Page 6 February 2012 This month’s report from Councilman Sal DiCiccio While Phoenix has most of the same challenges and opportunities in fi ghting through the recession and for signi fi cant reform as previously, a third of the city council has turned over, and some changes are evident. Trends are evolving. Here are a few thumbnail sketches of issues we’ll be engaged in this year: Jobs creation task force Probably the most signi fi cant development is the formation of an ad hoc task force with the goal to make Phoenix the very best place to do business in the country. Councilman Tom Simplot and I have been asked to be co-chairmen, as we did a more limited effort two years ago. This group, made up of more than 100 business and civic leaders, is working to get government out of the way of jobs creation by speeding up the permitting and inspections process and signi fi cantly lowering the government permission cost of starting or expanding a business. It will allow for same-day permitting and reduced risk factors in starting a business. We hope to have that done in the spring. Labor negotiations Public unions have demanded pay raises, multiple increases in bene fi ts and higher compensation for speci fi c jobs and shifts and for greater ability to veto things they don’t like. Negotiations have begun. I believe that after a fi ve-year run in the middle of the recession when employee compensation increased 23 percent, there should be no raises this contract. I like Councilman Bill Gates’ “buffet” recommendation that any conversation about increases should be done comparing it to restoring services, including senior centers, after-school programs, recreation, libraries, and the like. Also, we should look at lowering – or at least not raising – water and other fees. City budget The budget looks less fragile this year, with revenues climbing a bit, but nothing to spawn a parade. We’re told Phoenix doesn’t need to employ accounting gimmicks and sweeps this year nor implement major cuts. Of course, that doesn’t account for bringing back levels of services or new spending requests. And bond projects remain pushed back. We also have to make up for the end of the food tax, which was promised by the middle of next year. The new council While the new mayor and I disagree on some directions for the city, he is supportive of many reforms, including the jobs creation reform mentioned above and the overriding push to make Phoenix the best – not just “good” or “better” – at everything. Also, several council members seem to have picked out areas they’re going to focus on and explore them more deeply than previously, so that should give us broader and deeper vetting of issues than previously, when the staff was relied upon more heavily. Those areas included budgeting, procurement, spending, ef fi ciency and transparency. Redistricting Phoenix is required to adjust council district boundaries following the 2010 Census to create districts of equal size. The fi rst requirement always is to protect minority voting patterns, and then to create districts of similar interest. Continued on page 16 F E A T U R E D B U I L D E R A R C A D I A H O M E Remodels in progress... Scott R. Jung, General Contractor LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED ROC# 163087 602-224-9899 • 3605 N. 44th St. www.SRJConstructionandDesign.com SRJbuildsit@cox.net p g p g ss... ss... This home is soon to be another SRJ SRJ Arcadia charmer Great location! Are you looking now to purchase, remodel or add more space? Call Scott for your upcoming project needs. Front Front Back w • A Spanish Immersion preschool program for children ages 2 to 5 • High quality early childhood education with low student to teacher ratios • Center-based curriculum includes language, art, music, science, math and world culture. OPEN ENROLLMENT Learn more about Summer and Fall 2012 Registration Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool Phone: 602.910.4417 • 4601 N. 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018 We are located on the Biltmore Preparatory Academy Campus www.littlebigmindspreschool.com Give your kids the gift of early childhood bilingualism 90% of alumni respondents rate their overall satisfaction with All Saints’ as “high” or “very high.” – Independent Alumni Survey, 2011 ";L:8K@E> ?@C;I<E%<8;KF0FLC All Faiths Welcome • Pre-K through Eighth Grade • Financial Aid Available 6300 North Central Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85012 602.274.4866 www.aseds.org Visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/PhoenixASEDS Call Today to Schedule a Tour Limited Space Available for the 2012 – 2013 School Year

2011 Tavan School District Sales Results (1/1/2011 – 12/31/2011) Active Homes - 68 Homes Homes Sold - 203 Homes Average Sale Price - $265,505 Average Sold $ Per SF - $128 Average Days On Market - 102 Days • There is currently 5.6 months of home inventory (Based on 2010 sales results) • 2011 total home sales have increased 28% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Home prices have decreased 9% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • $ Per SF prices have decreased 9% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Homes are taking 27% less time to sell this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) 2010 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Results Homes Sold - 145 Homes Homes Sold - 145 Homes Average Sale Price - $294,278 Average Sale Price - $294,278 Average Sold $ Per SF - $142 Average Sold $ Per SF - $142 Average Days On Market - 140 Days Average Days On Market - 140 Days 2009 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 135 Homes Average Sale Price - $321,858 Average Sold $ Per SF - $154 Average Days On Market - 129 Days 2008 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 107 Homes Average Sale Price - $412,687 Average Sold $ Per SF - $203 Average Days On Market - 140 Days 2007 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Results Homes Sold - 147 Homes Homes Average Sale Price - $486, $486,045 045 Average Sold $ Per SF - $238 Average Sold $ Per SF - $238 Average Days On Market - 113 D Average Days On Market - 113 Days ays Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2011 Hopi School District Sales Results (1/1/2011 – 12/31/2011) Active Homes - 116 Homes Homes Sold - 238 Homes Average Sale Price - $635,344 Average Sold $ Per SF - $197 Average Days On Market - 124 days • There is currently 6.9 months of home inventory (based on 2010 results) • 2011 home sales have increased 15%. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Home prices have decreased 5% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • $ Per SF prices have decreased 1.5% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Homes are taking 2% less time to sell this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) 2010 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 202 Homes Average Sale Price - $670,142 Average Sold $ Per SF - $200 Average Days On Market - 156 Days 2009 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 140 Homes Average Sale Price - $754,006 Average Sold $ Per SF - $239 Average Days On Market - 185 Days 2008 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 121 Homes Average Sale Price - $1,002,622 Average Sold $ Per SF - $307 Average Sale Price - $1,079,446 Average Sold $ Per SF - $361 Average Days On Market - 131 Days 3445 N. Valencia • $650,000 20,533 square foot lot Arizona Country Club Lot Call today about my flexible commission program geared to save you money. YOUR HOME HERE! Arcadia New Build 6012 E. Calle Del Paisano • $1,275,000 5 Bedroom / 5 Bath • 3,800 square feet Arcadia Fixer-Upper 6430 E. Calle Redondo • $525,000 4 Bed / 3 Bath • 2,520 square fee t 5233 E. Flower • $1,000,000 5 bedroom/ 4 bath /4,044 square feet Charming Arcadia Ranch visit Tommy Atkinson .com Free MLS Access • Complete list of ALL Hopi properties for sale Complete List of ALL Tavan properties for sale • Complete list of ALL Arcadia foreclosures Tommy Atkinson Cell: 602-625-6020 • www.tommyatkinson.com If you are buying , selling or leasing a home in Arcadia, call Tommy! Charming Arcadia Ranch 5520 E. Cheery Lynn • $360,000 4 Bed / 2 Bath • 1,800 square fee t 2011 Hopi School (1/1/2011 – 12/31/20 Active Homes - Homes Sold - Average Sale Price - Average Sold $ Per S Average Days On Mar • There is currently 6.9 m • 2011 home sales have • Home prices have decr • $ Per SF prices have de • Homes are taking 2% le 2010 Hopi Schoo Homes Sold - Average Sale Price - Average Sold $ Per S Average Days On Mar 2009 Hopi Schoo Homes Sold - Average Sale Price - Average Sold $ Per S Average Days On Mar 2008 Hopi Schoo Homes Sold - Average Sale Price - Average Sold $ Per S Average Sale Price - Average Sold $ Per S Average Days On Ma visit Free MLS Access • Compl Complete List of ALL Tavan properties fo