Bisbee Economic Forum

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City of Benson
Mayor George Scott Vice Mayor Jeannine
Hamilton Councilmember Mark Fenn Councilmember T
oney King Councilmember John Lodzinski Councilmem
ber Lori McGoffin Councilmember Kathy
Suagee 120 W. 6th Street Benson, Arizona
85602 Office [phone] Fax (520)
586-3375 www.cityofbenson.com
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Benson Economic Focus

• June 7, 2007

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The Economy of Benson

• Retail Center
• Service Center
• Winter Visitors
• Path of Growth

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Annual Events in Benson

• Butterfield Overland Stage Days and Rodeo
• Biker Rodeo
• Thanksgiving Fiesta Singing Wind Book Shop
• Christmas on Main Street

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Annual Events in Benson

• Cowboy/Cowgirl Round-up
• Bluegrass in the Park
• Benson 4th of July Celebration

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Tourism
Attractions
San Pedro Golf Course Turquoise Hills Family
Golf Center San Pedro Riparian National
Conservation Area San Pedro Valley Arts
Historical Society Trail Rides Sunglow Guest
Ranch Astronomers Inn Amerind Foundation Gammons
Gulch Movie Studio Holy Trinity Monastery Cochise
Stronghold Kartchner Caverns State Park
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Visitor Center

• In 2007 Benson is Projecting
• 16,000 walk-in visitors
• 2,500 phone calls
• 10,000 website hits
• Benson Visitor Center is certified as an official
  Tourist Information Center

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Tourism

• The City of Benson advertises in
• 18 publications
• 6 electronic media outlets
• 4 media websites
• With brochures in visitor racks around Arizona
• Benson is a member of the Cochise County Tourism
  Council

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Additional Services

• Solid Waste Services
• Wastewater Utility
• Water Utility
• Natural Gas Utility
• Parks and Recreation
• Municipal Airport
• Public Library
• Visitor Center
• City Cemetery
• Strong Volunteer Fire Department with first
  full-time Fire Employee starting in July

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Major CIP Projects2007-08
Community Pool Lions Park Improvements Pavement
Management Ocotillo Phase I 4th to Union
Roadway Design
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CIP Projects 2007-08 Advanced Planning
Drainage Study Phase, Intercity Wastewater
Planning Model Water Planning Model Subsurface
Hydrology Model Natural Gas Planning Model
General Plan Update
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Airport Projects
Runway Lighting, Runway Widening and Airport Fire
Suppression are some of major projects to be
complete over the next 2 to 3 years. Look for the
airport to become a valuable economic development
asset in the coming years!
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Commercial New Development
Gracies Station Family Restaurant Approved by
PZ Benson Family Dental Approved by PZ
Filibertos Restaurant Approved by PZ
Walgreens Site Plan Preliminary Submittal
Auto Zone Site Plan Preliminary Submittal
Modular office space on 5th street Board of
Adjustment Modular office space on 4th
street Going to PZ La Habra Apartments 48
Units Approved by PZ Gas City
Expansion Permit Issued
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Building ActivityResidential Permits
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Custom Lot Sales
41 Custom Lots Sold
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Budget
Description FY 2005-06 FY 2006-07 FY
2007-08 Total Revenues 6,991,073 11,491,883 19,31
0,288 Total Expenditures 5,284,237
9,782,183 19,310,288 General Fund
Revenues 3,988,594 5,724,484 7,515,888
Expenditures 2,100,859 4,601,174 7,515,888
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Financial Highlights FY 2006-07

• Cash reserves increased by 2,500,000
• Sales Tax Receipts increased by more than 30
  over fiscal year 2005-06
• General Fund Revenues exceeded Expenditures by
  over 1,000,000
• Enterprise Fund Revenues exceeded Expenditures by
  over 300,000
• Revenues exceeded Expenditures in all Utility
  Funds

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FY 2007-08 Budget Considered by Council this
June 11

• 2007-08 Fiscal Year Budget
• Budget of over 19,000,000
• Five Year Capital Improvement Program
• Capital Projects Fund
• Budget includes 6,000,000 for projects

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Looking Forward