Volume 6, Issue 3
March 2009
City to reduce
benefits funds
By Patty Talahongva
Major changes are coming to the retiree health
care benefits program for the city of Tempe. Council
members voted last month to give the go-ahead to
staff to start working with a benefits consultant and
take the current proposed plan, which separates
retirees into three different plans, and write the tech-
nical plan documents. This may also mean a change
in policies and procedures.
It’s similar to what the city of Phoenix underwent
in 2007. Tempe followed parts of the Phoenix plan.
The changes will mean immediate savings for the
city, at least on paper for now but certainly hard costs
in the future. Under the current plan the annual
required contribution by the city was $39 million a
year. As Tom Duensing, deputy financial services
manager explains, the city never advance-funded the
retiree health care program. So in the current state
the city continues to pay the health care for employ-
ees when they retire.
From Model Ts to Mustangs, the classic, the curious and the collectible are just some of the cars that are featured at
this year’s Fifth Annual Catch A Wave Car Show, presented by the Tempe Kiwanis Nuevo (submitted photo).
“The changes we’re proposing brings that $39
million down to about $12 million a year,” said
Duensing. Right now the city is paying about $5.5
Two car shows cruise into Tempe
million a year for the regular on-going cost of the
plan. “We have an unfunded $6.6 million of the Catch a wave
For more information, visit www.kiwanis
plan,” said Duensing. “That’s what they have to build Whether your “cruising days” were done in a
nuevo.org or call 480-345-9521.
into their budget.” ’30s Model A Ford, a ‘40s Chevy pickup, a ’50s Party in the garage
So as the new retiree health care plans are being Corvette, a ’64 Mustang, or perhaps some really Parking is easier than ever in downtown Tempe
written, the cost of plans will be considered in the classy vintage vehicle like a Cadillac or a Rolls with the opening of a new 400-space parking garage
budget-balancing meetings that are set for the month Royce, chances are you’ll find something to remind right in the middle of the Mill Avenue District at Fifth
of March. The new plans will hinge on whether the you of your personal “good old days” at Tempe’s
please see CAR SHOWS on page 4
city can find the money in the budget to cover them. Kiwanis Park on March 21.
This process has been in place for more than eight Between 150 and 200 classic and custom vehi-
please see BENEFITS on page 4
cles—street rods, motorcycles and a few unusual In This Issue
specimens among them—are expected to be at the
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park, located at Baseline Road and Mill Avenue, to
Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman has been named
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A participate in Tempe Kiwanis Nuevo’s Fifth Annual
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headmaster at Tempe Prep Academy, page 2
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Catch A Wave Car Show.
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A Open to the public admission-free, the 10 a.m. to
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The Marcos de Niza orchestra seeks donations
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2 p.m. event will offer some musical memories in
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for unique musical experience, page 4
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E keeping with the decades represented by the cars.
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Other attractions for the day will include exhibits, a
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Tempean is honored as Youth of the Year by the
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50-50 raffle and a silent auction with sports col-
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lectibles, resort and bed and breakfast packages, and
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more. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be sold by
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Tempe Little Theatre will hold auditions in
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E Tempe’s Sunrise Kiwanis Club.
March for an upcoming musical, page 15
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