By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services | Arizona Daily Star
Pima County did nothing wrong when it did not seek bids for a site that ultimately became the World View high-altitude balloon launching site, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
In a brief order, the justices declined to consider arguments by the Goldwater Institute that state laws specifically require governments to seek the best offer when selling off property. Instead, they left standing, without comment, the Court of Appeals ruling that competitive bidding laws do not apply when counties are trying to lure a specific company.
Wednesday’s ruling is more than a victory for Pima County. It buttresses the power of all Arizona counties to make special lease deals with desired companies, regardless of whether others may be willing to offer more for the property.
But the order does not end the legal fight. The Goldwater Institute, which represents three taxpayers, still has the right to pursue a separate claim that the another part of the deal — constructing a headquarters and launching paid for World View — violated the “gift clause” of the Arizona Constitution. No date has been set to hear legal arguments on that.
