Fire Board OKs Site For New Station
Some residents opposed to location— Considering a class action lawsuit
By Meghan McCoy
The News
APACHE JUNCTION — The Apache Junction Fire District Governing Board unanimously approved the purchase of property for a new fire station in Gold Canyon at a special meeting held on Wednesday, December 12, 2007.
   The $465,000 parcel on lot 24 of the Montana Dorado subdivision of Gold Canyon was purchased on Friday, December 15, using funds from bond money, which was approved by voters in 2006. But last week’s fire board decision was not without opposition. The meeting drew approximately a dozen concerned home owners from the Vista del Corazon subdivision in Gold Canyon, who shared their thoughts during the call to the public portion of the meeting.
   Finding a suitable location has proven to be a difficult task for the fire district. The district has been searching for a location that will service the greatest amount of citizens in Gold Canyon for two years, said Fire Marshal David Montgomery.
   Two parcels previously considered by the district, in the Quail Canyon and Kings Ranch neighborhoods of Gold Canyon, did not receive the necessary approval of 75 percent of the residents. The district was then forced to continue their search elsewhere, Montgomery said.

See A-1 and see Fire Station, A-5
 

City Deals With Revenue Shortfall
Revenue short-falls have occurred at mid-year for the past 3 years, but rise as fiscal year progresses
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- For the third year in a row, and like other East Valley cities, the City of Apache Junction is facing a midyear revenue shortfall. According to Apache Junction Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell, the mid-year revenue shortage of approximately $750,000 in the current 2007-2008 city budget was expected.
   For the past three years expenditures have outpaced revenues in the early months of the fiscal year (beginning July 1), with a steady reversal coming over the latter portion of the budget year, resulting in revenues exceeding expenses by year end, according to Powell.
   For example, in Fiscal Year 2005-06 expenditures outpaced revenue for the first seven months with a correction taking place during the last five months and ending in a positive year-end balance of $636,748. Similarly in first three months of Fiscal Year 2006-07 expenditures also exceeded revenues but evened out over the next three months with a continuing increase in revenue occurring over the course of the remaining six months, resulting in a positive balance of $645,935 being achieved by year end.

See A-1

Council To Rule On Major Retail Center
Long agenda for final meeting of 2007
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- City Council will convene for the last regular session of 2007 on Tuesday, December 18 and work through a jam-packed agenda of more than 20 items, including a resolution to approve a development agreement for a 450,000 square foot retail center.
   A Public Hearing will be held on resolution 07-50, authorizing the passage of a development agreement for the proposed Apache Junction Gateway retail development planned for the southeast corner of U.S. 60 and Idaho Road. A second hearing will be held on a request to rezone 80 acres from Light Industry and Warehouse Zone by Planned Development to General Commercial District by Planned Development, to accommodate the proposed retail project.
   Public Hearings will also be held on potential projects for the 2008 Community Development Block Grant and State Special Project funding, along with a liquor license transfer application for Lucky Liquor.  
   The Consent Agenda includes approvals for a contract renewal with GBI and Associations for background investigation on public safety applicants not to exceed $50,000 for 2008; an amendment to a contract with Williams and Associates for a one year extension and increase in compensation not to exceed $40,000 for government relations services; a Professional Services Agreement with a retail coach for the provision of retail expansion and recruitment services not to exceed $48,500; a resolution to submit Ak-Chin Indian Community Grant Application for funding to acquire a police K-9 vehicle; approval of a Salt River Project easement for the library expansion; a resolution in support of the Pinal County Regional Significant Route study; a resolution authorizing the transfer of ownership of a used city truck to the Queen Valley Fire District and a resolution for an Intergovernmental Agreement with Pinal County for repaving and enhancement on Ironwood Drive not to exceed $629,800.03.

See A-1

Lady Prospectors Top Paradise Valley In Hoops
By Chuck Baker
The News
The Lady Prospector varsity basketball team snapped a four-game losing skid with last Friday’s 45-29 victory at home over Paradise Valley, giving the AJHS girls their first Desert Sky Region win.
   Also last week, Apache Junction lost a 74-41 contest at third-ranked Cave Creek Cactus Shadows on Tuesday and is now 6-6 overall on the season and 1-2 in region games.
    Friday’s contest against Paradise Valley played out like a chess game as both teams preferred to stay in a zone defense while both offenses showed incredible patience in trying to gain high percentage shots.
   Apache Junction led just 5-4 after one quarter but then used a 9-0 run the first three minutes of the second quarter to build a 14-4 lead before Paradise Valley closed the gap to six points at halftime, with AJHS leading 18-12.
   The Lady Prospectors, behind 10 of Chelsea Darling’s game high 15 fifteen points in the second half, began to pull away down the stretch and at one point had built a 20-point lead, 42-22, midway through the final period.
   The senior Darling made her last five free throws and added four rebounds and a pair of assists as Apache Junction earned their first region win of the season.

See C-1 and See Girls, C-3