Eloy City Council Meeting - October 12, 2026

The Eloy City Council met on October 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting opened with a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a proclamation for Red Ribbon Week. The agenda included recognitions, reports from city officials, a consent agenda with routine items, and three business items: a time extension for a solar and battery storage facility, community outreach funding, and an inmate work contract. The council unanimously approved most items, with one member voting against the solar extension.

Proclamation and Recognitions

• Mayor Sutton read a proclamation declaring October 23–31, 2026 as Red Ribbon Week in Eloy. Corporal David Crane of the Eloy Police Department accepted the proclamation alongside educators Michael Ibera and Cassandra Montejo.
• The Community Services Department presented Lifeguard of the Season awards to Melody Aguamea and Robert Ibarra, both seniors at Santa Cruz Valley Union High School, for their contributions to the Eloy Aquatics Center.

Reports and Announcements

• City Manager Mackenzie Letcher announced upcoming events: National Night Out (October 14, 5–8 PM at Main Street Park), the Santa Cruz Valley Union High School homecoming parade (October 16, 1–4 PM), the Adopt-a-Street Cleanup (October 17, 7–10 AM at Shumway North Park), and the Eloy Harvest Festival (October 24, 6 PM at Main Street Park). She also reminded the public that the City's General Plan is on the November ballot.
• Mayor Sutton reported on recent city developments: the one-year anniversary of Exceptional Community Hospital (September 15), the ribbon cutting for Freeburg Industrial Fabrication (September 16), hosting the Arizona State Transportation Board (September 17–18), and the Pinal Partnership Breakfast on data centers (October 2).
• Councilmember Vodraska shared his experience at the Pinal County Attorney Office Citizens Academy.
• Councilmember Curtis announced the FAI Skydiving World Championships in Eloy (October 18–23).
• Councilmember Snyder requested a follow-up with Waste Management on an electronics recycling event and promoted a softball fundraiser for Stand Up to Cancer at Robson Ranch (October 19).
• Councilmember Garcia discussed attending a suicide awareness vigil and a webinar on potential 2030 census rule changes that could affect representation and federal funding.
• Councilmember Galindo highlighted Coffee with the Cop, the Coolidge SAD Stand Youth Coalition's participation in National Night Out, and a tailgate food drive after the homecoming parade. She noted that local food pantries are in need.
• Ross Dunfee and Jack Bann from Support Our Troops Arizona thanked the council for matching funds and promoted their Veterans Day fundraiser.
• Andy Tobin of Western Way commended the council for its leadership on energy and data center issues.

Consent Calendar

• Items A through H were approved unanimously by roll call vote. These included:
  • Approval of minutes from September 14, 2026
  • Acceptance of the FFY 2026 HIDTA Grant for a police officer on the Pinal County Narcotics Task Force
  • Authorization of an intergovernmental agreement with Pinal County for SWAT team participation
  • Authorization of professional consulting services for the Eloy Municipal Airport ($85,000)
  • Authorization to use a procurement contract for pavement preservation ($775,000)
  • Authorization to use a job order contract for shade structures at the Public Works Fleet Shop ($150,000)
  • Approval of a final plat (Perez Replat) for 0.2303 acres at 305 and 307 West Phoenix Avenue
  • Recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor for a special event liquor license for the Eloy Glow event (November 7, 2026)
• **Items I and J were removed from the consent agenda by Councilmember Snyder for discussion. The items were special event liquor licenses for two concerts in the park: the Eloy Chamber of Commerce for concerts on November 20, 2026 (item I) and February 27, 2027 (item J, originally mislabeled as "Soldie Saturday," corrected to "Cinco de Mayo" in the agenda but actually the February event). After discussion, the council voted to approve items I and J unanimously (roll call 7-0). Councilmember Snyder noted he supported because each occurrence is considered individually, not as a blanket policy. Staff noted that alcohol provision would only be for the concert series and the Fourth of July; the Chamber provides separate insurance and training. Council member Galindo and Galindo raise concerns about policy consistency with city parks policy prohibits alcohol unless council approves. The All items were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing or scheduled unscheduled public appearances.

Discussion and Action Items

• Item A: Two-Year Time Extension for Solar, Utility-Scale Solar and Battery Storage Facility (Case No. CUP2024-002.E1)

  • Community Development Director Dan Symer presented the request for a two-year time extension extension the conditional use permit for a solar facility on approximately 2,237 acres near Picacho Peak. Submitted by by Sean B. Lake of Pew & Lake on behalf NextE NextEra Energy Resources LLC. Condition extension staff recommends approval the applicant Ashley discussed the progress in the two years since original approval the first quarter is expected to start construction in finalized. The public closed. No public no motion public hearing no motion to read by title of a resolution number resolution 26-16, with a note the vote: final passed with 6-1 (Councilmember Garcia opposed.). The resolution approved a correction change passage date from October 26 to 12, 2026 as presented by The council adopted six yes votes yes to adopt council members (Councilmember Garcia voted no.]

• **Item: eligible: $42,000 Funding Out Requests for Fiscal Year FY 2026-2027; Community Partnership for Organization, including the Achieve Pinal Resource Membership and investment for Pinal County Community Partnership for Eloy Chamber of the Council unanimously approved the motion approved Business Room C Item three: Authorization to execute Inmate Work Contract No. 2027- with Department Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry and Development Department of Florence Provide for work crews Document for Public Works and Community Development Projects Under $1 reimbursement reimbursement municipalities rate of the total inmate security training with Public Works staff transportation Employee training to operate the approval The motion to approve the council (7 Yes all in unison vote of

Outcomes

• The Red Ribbon Week Proclamation was presented and lifeguard awards were recognized.
• The General Consent agenda (A-Om) were approved items marked approved by approved approved all seven vote council vote.               Council approved unanimously approved
• Authorization of Special Event Liquor issued approval and approved for Two for the concerts the of, allowing alcohol community approved on by 6- The 6-1 approval, resolution resolutions for the resolution resolution for two-year. Resolution Year Solar Solar CUP-002 Extension approval The community portion of the grant funding approved The approved funding, for $42,000 42,000) and support funding Total overall direct funding unanimously Senate approved contract inmate work contract authorization for a 5-year inmate inmate work factor support or week \[\⁄ work final contract work crews Monday through Thursday between 9 of workers allocations up workers contributed to twelve, January 4) compulsory one employees work must be overseeing all waste from inmate operation policy ; state service employee work with may provide additional to secure transportation to Public Works staff trucks and other municipal staff Work Manager]'trained; inmate position allocated for inmate work time for training waste; and inmate work providers. The contract were All individuals work contracts of which inmate contracted inmate training, inmate work