Eloy City Council Meeting – August 11, 2025

The Eloy City Council met on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a full agenda including water and wastewater rate adjustments, multiple development projects, and two solar energy center proposals. The meeting lasted approximately three hours and included public comment, staff presentations, and council votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beverly Seekas (resident of the Village of Grand Valley Ranch) expressed concerns about the Peterson Group’s development plans for the former San Miguel Golf Course (300 acres) and Century Complete Homes. She stated she would attend future planning and zoning and council meetings to stay informed about flood, housing, zoning, and planning issues.
• Donna Keeler (resident of the Village of Grand Valley Ranch for 20 years) asked whether there had been any consideration of widening Toltec Road to four lanes to Battaglia Road due to increased traffic.

Reports and Announcements

• Mayor’s Announcements: Three public input sessions for the construction of the general plan were held; attendance varied (eight at the first, none at the second, over 50 at the third). The mayor attended a Habitat for Humanity Open House and noted the Santan Valley vote to incorporate passed two-to-one, which will affect state shared revenue. A meeting about the proposed 505 freeway was announced for the following evening.
• Council Member Announcements: Councilmember Galindo reported attending the Morris Institute at ASU on water and housing, emphasizing the importance of understanding data centers and their water and electricity usage. Councilmember Snyder noted that 36% of Arizona’s water comes from the Colorado River, 41% from groundwater, and 72% of state water use is agricultural (primarily alfalfa). He also highlighted that 76% of Arizonans pay below the national average for water and expressed concern about high school graduation and college continuation rates.
• City Manager’s Announcements:
  • Public Works Business Manager Christina Wozniak received her Grade 3 certification for wastewater treatment.
  • The general plan questionnaire is available online.
  • A new police officer will graduate on August 14, and a new dispatcher was hired.
  • The Board of Appeals has no members; a code amendment may be needed to allow the council to act in its place.
  • Recycling contamination issues with WM’s new program were noted; a three-strike rule is in effect, and an education push is planned via utility bill flyers.
• Police Chief Briefing: Chief reported department updates including hiring of dispatchers, three new police vehicles delivered for FY25-26, and training on case preparation and autism awareness (Blue Envelope Program). Notable enforcement included use of Flock license plate readers to solve a wallet theft, locate a suspect in a disorderly conduct case, and recover a stolen vehicle. A threat against the magistrate and prosecutor was investigated, and a juvenile was arrested for possessing a BB gun at school. July statistics: 1,617 calls for service (77% police, 23% fire), 1,970 incidents handled, 334 traffic citations, 19 collisions, and 261 public records requests.
• HR Director Presentation: Sylvia Lopez announced the launch of NeoGov, a new online job opportunities platform replacing the previous system. Features include 24/7 access, saved profiles, real-time application tracking, and text notifications. The platform is live and has received positive feedback.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0):
  • Approval of minutes from July 14, 2025.
  • Resolution No. 25-1618/Ordinance No. 25-992: Silverado RV Resort (General Plan Amendment and Rezone on ~27.5 acres).
  • Resolution No. 25-1619: Conditional Use Permit for Continental Supply of Arizona (outdoor storage on Light Industrial zoned property).
  • Resolution No. 25-1620: Conditional Use Permit for Flying J 609 (truck stop on General Commercial zoned property).
  • Final Plat approval for Flying J 609 (combining 5 parcels into 1 lot, ~23 acres).
  • Resolution No. 25-1621: Development Agreement with CCAZ Holdings, LLC for an ~11-acre manufacturing property.
  • Declaration of three pieces of unused equipment and 13 vehicles as surplus for disposal by public auction.

Discussion Items

• Water and Wastewater Rate Adjustments (Items A & B): Dan Jackson of Willdan Financial Services presented four funding scenarios for a 10-year rate plan, driven by rising costs and a need for up to $95 million in capital improvements over a decade. Scenario 1 (no new debt) would keep existing 11% annual increases through 2026, then add 9% (water) and 5% (wastewater) in 2027-2029. Scenario 2 (new debt, $23 million total) would increase water rates to 13% for 2025-2027, then 4% in 2028-2029; wastewater rates would be 11% for three years, then 11% and 3%. Scenario 3 ($33 million debt) and Scenario 4 ($63 million debt) would require larger increases (up to 18% water adjustments). Staff recommended Scenario 2. Council directed staff to present both Scenario 2 and Scenario 3 at the next meeting for a final decision, with a commitment to review rates every two years.
• Toltec Senior Center Improvements (Item C): Authorization to award a $195,205 contract to Danson Construction, LLC for facility improvements (parking lot seal coat and restriping, demolition, concrete sidewalk, dumpster enclosure, ADA door operator). Funded by FY24 CDBG grant ($187,090) and facility maintenance budget ($8,000). Approved 7-0.
• WestLand Resources Civil Engineering Contract (Item D): Approval of a $100,000 contract with WestLand Resources, Inc. under a cooperative purchasing agreement with Oro Valley, to assist with the Underground Storage Facility Credit Application to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The permit had expired due to an oversight; the city aims to regain recharge credits. Approved 7-0.
• Eloy Commons North (Item E): Public hearing and approval of a Minor General Plan Amendment (from Community Commercial to Medium-High Density Residential and Light Industrial) and Rezone (from C-2 to R-2 with PAD, and I-1 with PAD) on 33.86 acres near I-10 and Sunshine Blvd. Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0. Approved 7-0.
• Eloy Commons South (Item F): Public hearing and approval of a Minor General Plan Amendment (from Light Industrial to Community Commercial and Medium-High Density Residential) and Rezone (from C-1 to C-2 and R1-6 with PAD, and from C-2 and I-1 to R1-6 with PAD) on 111.10 acres. Approved 7-0.
• Tierra Del Sol – Sawtooth East Energy Center (Item G): Approval of an amendment to the Tierra Del Sol PAD to allow solar, utility-scale generation, and battery energy storage on ~320 acres. This project did not exceed the city’s 11,744-acre solar cap. Approved 5-2 (Councilmembers Garcia and Galindo dissented).
• Eloy Acres – Sawtooth Central Energy Center (Item H): Approval of a similar amendment on ~320 acres, which would exceed the solar cap by approximately 121 acres. Staff recommended approval, noting it was part of the original plan. Approved 4-3 (Councilmembers Galindo, Garcia, and Vice Mayor Tarango dissented). Dissenting members cited concerns about exceeding the cap and not wanting the city to be dominated by a single industry.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Consent agenda: Approved 7-0.
  • Water rate scenarios: Directed staff to bring Scenarios 2 and 3 for a future decision.
  • Toltec Senior Center contract: Approved 7-0.
  • WestLand Resources contract: Approved 7-0.
  • Eloy Commons North: Approved 7-0.
  • Eloy Commons South: Approved 7-0.
  • Sawtooth East Energy Center: Approved 5-2.
  • Sawtooth Central Energy Center: Approved 4-3.
• Next Steps:
  • Staff will prepare resolutions for water rate Scenarios 2 and 3 for council consideration at the next meeting.
  • The final plat for Eloy Commons residential development is expected within a year, with homes anticipated in approximately 22 months.
  • The city will continue outreach for Board of Appeals members; a code amendment may be pursued if no members are found.
  • Recycling education materials will be included in utility bills.
  • No executive session was held; the meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m.