City considers funding, programs for youth

In June 2009, the Maricopa City Council set aside $200,000 in its budget to implement youth programs in the city of Maricopa. However, more than six months later, with the exception of $60,000 being committed to fund a part-time youth center, the majority of the money remains untouched.

“We are dedicated to spending that money on things that benefit the youth in Maricopa, but we are not going to spend it just for the sake of saying we did,” said City Manager Kevin Evans.

A possible hiring and a new youth council may help to loosen the purse strings. The youth council is an idea that has been in kicked around at City Hall for the past several months and is finally nearing fruition. This group would be a type of city subcommittee composed of Maricopa young people from grades 9 to 12.

This group would meet on a monthly basis to discuss the needs of the youth in Maricopa and look at possible programs or methods to meet these needs. “This group is going to be a great way to better serve the youth of Maricopa,” said John Nixon, the city’s new community services director.

While the council is planning to help inject some of the ‘young’ ideas from young people, a new youth coordinator could help structure some programs. “Having this position will go a long way in defining ways to expend the remaining funds we have budgeted,” Evans said.

In addition to the hiring and the creation of the new group Nixon said it is important for the city to complete inventory of what spaces and programs are available.

“Once we know what we have, we can look at possible solutions to fill the needs,” Nixon said. “The residents of the city can be assured the council, and the city as a whole, has a desire to move forward on projects for the youth.”

While the city looks at programs to allocate the remaining funds on, a $20 million bond is ready to be sold this month. The money is being slated to fund a recreation/aquatics center, a sporting complex or a combination of the both. Currently, the city is looking at potential land parcels for one of the complexes.

However, Evans said regardless of which project the city moves forward on. the finished project would not be complete for two to three years.

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