Local government in Fountain Hills is focused on being an organization there to provide citizens with the services they need for a quality, strong, livable community. Fountain Hills takes pride in and strives to maintain the quality of life that has it ranked by Phoenix Magazine as one of the top places to live in the Phoenix area for two consecutive years.

Town government is on the front lines in providing citizens services on a daily basis.

In the Town of Fountain Hills, municipal government provides resident services and is a good source of information for newcomers or other residents who have questions about the community, their neighborhood, zoning ordinances, Town Code, police protection, street maintenance, etc.

Government services may be accessed at Town Hall building located at 16705 Avenue of the Fountains at La Montana Drive.  The main phone number is (480) 816-5100; fax number is (480) 837-3145.

Here is a brief description of each town department and the responsibilities of each.

• ADMINISTRATION — The town manager oversees operations with the help of key staff  including the assistant to the town manager, town clerk, finance director, administrative assistants, etc.; who are responsible for day-to-day operations, computer services, record keeping, data entry, licensing, payroll, accounting, Town Council administrative duties, facility management, loss control, etc. Town Manager is Tim Pickering.
  
  
• PUBLIC WORKS – The town’s Public Works Division includes the Building Safety, Community Development, Engineering and Street departments. Tom Ward is Public Works director.
  
  
• BUILDING SAFETY — Oversees all new construction and major additions and remodels; ensures local safety codes are met for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, structural require­ments, etc.; has no architectural or aesthetic control. Peter Johnson is building official.
  
  
• COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT — Responsible for short and long-term planning and zoning; enforces Zoning Ordinances; reviews zoning cases brought forth by developers and other property owners; oversees Building Safety Department; staff contact for Plann­ing and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment (variances to Zoning Ordinances). Oversees the code enforcement bureau. Richard Turner is the planning and zoning administrator.
  
  
• ENGINEERING — Performs all civil engineering for Street Department and related tasks; inspects and approves new construction in town such as streets, sidewalks, subdivision grading, etc.; coordinates with Community Development Dept. on plan reviews for such things as hillside, drainage, flood control, subdivisions, replats, etc. Randy Harrel is town engineer.
• STREET — Maintains all public streets, alleys, rights-of-way and traffic-related equipment; erects and maintains appropriate street and traffic signage; provides traffic control signage and other equipment for special events, etc. Superintendent of Streets Ken Kurth oversees operations.

• MUNICIPAL COURT — The Municipal Court hears non-felony cases generated within Fountain Hills, primarily traffic-related offenses; also hears other misdemeanor cases, some criminal, and it issues orders of protection and restraining orders. The court has jurisdiction over ordinance violations cited in the community. The Honorable Ted Armbruster is presiding judge

• PARKS AND RECREATION — Coordinates many local recreational and leisure programs, activities and sports leagues for pre­schoolers, youths, adults, families and seniors; responsible for public park planning, construction and maintenance; staff contact for Parks and Recreation Commission. The department also schedules events and activities in Fountain Park and the Fountain Hills Community Center. Mark Mayer is Parks and Rec director.

The Town of Fountain Hills has an Internet site detailing such information as community resources, events, administration details, employment opportunities, other information, local links and more. The Web site may be accessed at www.fh.az.gov. The town also operates the government access channel on Cox Cable Channel 11.

The Town Council appoints citizens to several panels, including the Planning and Zoning and Parks and Recreation commissions, Board of Adjustment, McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission, Community Center Advisory Commission, Public Safety Advisory Commission and Senior Services Advisory Commission.

Public meetings are scheduled regularly as follows:

• Town Council meets the first and third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall's council chambers.
• Planning and Zoning Commission meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
• The Parks and Recreation Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
• The Board of Adjustment meets on an as-needed basis the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., also at Town Hall.
• The McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at Town Hall.

Town elected officials, and the year their term ends, and council appointed staff are as follows:

Mayor Wally Nichols (‘08)

Councilman Mike Archambault (‘10)
Councilwoman Ginny Dickey (‘10)
Councilman Henry Leger (‘10)
Councilman Keith McMahan (‘08)
Councilman Edwin Kehe (‘08)
Councilman Jay Schlum (‘08)

Town Manager -  Timothy Pickering

Town Attorney - Andrew McGuire

Town Magistrate - Ted Armbruster

Government officials and contact information

Citizens often have reason to contact their government representatives, and Fountain Hills residents are no different, they might wish to register a complaint, a compliment or make a suggestion.

Here's a listing of key elected officials as of June 2007 and where to write or call:

TOWN COUNCIL

• Mayor Wally Nichols (‘08) and Council Members Mike Archambault (‘10), Ginny Dickey (‘10), Henry Leger (‘10), Edwin Kehe (‘08), Keith McMahan (‘08), and Jay Schlum (‘08). (term expires)

• Town Hall, 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268; (480) 816-5100. www.fh.az.gov. E-mail to the council is possible at towncouncil@fh.az.gov.

• Municipal Court, Town Hall; Presiding Judge Ted Armbruster; (480) 816-5100 ext. 102.
  

SCHOOL BOARD

• Board President Helen Howard, Vice President Dana Saar, board members Melanie Anderelli, Pat Green and Dr. T.C. Wright.

• District No. 98 administration offices, 16000 Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268; (480) 664-5000. www.fhusd.org.
  

SANITARY DISTRICT

• Board Chairman Bruce Hansen and Directors Mike Howard, Glenn Panaro, Tom Reski and Vice Chairman Bob Thomson.

• Sanitary District office, 16941 E. Pepperwood Circle, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268; (480) 837-9444. www.az-fhsd.gov.
  

MARICOPA COUNTY

• Supervisor Don Stapley (District 2), 301 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003; (602) 506-3415.

• Justice Court McDowell Mountain Precinct (Scottsdale), 18380 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, (602) 372-7000, fax (602) 372-7910.
  

ARIZONA LEGISLATURE (District 8)

• Representative Michele Reagan, 1700 W. Washington, House Wing, Room 119, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 926-5828, fax (602) 417-3008, mreagan@azleg.state.az.us.

• Representative John Kavanagh, 1700 W. Washington, House Wing, Room 307, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 926-5170, fax (602) 417-3108, jkavanagh@azleg.state.az.us.

• Senator Carolyn Allen, 1700 W. Washington, Senate Wing, Room 303, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 926-4480, fax (602) 542-3429, callen@azleg.state.az.us.

• Gov. Janet Napolitano, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 542-4331, fax (602) 542-1381.
  

U.S. CONGRESS

• Congressman Harry E. Mitchell (District 5), 2434 Rayburn Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-0306; (202) 225-2190; 7201 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 335, Scottsdale, AZ 85260; (480) 946-2411.

• Senator Jon Kyl, 730 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; (202) 224-2521; 2200 E. Camelback, Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85016; (602) 840-1891.

• Senator John McCain, 241 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; (202) 224-2235; 2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, No. 1150, Phoenix, AZ, (602) 952-2410; or 7403 Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, AZ, (480) 897-2689.

U.S. PRESIDENT

• President George W. Bush, White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20500; (202) 456-1414.