In memoriam
Town Councilman Keith McMahan passed away on March 17, 2009
first elected to the council in 2004, Keith was re-elected in 2008. Known as “Mr. Fountain Hills” Keith served as a volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce and many other groups and activities. He also served as an elected member of the Fountain Hills Unified School District and the Road Districts Board of Directors.

Local government in Fountain Hills is focused on providing citizens with the services they need for a quality, stable, 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. The community has also received recognition as Arizona’s Best Affordable Suburb, and is also ranked as one of the nation’s most affluent communities.

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, law enforcement, street maintenance, etc.

Government services may be accessed at Town Hall 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.

The Town of Fountain Hills also has an Internet site detailing such information as community resources, events, administration details, employment opportunities, other information, local links and more. Town Council meetings may be viewed live on the Internet. 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 cable access features a variety of public programming as well as Town Council meetings and other public meetings. The specific daily schedule may be found on the town’s Web site.

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

• MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL -- Town elected officials are responsible for establishing the policies of the town and setting the budget to implement those policies. Listed are the current council members and the year their term ends, and council appointed staff are as follows:

Mayor Jay Schlum (‘10)
Councilman Mike Archambault (‘10)
Councilman Dennis Brown (‘12)
Councilman Dennis Contino (’12)
Councilwoman Ginny Dickey (‘10)
Councilwoman Cassie Hansen (‘12)
Councilman Henry Leger (‘10)
Town Manager -  Rick Davis
Town Attorney - Andrew McGuire
Town Magistrate - Ted Armbruster

• ADMINISTRATION -- The town manager oversees operations with the help of key staff including deputy town manager/finance director, town clerk, 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 Rick Davis.
  
  
• PUBLIC WORKS -- The town’s Public Works Division includes the Engineering and Street departments, as well as facilities and open space maintenance. Tom Ward is public works director. Engineering performs all civil engineering for the Street Department and related tasks; inspects and approves new construction in town such as streets, sidewalks, subdivision grading, etc.; coordinates with Community Development Department on plan reviews for such things as hillside, drainage, flood control, subdivisions, re-plats, etc. Randy Harrel is town engineer. The Street Department 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.
  
  
• PLANNING & BUILDING SAFETY -- Responsible for short and long-term planning and zoning; enforces Zoning Ordinances; reviews zoning cases brought forth by developers and other property owners; oversees the Building Safety Department; provides staff for Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment (variances to Zoning Ordinances). The town’s code enforcement bureau operates within this department. Richard Turner is the planning and zoning 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.
  
  
• 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 court is also home to one of several Teen Court programs in Maricopa County. 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 Recreation director.
  
  
• CITIZEN COMMISSIONS -- 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, Senior Services Advisory Commission and the Strategic Planning 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 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
• The Community Center Advisory Commission meets the third Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center.
• The Senior Services Advisory Commission meets the fourth Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m., at the Community Center.
• The Public Safety Advisory Commission meets at Town Hall quarterly at a time and date to be announced.
• The Strategic Planning Advisory Commission meets monthly as coordinated with members.

All public meetings are posted with agenda at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled time.     

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 2009 and where to write or call:

TOWN COUNCIL

• Mayor Jay Schlum (‘10) and Council Members Mike Archambault (‘10), Dennis Brown (’12), Dennis Contino (’12), Ginny Dickey (‘10), Cassie Hansen (’12), Henry Leger (‘10). (term expires)
• Town Hall, 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268; (480) 816-5100. Web site address: 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 Melanie Anderelli (’10), Vice President Dr. C.T. Wright (’10), board members, Pat Green (’12), Helen Howard (’10) and. Dana Saar (‘12),
• District No. 98 administration offices, 16000 Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268; (480) 664-5000. Web site address: www.fhusd.org.
  
  

SANITARY DISTRICT

• Board Chairman Tom Reski* (’09), Bob Thomson (’11), and Directors Bruce Hansen (’11), Mike Howard (’11), and Vice Chairman Glenn Panaro* (’09),
• Sanitary District office, 16941 E. Pepperwood Circle, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268; (480) 837-9444. Web site address: 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) 471-3155, callen@azleg.state.az.us.
• Gov. Jan Brewer, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 542-4331, fax (602) 542-1381.
  
  

U.S. CONGRESS  

• Congressman Harry E. Mitchell (District 5), 1410 Longworth House Office 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) 224-4521; 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; 5353 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, (602) 952-2410; or 7403 Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282, (480) 897-6289.
  
  

U.S. PRESIDENT  

• President Barack H. Obama, White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20500; (202) 456-1414.

*The terms of these office holders expire during the next year and they are subject to re-election in 2009.