2,354,531.80 transfer from impact fees to allow the project to proceed to the ADOT board for award and let construction begin in early 2026.

Council adopted updated subdivision regulations and a zoning text amendment (ordinances 473 and 474) that implement a state law shifting preliminary and final plat approvals to administrative staff; developers urged preserving half-width (phased) street construction while staff and some council members argued change and a modification process protect the city's long-term interests.

Chair Thomas Galvin used a year-end State of the County address to highlight a June balanced budget and five consecutive years of tax-rate cuts, $30 million in detention retention bonuses, a zoning-code overhaul, election-procedure reviews and new animal-care funding.

After a staff presentation and extended council Q&A, the Goodyear City Council voted 5–2 to adopt a four‑year water, wastewater and solid‑waste rate plan (resolution 2025‑2499) that phases roughly 5.8% annual increases, with average residential bills rising about $8.50 next year.

City staff showed two restriping options for Sweetwater Avenue (24th–28th Streets): Option A would retain the current striping and time-of-day parking; Option B would narrow travel lanes to create exclusive bike lanes while preserving parking on one side. Residents urged stronger traffic-calming measures and safer crossings; staff said traffic calming is a separate, resident-driven process and the team will decide after a public survey (open through Jan. 4).

The Injury Prevention Alliance of Phoenix presented 'Survive the Drive,' a data-driven teen driver education program that uses local collision ZIP‑code targeting, interactive modules and hands-on activities. Organizers said classes are free, often include parents, and the program recently won a national award.

City of Phoenix and regional partners launched a holiday public-safety campaign urging residents to avoid illegal fireworks and unsafe tree disposal, outlined free tree drop-off dates, and warned that consumer fireworks can drive hazardous air quality, officials said.

Street Transportation staff described a federally funded stage‑1 Smart Grant pilot using advanced detection and video analytics at about 30 intersections to reduce pedestrian delay at HAWK crossings and detect red‑light running; stage‑2 funding could scale the tech to 100+ locations. Cost per HAWK detection was estimated at $30,000–$35,000.

The Economic Development Advisory Commission authorized staff to investigate and create a public art master plan to guide downtown public-art placement, maintenance and funding; staff recommended an in-house plan to limit consultant costs and complete a draft by next June.

The commission agreed to move forward with an ASU collaboration to study how the I-11/I-40 gateway can be used to direct interstate travelers into downtown Kingman and supported continued tourism and film-industry outreach, including county participation in the American Film Market and partnerships with Discover Inland Empire.

Commissioners voted to send a county zoning ordinance amendment on accessory dwelling units to the Board of Supervisors after a brief executive session for legal advice; staff cited state legislative and ARS statutory requirements prompting the ordinance changes.

Airport staff told commissioners a TSA screening storefront permit is issued and construction is expected to start Jan. 5, 2026 (phase work to keep checkpoint open), the snow‑removal equipment building awaits a possible discretionary FAA determination in January, and terminal landscaping was prioritized by the city's beautification committee for FY27 funding.

Airport staff told the Flagstaff Airport Commission they will apply for the Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant and need local cash and in‑kind commitments to be competitive; staff said they already have two airline letters of support and will ask businesses and partners for pledges when the application opens.

Arizona’s HB 2054 creates an Insurance Review Task Force that will require insurers to report aggregated homeowner policy data annually; Tom Torres of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management told Coconino County supervisors the task force will use wildfirerisk.org modeling to flag areas of heightened home-ignition risk and recommend building-code and mitigation changes.

Sheriff Mark Daniels said a civil‑division employee in County Attorney Lori Zuko’s office was terminated after allegations involving a young girl; Sierra Vista Police led an investigation and the individual was taken into custody near I‑10 and Benson. The investigation is ongoing and Daniels urged victim‑centered support.

Council voted 5-2 on Dec. 16 to continue the Rose 88 North conditional use permit to a Jan. 20 public hearing (consideration Feb. 3) after the applicant requested more time to address traffic and architectural issues and residents voiced strong opposition to proposed apartments.

Finance staff told the Tempe board the district could face roughly a $7.6 million shortfall next year under baseline assumptions; staff presented a menu of options informed by a district survey and recommended targeted savings while protecting core classroom functions.

Council held a public hearing on updated development impact fees after lower-than-expected construction bids reduced projected costs; staff proposed roughly 50% reduction in streets impact fees and will return for final action Jan. 20.

Council approved budget authority and a near-term transfer to support Fountain Hills' participation in national 250th-anniversary events, including a $15,000 current-year transfer and planning authority to spend up to $100,000 for promotions and contracting.

Council continued a public hearing on a new downtown overlay district after residents and several council members raised concerns about proposed residential density. The council voted 5–2 to continue the matter until after their retreat so staff and Planning & Zoning can consider amendments.

The council authorized a five-year lease-purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions to replace and integrate radios, body-worn cameras, in-car video and evidence management for Buckeye Police. Staff cited AI-enabled redaction/transcription and lifecycle cost savings; council discussed privacy limits and expansion options.

Consultant MGT and Buckeye staff previewed a package of updates to the city's user fee schedule, including annual indexing to the International Code Council valuation table, higher grading and concept-site fees, and a proposed general business license with a $25 application and $50 annual fee; staff will post a 60-day public notice and return in March/April.

The Cochise County Jail District Board approved selecting design‑build as the project delivery method for the county’s new jail, with staff saying it shortens schedule (about 15%) and requires a guaranteed maximum price; the board acknowledged trade‑offs, including risk shifting to contractors.

Board updates highlighted classroom vocabulary strategies, instructional coaching, and collaboration to improve literacy for grades 3 and 8; superintendent detailed guardrail 4 measures, including returning 25% of earned revenues to schools and expanding tutoring and field experiences.