GOVERNMENT
our water portfolio and our transportation network. Ensuring we grow responsibly is always top of mind. QUESTION Regarding public safety, what should Buckeye’s strategy include to ensure residents have appropriate resources for first responders – police, EMS, fire and wildland fire protection? District 4: Pamela Croff: To keep Buckeye safe as it grows, the strategy must be proactive, well-funded, and coordinated across all public safety services—not reactive after needs outpace resources. Staffing and response times must be a top priority. As the city expands geographically, we need to ensure police, fire, and EMS coverage grow with it. That means planning new stations with development, maintaining competitive pay to recruit and retain qualified personnel, and setting clear response-time standards so residents know what to expect. Investment in training and equipment is critical. This includes modern fire apparatus,
recognize that new revenue ultimately comes from our constituents in one form or another. At the same time, I don’t believe we need to make cuts. Our city staff understands our fiscal philosophy and works diligently to improve services without increasing costs. Staff is also proactive in pursuing grants that allow us to fund important projects with little or no impact on the city’s budget. Shortly after I was appointed, I advocated for process improvements across the organization. I’m proud that Buckeye has embraced this approach. We now have two full-time staff members dedicated to helping departments streamline their processes, eliminate duplication, and reduce waste. QUESTION What is the best way to protect buckeye’s water and transportation infrastructure in anticipation of continued development? District 4: Pamela Croff: Protecting water and transportation infrastructure requires being proactive, disciplined, and willing to say “not yet” to development when systems aren’t ready. First, we need longterm, data-driven planning. That means aligning development approvals with real infrastructure capacity— water supply, treatment, roadways, and traffic flow—not just projections. Growth should pay for growth, so new developments must contribute fairly to the cost of expanding and maintaining these systems through impact fees and infrastructure agreements. On water, conservation and sustainability have to be front and center. This includes investing in efficient systems, reducing loss from aging pipes, encouraging water-wise landscaping, and diversifying water sources where possible. In a region like ours, responsible water management is critical to long-term viability. For transportation, it’s about both expansion and efficiency. We should prioritize maintaining and upgrading existing roads, improving traffic flow with smart technology, and planning connectivity before congestion becomes a problem. Coordinating land use with transportation planning is key, so we’re not constantly playing catch-up. Transparency and accountability matter. Residents should clearly understand how decisions are made and how funds are being used. If we plan carefully, invest wisely, and hold developers and the city accountable, we can support growth without sacrificing the quality of life people expect.
resource. We live in one of the largest deserts in the world, and we must view our water supply through that lens. Buckeye is not short on water—we have what we need to support our community—but we cannot afford to be wasteful. That’s why recycling and reusing water is so important. Buckeye is actively recharging treated effluent back into the ground so it can be used again in the future. We’re also working with partners to explore the use of brackish water and to remove vegetation along the Gila River that consumes significant amounts of water that could be redirected elsewhere. As a city, we’re also focused on improving transportation. That includes eliminating scalloped streets, adding travel lanes along I-10, and making needed pavement upgrades. The passage of the 2024 GO bonds provides much of the funding required for these improvements, and we continue to work with the governor’s office and state legislature to secure additional support for I-10, Jackrabbit Trail, and the I-10 interchange. As a councilmember, I consistently ask questions about how new projects will affect
even when we don’t agree. I will take the time to understand concerns, ask questions, and make decisions based on what is best for the community as a whole, not just one viewpoint. Transparency and fairness will guide every decision I make. To stay connected, I will prioritize open and consistent communication. This includes regular town halls, attending community events, and being accessible by email, phone,and social media. I also want to create opportunities for direct feedback, so residents know their voices matter and have a real impact on the decisions being made.
are places in the budget where cuts could be made?
District
4:
G.
Patrick
HagEstad,
incumbent: Did not respond.
District 4: Pamela Croff: Parts of the budget that deserve strong, continued investment are public safety, infrastructure, and youth programs. Ensuring our police, fire, and emergency services are properly staffed and equipped is essential to maintaining a safe community. At the same time, we need to keep up with road maintenance, traffic management, and long-term infrastructure planning as our city grows. I also believe investing in youth and community programs pays long-term dividends by giving young people positive opportunities and strengthening families and our future. When it comes to reductions, I believe in a careful, responsible approach rather than across-the-board cuts. We should regularly review administrative and operational expenses to identify inefficiencies, eliminate duplication, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively. I would also look closely at underperforming programs or initiatives that are not delivering measurable value and consider reallocating those funds to higher-impact priorities. Overall, my focus is on being fiscally responsible—making smart investments where they matter most while ensuring accountability and transparency in every dollar spent. District 4: G. Patrick HagEstad, incumbent: Did not respond. District 5: James P. Subjack: City Court and the City Prosecutor's office are both in desperate need of additional space and significant effort should be undertaken to make that a reality.. With regard to overfunded departments, in my estimation there are none. Which is why careful, thoughtful study must be made to efficiently and effectively allocate funds consistent with deference to tax rates and departmental needs.
District 5: James P. Subjack: Having served as Chair of the Rates Committee, I learned first hand of the knowledge and abilities of those within that Department. We must trust their judgment and work to implement their recommendations as best possible. With regard to transportation, we must work with State Officials to expand I-10 which saw more than a 40% increase in traffic volume between 2020 and 2025, The high density of traffic seems to have led to a significant increase in the usage of our roads and streets. In addition, we must continue to insist that developers pay their fair share of roadway improvements caused by their project. We must also wisely use the funds made available by bonding for roadway improvements.
District
4:
G.
Patrick
HagEstad,
incumbent: Did not respond.
District 5: James P. Subjack: If elected, A plan is in place to open an office within the City and hold regular hours to meet with constituents and City employees. I would like to develop an eblast system to inform of significant events or news and to receive questions or concerns.Town halls will be held presuming there is interest in them.
District 6: Chase Ryce: Did not respond.
District 6: Clay Goodman, incumbent: I touched on this earlier, so apologies if there’s a bit of repetition. When it comes to water, we must be responsible stewards of this vital
District 6: Chase Ryce: Did not respond.
District 6: Clay Goodman, incumbent: I firmly believe every question deserves an answer, and I work hard to provide those answers. Most of the questions I receive start with “What…” followed closely by “When…”. Lately, I’ve been getting more “How…” questions, and those are often the most rewarding to address. I strive to represent my constituents fairly and equitably. My role is to listen to the many perspectives within District 6 and balance them with the broader needs of the city. A large part of my work on the council involves hearing resident concerns and helping people understand how the city operates, how decisions are made and resolving any issues. I hold quarterly community meetings where constituents can speak with me directly and ask questions. These are informal conversations over coffee—no agenda, just open dialogue. I also meet individually with residents whenever they prefer a one-on-one discussion. I’m not a fan of one-way communication. Government at any level is a people-centered endeavor, and it works best when we engage in candid, respectful conversation.
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District 6: Chase Ryce: Did not respond.
District 6: Clay Goodman, incumbent: My primary responsibility on the council is fiduciary ensuring we use taxpayer dollars wisely and make decisions that reflect strong stewardship of public resources. I consider myself a fiscal conservative, and I don’t believe every challenge can or should be solved by simply spending more. We must live within our means while still delivering the highest level of service possible to our residents. There is always a need for additional funding across the budget, but it’s important to
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QUESTION What parts of the city budget could use more funding? Where
InBuckeye.com | May/June 2026
May/June 2026 | InBuckeye.com
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