The San Tan Valley Town Council met November 5, 2025, to address critical operational and governance matters. Council members approved a financial agreement with Queen Creek and established new election signature requirements.
Queen Creek Financial Agreement Provides Interim Support
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-06, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Queen Creek. The agreement provides San Tan Valley with up to $250,000 monthly for operating expenses through October 31, 2026.
The town can request funds as needed each month. “If we don’t need the money that month, we don’t have to accept any money from the town of Queen Creek other than what we might have already received,” Mayor Daren Schnepf explained.
Queen Creek will initially pay approved expenses directly once authorized by the mayor. This arrangement is necessary because San Tan Valley does not yet have financial systems in place to make payments. Once financial systems are established, funds will flow directly to San Tan Valley’s account.
San Tan Valley must reimburse Queen Creek once state shared revenues begin arriving. State shared revenues would arrive as early as July 1, 2026, but the repayment obligation must be triggered by November 1, 2026, at the latest. The town will pay 4% annual interest on advanced funds. “The terms are we can either pay it back in a lump sum or it can be a series of lump sums,” Mayor Schnepf stated.
Queen Creek will not charge additional administrative fees for handling payments during this period. Councilmember Brian Tyler expressed appreciation for the neighboring town’s assistance. “That is very commendable,” he said.
Election Signature Requirements Reduced to 1,000
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-04, setting the minimum signature requirement at 1,000 for candidates seeking town office. The ordinance reduces the default requirement of a little over 1,500 signatures.
Mayor Schnepf noted the change aligns with Arizona Revised Statute 16-322(A)(11). Town Attorney Allen Quist clarified that the ordinance corrects a typographical error in the agenda, establishing a minimum of 1,000 signatures. The state statute still sets the maximum.
The ordinance passed unanimously.
Town Opens Recruitment for Key Positions
Mayor Schnepf announced the town is accepting applications for town manager and town clerk. The application window closes November 15, 2025, at the end of the day.
“The council felt it would be beneficial to broaden this process briefly, to ensure that we take a look at all options before making any final selections,” Mayor Schnepf said. Interested applicants can find details and apply at www.santanvalley.gov.
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is assisting with recruitment publicity and limited vetting. Town Attorney Quist reported that the league partnership will help broadcast the positions and support the selection process.
Upcoming Presentations on Water Service Providers
The council received an update on future agenda items regarding water resources. Town Attorney Quist announced that presentations from EPCOR and Spring Creek Water are scheduled for December 3, 2025.
Council Members Request Vision Planning Session
Councilmember Oakes requested time for long-term vision planning. “I think we have some solid ideas about what we want things to look like,” he said. A ten-year vision could guide smaller decisions as they arise.
The council discussed whether vision planning should occur in an executive session, public workshop, or meeting with citizen feedback. Mayor Schnepf noted the town will need to develop a ten-year plan eventually.
Councilmember Wolfert suggested holding community listening sessions and a state of the town address early next year.
Municipal Code and Tax Code Development Underway
The council received presentations on municipal code formation and Arizona’s Model City Tax Code. These discussions lay the groundwork for San Tan Valley’s governance framework.
The municipal code presentation outlined the process for developing the town’s first comprehensive code. The Model City Tax Code presentation provided an overview of potential local sales tax structures. No votes were taken on these educational items.
For detailed coverage of both presentations, see Pinal Post articles: San Tan Valley Municipal Code Development and Model City Tax Code Framework.
Open Meeting Law and Public Participation Procedures
Town Attorney Quist presented an overview of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law and procedures for public participation. The presentation covered requirements for transparency and managing call to the public sessions.
Quist explained that a meeting occurs when a quorum discusses town business. However, council members may attend public events together without violating the law if they don’t discuss town business.
The council discussed managing meeting decorum if disruptions occur. Councilmember Bryan Hunt noted that Pinal County supervisors addressed call to the public policies several months ago after an incident in Surprise, Arizona. The council may revisit specific decorum policies if concerns arise.
Councilmembers suggested requiring speakers to identify themselves as San Tan Valley residents. The town currently offers speaker cards but doesn’t require them.
Pinal County Commissioner Speaks as Resident
Pinal County Commissioner Karen Mooney addressed the council during call to the public, speaking as a San Tan Valley resident. She asked several questions about the town’s operations and future planning.
Mooney inquired about immediate needs for task forces and committees. She supported Councilmember Oakes’ suggestion for ten-year vision planning. She asked whether the town considered other entities for an intergovernmental agreement, questioning why the town didn’t partner with municipalities already in Pinal County instead of going outside the county.
Mooney asked whether executive session items would be brought back to open meetings for final votes so the public could be aware. Her question came just before the council was scheduled to enter executive session to discuss Rural Metro contract negotiations, municipal growth and land use opportunities, a Town Finance Director appointment, and zoning authority.
Separately, Mooney expressed concern that some decisions have come before the council with only one option to consider rather than multiple alternatives. This troubled her given that taxpayer funds are involved.
She suggested the town consider adopting portions of existing Pinal County code and then modifying as needed. Mooney expressed interest in participating in code development committees.
Where to Find Meeting Agendas
Residents can access San Tan Valley Town Council agendas and meeting information at www.santanvalley.gov. The town posts agendas on the League of Arizona Cities and Towns website.
The council will continue developing operational procedures and governance structures as the new municipality establishes its foundation.
