Mayor discusses Bed Tax and NE Corridor Study

Globe Mayor Al Gameros provides an update on City 

RCAC RETURNS TO GLOBE 

The Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) held its annual board meeting from February 14 through 16, returning to Globe to see how the city has progressed since its last meeting. RCAC consists of 21 board members who provide funding, technical support, and training to 13 states. RCAC assisted Globe in getting started in 2018 when the city’s first-ever Economic Development Department was established. We are appreciative of the initial technical support, training, and funding that they initially provided to get started and their continued support for the future.

City Council and staff has continued their efforts to meet their vision and goals of a sustainable economic base for our city. It has only been five years since initiating our plan, but we still have a way to go to get to the finish line. RCAC’s Assistant Director stated that “Globe has become one of the most successful programs.” Because of the continued success to our plan, we were asked to present at this year’s annual International Economic Development seminar held in Tucson. Globe was also featured in the Brookings Institute Podcast on Developing a Resilient Downtown and was also interviewed by Business News Magazine, which is a national magazine with 2 million subscribers and will be featured in the March edition with an eight-page spread of the City of Globe. 

BED TAX FUNDS 

At the February 13 meeting, the council discussed and heard comments from organizations that receive the bed tax funds. The council discussed this topic at last year’s city retreat and budget discussion, and the council decided to increase the distribution from five organizations to six, which would include the City of Globe. The council appreciates all the comments and all the work that these organizations do, and we look forward to working together.

Numbers and statistics were presented at the meeting on the increase of bed tax revenue since 2017-2018. The amount received by each organization annually has doubled since the city began its marketing initiative. The City’s marketing initiative is not just concentrated on just one organization or group, but is a program that re-invests back into the entire community. At the end of discussion, a vote was held to table this topic and to set up meetings with a three-member council work group and two current board members of each organization to further discuss all options. 

NORTHEAST CORRIDOR STUDY 

Kimley-Horr made a presentation to council regarding the Northeast Corridor Sewer Study. The goals of this study are to: 

Identify new infrastructure for currently unserved areas 

Gauge impacts on the existing collection system 

Identify improvements needed for the existing wastewater plant 

Review all funding opportunities 

Provide a path forward for future development 

Our current city wastewater plant has a permitted capacity of 1.2 million gallons per day. It is currently a Class B effluent, and with the recommendations from this study, the goal is to upgrade it to a Class A plus effluent. Testing monitors will be placed throughout the city to help calculate the actual current flows. The evaluation of the flows will help us determine if another wastewater plant would better serve the future northeast corridor development. 

ANNUAL CITY RETREAT 

The annual City of Globe Strategic Action Plan Retreat was held on February 23. This yearly retreat is a time to review and reinforce what the council’s vision and goals are, both short-term and long-term. Our goal has not changed and has continued to be that of building a financially strong sustainable economic base for our city by controlling our own destiny. Our main goals continue to be focused on upgrades to our aging infrastructure, an increase of recreational opportunities for quality of life for our residents, increasing the housing stock in our community, and economic development and tourism. 

Over 50 projects were discussed, and they were either completed, in progress or anticipated for the future. The statistics presented since 2017 were astounding to hear. The city’s sales tax revenue has increased by 87% and does not include the 1% sales tax increase. One of the most remarkable numbers is the total amount of federal and state grant funds received since 2017 by the city including all departments of $127,156,846.00 

A third-party report was presented that was completed by the Dean Runyan review on the Economic Impact of tourism for 2022. The report shows the following: 

Visitors spent $31.8 million in Globe-Miami, a 7.3% (or 2.2 million) increase compared to 2021 

Visitors spent $9.5 million in accommodations; a 4.8% increase compared to 2021 

Visitors who stayed in a hotel, motel, or short-term vacation rental spent a combined $19 million, a 6.7% increase from 2021 

Overall, the travel industry gained 10 jobs, a 2.8% increase from 2021 

Taxable lodging sales grew to 8.4 million in 2022, a 4.5% increase from 2021 

Overnight visitor volume increased by 10.7% to 84 thousand in-person trips in 2022, of this total hotel, motel, and stvr volume increased by 11.8% and all other overnight volume increased by 9.5% 

The First Friday third party report from Placer.ai for the past twelve months is based on a geo fence around our downtown area, comparing that Friday activity over the last 12 months. The report is as follows: 

Peaked in April at just under 8K visitors 

Plus 105% visits over the last three years 

Peak hours for visits in the downtown district in Globe on First Fridays are between 12 pm and 8 pm 

RESOLUTION 1885 CALL OF ELECTION 

At the February 27 meeting, the council approved Resolution 1885, designating the Primary Election for July 30, 2024, and the General Election for November 5, 2024. 

FIRST FRIDAYS 

First Fridays have become a monthly signature event and continue to grow each month with more participation from downtown businesses, vendors, and cruisers. This event is not only enjoyed by our local residents in the community but by many more people who are now coming from out of town on this day to enjoy the event. Everyone is invited to participate in the downtown cruise that begins at 5:30 pm starting at the Active Adult Center. We invite the community to support the participating businesses downtown and enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors. Anyone wishing to set up a vendor booth during any First Friday event may do so at no cost by contacting Melissa Steele at 928-425-7146.