Queen Creek Town Council Regular Session - December 3, 2025

This regular session of the Queen Creek Town Council was held on December 3, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Community Chambers. The council approved the consent agenda, a public hearing consent agenda, a wastewater capacity fee increase ordinance, and the town's 2026 Legislative Guiding Principles. All votes were unanimous (6-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the November 19, 2025 Regular Session minutes.
• Approved additional spending authority of $3,564,648 for Swain Electric, Inc. for tank and booster site mechanical and electrical infrastructure (Projects WA030 & WA033), increasing total to $7,010,948.
• Approved Amendment Number 1 to the Option and Site Lease agreement with Diamond Towers V LLC for additional tower pole height for fire and radio equipment.
• Approved Amendment #02 to the contract with WSP USA, Inc. for Sossaman Road and Germann Road Intersection Improvements (Project #A0904), increasing contract amount by $340,285 to a total not to exceed $1,851,574.
• Approved a Professional Services Contract with Hazen and Sawyer, D.P.C. for a Water Resources Study not to exceed $286,462.
• Approved paying off an existing $3 million interfund loan from the Water Capacity Fee Fund to the Water Operating Fund and authorized a new $33 million interfund loan from the General Fund to the Water Operating Fund via Resolution 1651-25.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Noah James Markham (address not provided; stated "the great blue beautiful Tempe") spoke during public comment. He opposed the construction of Mormon and Catholic churches in Queen Creek, referencing historical associations. He questioned the Preston Lord case, suggesting undisclosed details. He raised concerns about DEI matters, tree overgrowth in the downtown district, and the functionality of meeting recordings. He also urged caution regarding water resources, stating "God can't save us from a drought."

Public Hearing – Wastewater Capacity Fee Increase

• Deputy Town Manager/CFO Scott McCarty presented the proposed wastewater capacity fee increase from $2,901 to $6,144 per equivalent residential unit (ERU). The increase is driven by the need to add 2 million gallons per day of treatment plant capacity to accommodate growth over 10 years (70% single-family, 17% multifamily, 5% commercial, 8% industrial). The total infrastructure cost is $101.4 million, with $73.2 million to be recovered through fees. Council actions reduced the fee recovery by approximately $50 million ($4,234 per ERU).
• Methodology changes: Multifamily fee will be calculated at 75% of single-family fee (based on census data showing 79% occupancy and water consumption at 74% of single-family). Large meter fees (2 inches or greater) will use the greater of a standard or project-specific calculation.
• Effective date: January 5, 2026 – the earliest date allowed by state law. Delaying would require the town to cover lost revenues (up to $7.7 million). Staff recommended maintaining the January 5 date.
• No public comments were submitted. The public hearing was opened and closed. Ordinance 883-25 was approved 6-0.

Final Action – 2026 Legislative Guiding Principles

• Heather Wilkie, Intergovernmental Relations Director, presented the town's 2026 Legislative Guiding Principles. Overarching goals include protecting local funding, self-determination, water resources, and economic development. Key changes from 2025 include:
  • Expanded objective on economic development alignment.
  • New objective to extend workers' compensation benefits to all public safety personnel when traveling to/from duty.
  • Opposition to preemption of zoning authority for data centers and elimination of the state tax credit incentive (estimated $38.5 million state impact).
  • Removed language on Maricopa County Library District funding (no longer a concern).
  • Updated water policy to align with Harquahala water purchases and oppose removal of financing options for water capacity fees.
  • Added support for a missing from care pilot program for youth group homes (in partnership with Senator Farnsworth) and campaign finance administrative closure upon candidate death.
• Proactive legislative priorities include:
  1. Lead coalition partner on Title 42 public infrastructure reimbursement program cap expansion (current cap at $200 million, ~$20 million remaining).
  2. Lead on legislation to maximize water credits from Sunoki Wash for designation status.
  3. Campaign finance administrative closure measure.
  4. Workers' compensation parity for peace officers and firefighters.
  5. Support for appropriations for a Queen Creek Police Department pilot program with Canyon State Academy/Desert Lily Academy.
• Councilmember Brown thanked staff and offered council assistance with legislative relationships. The guiding principles were approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 6-0.
• Public Hearing Consent Agenda approved 6-0.
• Ordinance 883-25 (wastewater capacity fee increase effective January 5, 2026) approved 6-0.
• 2026 Legislative Guiding Principles approved 6-0.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.