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Minutes of the
City Council
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Work Study Session Meeting
I. Call to Order
The meeting was held in the Library Community Room and called to order by Mayor Schoaf at
6:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Thomas L. Schoaf, Vice Mayor Paul Faith (Zoom), Council Member Suzanne
Allen, Council Member Lisa Brainard Watson, Council Member Ron Clair, Council
Member Andrew Fraser, Council Member Justin James
Staff: Matthew Williams, City Manager; Terri Roth, City Clerk; Joe Estes, City Attorney;
Paige Peterson, Asst. City Mgr/Director of Finance; Maria Ceaglske, Deputy City
Clerk; Keith Drunasky, City Engineer; Randy Proch, Director of Planning; Kyle Ames,
Director of Public Works; Yosha Brunson Kuhl, Director of Communications; Tricia
Kramer, Community and Recreation Services Director; Dawn Morocco, IT Specialist.
Attendees: Lt. Rios, Avondale PD; Chief Pahl, GYFD.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brainard Watson.
III. Business
A. Fund Balance and Debt Policies DISCUSSED
Ms. Peterson stated the Charter requires a fund balance policy and she reviewed the current
and proposed policies. She stated it also allows the Finance Director to hold onto a certain
amount of reserve in the event that a sales tax refund is inadvertently paid to the City when it
should go to another jurisdiction. She reviewed her proposal for the debt policy, which she
suggests should not be greater than 16% of the total operating budget. As revenues grow,
there is capacity for additional debt as it increases.
In response to Council Member Allen, Ms. Peterson stated the only issue she sees is that it
would keep them from issuing too much debt, which is a good thing. The Mayor had a couple
of adjustments and suggested a 3–5 yr revenue balance and using this to adjust any spikes.
Interest earnings are a good example of this. She will bring these items back to the Council for
adoption in October.

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City Council Special Meeting September 17, 2025
IV. Adjournment
Mayor Schoaf adjourned the work study session at 6:14 PM.
APPROVED:
Thomas L. Schoaf, Mayor
CERTIFICATION
I, Terri Roth, MMC, City Clerk. hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of
the minutes of the meeting of the City Council of the City of Litchfield Park held on Wednesday,
September 17, 2025. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was
present.
Terri Roth, MMC, City Clerk
City of Litchfield Park, AZ Page 2 of 2