By Justin Matthews | Pinal Post
Key Points
- San Tan Valley Town Council voted on April 15 to seek membership in the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), with no votes in opposition.
- The application now goes to MAG’s Regional Council for consideration next month.
- If accepted, the town becomes MAG’s 33rd member and gains access to federal transportation funding for projects like arterial road widening.
- Membership would cost the town about $11,895 in annual dues and assessments, buying a seat at an agency that operates on a $62.8 million budget largely funded by federal dollars.
SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ — San Tan Valley Town Council voted on April 15 to seek membership in the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), with no votes in opposition. The application now goes to MAG’s Regional Council for consideration next month. If accepted, the town will be able to compete for federal transportation funds and take part in regional planning on roads, air quality, and growth.
What The Vote Means For Residents
If MAG accepts the application, San Tan Valley would become the agency’s 33rd member in a region covering more than 10,000 square miles.
MAG Executive Director Audra Koester Thomas told council the agency awards “many millions of dollars each and every year” through competitive programs. Those programs include arterial widening, a category Koester Thomas said would likely be “top of mind for a fast-growing community like San Tan Valley.”
What If San Tan Valley Says No?
Mayor Daren Schnepf pressed the executive director on the cost of staying out. “What, in your expertise, in your knowledge, what would be the result of us as a town not being a member of MAG?” he asked.
Koester Thomas answered with three points. First, she described the loss as “an opportunity cost.” Membership lets a town submit projects, have them scored, and “chase multi-millions of dollars of transportation dollars.” Without it, San Tan Valley cannot compete for that pool.
Second, she pointed to collaboration with the other member agencies, which include cities, towns, counties, and Native nations. “Regionalism is something we do really well,” she said. The agency, she added, works to “find solutions that are able to work for Wickenburg, Tempe, and San Tan Valley, all with different kinds of issues.”
Third, she described MAG as an advocate for its members with state agencies, working most closely with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). “Because of the big voice that MAG has, covering as much as we do, I think we’re able to find opportunities to champion what you need and find solutions on your behalf,” she said.
Schnepf responded: “If there’s one thing we need is a little bit of leg up with ADOT and with transportation funds. We know that we have some challenges out here.”
