Council Unanimously Approves Investigation Project
The Casa Grande City Council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement on November 3, 2025. The partnership with Pinal County Flood Control District will investigate and analyze flooding hazards along the North Branch of the Santa Cruz Wash. Resolution No. 5843 establishes the framework for the comprehensive engineering study that will examine approximately six miles of the waterway within city limits.
The Santa Cruz Wash investigation targets the stretch between Bianco Road and Peart Road along the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway corridor. Deputy Public Works Director Duane Eitel presented the agenda item to council members.
Addressing Capital Improvement Plan Priorities
The City’s Capital Improvement Plan previously identified two separate flood control projects associated with the North Branch of the Santa Cruz Wash. Rather than pursuing these initiatives independently, city officials approached Pinal County Flood Control District to create a joint study that would leverage resources from both agencies.
“As the Wash is a regional waterway, the city approached Pinal County Flood Control District to participate in the study and to leverage Pinal County Flood Control District funding with City of Casa Grande funds,” Eitel told council members during the presentation.
The combined approach allows Casa Grande to access additional expertise and funding while maintaining oversight of projects within its jurisdiction.
Study Scope and Expected Outcomes
The engineering investigation will produce three primary deliverables:
- Develop hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the wash, measuring water flow patterns and volumes during storm events
- Define specific drainage issues
- Develop options and design concepts for physical drainage improvements
The analysis focuses on understanding how storm flows behave as they cross the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway between Bianco Road and Pinal Avenue, and from Pinal Avenue to Peart Road. This six-mile stretch falls entirely within Casa Grande city limits but serves as a regional waterway.
Cost Sharing and Financial Structure
The total project cost reaches $900,000, with Casa Grande contributing $650,000 from two existing Capital Improvement Plan projects:
- CIP Project 25018: $500,000 for the North Branch of the Santa Cruz
- CIP Project 26081: $470,000 for the wash study from Pinal to Peart Road
The city will contribute $650,000 of the available $970,000 in budgeted CIP funds to meet its obligation.
Pinal County Flood Control District will provide $250,000 in funding and serve as lead agency for all aspects of project implementation. Under the agreement terms, the District will conduct the project using its own funds initially. It will then submit invoices to Casa Grande for reimbursement of costs exceeding $250,000.
The city will strive to reimburse the District within 30 days of receiving each invoice. The District can request reimbursement every 30 calendar days throughout the project timeline.
Project Administration and Timeline
Pinal County Flood Control District will administer the Santa Cruz Wash investigation. Meanwhile, Casa Grande Public Works Department will maintain participation, review, and oversight responsibilities. The agreement expires either two years from its recording date or upon project completion, whichever comes first. Both parties may agree in writing to extend the deadline for up to two additional years if justified.
The contract includes provisions requiring the District to coordinate a final review with the city upon completion. The District must also prepare a final accounting of all project costs.
