San Tan Valley incorporation push revived

A new law passed by the Arizona Legislature paves the way for San Tan Valley, southeast of Phoenix, to form a city government — an effort that would have to go before voters in an upcoming election.

Incorporation proponents will wait until the law takes effect Aug. 9 to start a campaign, the San Tan Valley Sentinel reported.

If there is enough support for incorporation, proponents said, the question could be on the ballot as early as November 2018.

Local businesswoman and longtime advocate Tisha Castillo said a committee will be hosting town halls for voters and will also have a website, social media and flyers with information.

“There’s going to be a lot of education, but a lot of that information still has to be gathered, because it’s a brand-new world than it used to be when we last tried,” Castillo said.

A previous effort, in 2010, to incorporate San Tan Valley was unsuccessful.

Opponents have said creating a new city would bring tax burdens.

Supporters who attended a June 1 community meeting held by Pinal County District 2 Supervisor Mike Goodman countered that without incorporation, state-shared revenue goes to other cities and towns because San Tan Valley does not have the standing necessary to claim its share.

Castillo believes changing circumstances in San Tan Valley may shift people’s stance on the move.

“We have a lot of threats right now with neighboring municipalities wanting to annex as much as they can for their own communities,” Castillo said. “Now we have the chance to either create our own future or end up in somebody else’s.”