By San Tan Valley News
As discussions about incorporation continue in San Tan Valley, many residents are asking what incorporation would mean for their community. While incorporation has been promoted as a way to address growth, improve services, and increase local control, it’s important to clarify what changes incorporation brings—and what stays the same.
By examining services and governance before and after incorporation, residents can make an informed decision based on facts.
Services: Before and After Incorporation
| Service/Area | Before Incorporation | After Incorporation |
|---|---|---|
| Policing | Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), funded by county taxes. | PCSO, now contracted by the new municipality and funded through additional city taxes. |
| Fire Services | Rural Metro subscription service. | Rural Metro subscription service—no change. |
| Road Maintenance | Handled by Pinal County. | Contracted back to Pinal County, funded by city taxes. |
| Zoning Decisions | Managed by the County Board and Planning & Zoning Commission, which includes local representatives. | Zoning of most land is already designated, and decisions about current developments remain up to the landowner. A new town would have no say over existing agreements or landowner plans. |
| Utilities | Provided by state-regulated entities like water and power companies. | No change—utilities remain under state regulation. |
| School Districts | Operated independently of incorporation efforts. | No change—school districts remain the same. |
| Parks and Recreation | Managed by Pinal County’s Open Space, Trails & Regional Parks Department. The county has helped create parks in unincorporated areas like Gold Canyon, Dudleyville, and Oracle. Residents can also create a parks and recreation district funded by additional taxes without incorporation. | Would require a municipal Parks and Recreation Department, funded through additional city taxes. Incorporation does not automatically create or fund parks or recreation facilities. |
Clarifying Common Misconceptions
Growth and Zoning
A common claim is that incorporation would allow San Tan Valley to control growth and prevent overdevelopment. However, the reality is that land use remains up to the landowners. Most of the land in San Tan Valley is already zoned and designated, meaning decisions about what is built there are already determined by prior agreements or state trust land regulations. Incorporation does not grant a town council authority to change these agreements.
