A dispute over the wastewater treatment plant in Marana began in 2007, when the town tried to annex the plant. When that plan was rejected in Superior Court, the town asked for – and won – a new state law last year to permit it to take over the plant by paying only the outstanding debt.
Marana took over the plant in January, but then lost a series of court battles to Pima County, but there’s still an outstanding lawsuit over whether the state law that allowed the takeover is constitutional.
Pima County and the town of Marana are now working on a settlement.
Settlement options depend on the state Senate repealing two bills that permitted Marana to take over the county facility and permits without paying full price.
Under the first settlement option, Marana would pay $18.2 million for the plant – the same price Marana agreed to pay under the state law. The full value of the plant is around $27 million, Huckelberry said.
The town would hold an election in March to get permission from voters to provide sewer service.
Under the second option, Pima County would own and operate the sewer plant, which is a better deal for ratepayers.
