By Madeline Ackley | Your Valley
For Goodyear homeowners looking to obtain a zoning variance to renovate their homes, or expand their property line, the associated fee from the city might be more expensive than the project itself — that is until Goodyear City Council voted to modify its building and development fees in July.
“I want you to know, as a mayor, I was shocked,” at the cost of the fees, Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord said at the July 12 city council meeting. “We definitely were unbalanced somewhat,” she said.
The residential zoning variance, for instance, was changed from $6,522 to just $500. The reason for the high cost? The fee was miscalculated, according to city finance director Doug Sandstrom.

Where’s the budget?
By Nicole Ludden | Arizona Agenda Earlier this year, Gov. Katie Hobbs’ staff warned Democrats not to make summer vacation plans. Budget negotiations had already




