Eloy City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Eloy City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at approximately 6 p.m. (originally scheduled for 5 p.m.) in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included mayor and council member announcements, unanimous approval of the consent agenda, and a discussion and vote on updating the city’s purchasing policy to raise spending thresholds. An executive session followed for legal consultation.

Mayor’s Announcements

• Mayor Sutton reported attending a Scampo (Suns Corridor MPO) meeting where Doug Coleman was voted onto the board, and an energy panel in Pinal County covering solar, natural gas, nuclear energy, and energy storage. He noted that SRP expects a 35% increase in energy demand over the next several years.
• The mayor also attended a Nuclear Energy Expo hosted by SRP, the summer kickoff at the Eloy Community Pool (with a large turnout), and a Memorial Day ceremony at the Eloy Cemetery featuring skydivers, planes, and a helicopter.
• He mentioned meeting with the Arizona State Attorney General alongside Robeson Ranch residents to discuss a water rate case involving Picasso Water.

Council Members’ Announcements

• Councilmember Vodraska announced he became a grandfather for the first time (baby granddaughter Audrey Grace).
• Councilmember Garcia reported on a graduate who joined the Air Force and closing remarks at the Memorial Day event.
• Vice Mayor Tarango noted that solar farm companies in Arizona are required to clean up after 20 years, praised the summer kickoff water bomb and lifeguard response, and highlighted Lions Club vision vouchers (26 given out) at the senior center. He thanked the Eloy Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, and Eloy PD/Fire for Memorial Day flags and the honor guard.
• Councilmember Schneider reported on the high school graduation, the summer kickoff (including a real lifeguard rescue), and the Memorial Day service. He noted attendance was slightly lower than usual but praised the new ramada at the park.
• Councilmember Galindo added congratulations to Vodraska and praised the lifeguards’ attentiveness.

City Manager’s Announcements

• City Manager announced the upcoming General Plan adoption on June 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers (final step before the November ballot). He noted thousands of community responses and high participation.
• The first community yard sale of the series is scheduled for June 6, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Main Street Park, with online registration available.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously:
  • Minutes of April 13, 2026 (Regular), May 11, 2026 (Regular), and May 18, 2026 (Budget Work Session).
  • Approval and authorization to execute an Airport Planning and Environmental Consulting Services Agreement for the Eloy Municipal Airport with Coffman Associates (a Pape-Dawson Company).
  • Adoption of Resolution No. 26-1662 adopting the Consolidated Rate and Fee Schedule for the City of Eloy, effective July 1, 2026.
  • Adoption of Resolution No. 26-1663 approving amendments to loan agreements between the City and the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona.

Discussion Items

• Resolution No. 26-1661 – Declaring Purchasing Policy as a Public Record: Approved without objection. The resolution formally designates the purchasing policy document as a public record, a procedural step before amending the policy.

• Ordinance No. 26-1001 – Amending City Purchasing Policy: This ordinance updates thresholds, language, and procedures in the purchasing policy, last updated in 2018. Proposed changes include:

  • Raising the department-level purchasing limit from $500 to $1,000 for purchase order requirements.
  • New competitive bidding thresholds: $0–$10,000 informal; $10,000–$30,000 telephonic/verbal quotes; $30,000–$50,000 written quotes; over $50,000 requires City Council approval (previously $20,000).
  • The city manager must sign all contracts under $50,000; contracts over $50,000 require the mayor’s signature after council approval.
  • Added language on job order contracting and references to state statute Title 34.

  Discussion: Several council members expressed concerns about the large jump from $20,000 to $50,000 for council approval. Vice Mayor Tarango noted “heartburn” over the increase, and Councilmember Curtis (excused) had recommended doubling the existing policy to $40,000 as a ceiling. In response, Finance Director Brian Wright explained that most large purchases are already identified in the CIP and budget, and that unbudgeted items require additional oversight. Councilmember Schneider emphasized built-in oversight through departmental budgets and finance review. Councilmember Garcia noted that inflation and rising costs justify the update. After discussion, the ordinance passed with all present voting aye.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously via roll call (present: Garcia, Galindo, Vodraska, Tarango, Schneider, Mayor Sutton; Curtis excused).
• Resolution 26-1661 approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-1001 approved unanimously (roll call: all present aye). The ordinance will sit for 30 days and become effective July 1, 2026.
• The council moved into executive session under A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3) and (4) for legal advice and discussion on contracts and real property. The meeting was later adjourned after reconvening.