The Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a request Wednesday from San Tan Valley Inc. (STV Inc.) to begin circulating petitions that could lead to the incorporation of San Tan Valley, a community of approximately 91,000 residents based on 2020 Census data.
Tyler Hudgins, representing STV Inc., addressed the supervisors about the group’s progress since submitting their initial notice of intent to incorporate on April 12, 2023. The organization has conducted community outreach through 11 town halls and developed map boundaries for the proposed municipality, which encompasses approximately 46.5 square miles.
According to Hudgins, financial analysis shows the proposed town would receive between $53 million and $65 million in Arizona State shared revenue upon incorporation. The group has secured support from neighboring communities, with Queen Creek passing a unanimous (7-0) resolution in support and Chandler providing a letter backing the incorporation effort. Gilbert and Mesa are expected to vote on similar resolutions.
“Residents are tired of having 20 car washes on every corner,” Hudgins told the supervisors, addressing concerns about local control over development. He also noted residents’ frustrations about having to leave San Tan Valley for dining and employment opportunities, while citing concerns about tax money being redirected away from local infrastructure needs.
The approval gives STV Inc. six months to collect signatures from 10% of qualified electors. The organization has scheduled a kickoff event for November 16 at Poston Butte High School from 9 AM to noon to begin their petition drive.
Project Timeline(see presentation for more details):
- April 2023: Committee formation, notice of intent filed with Pinal County
- May-September 2023: Community outreach, including six town halls and meetings with neighboring municipalities
- October-December 2023: Negotiations with Arizona State Land Department, secured Queen Creek and Chandler support
- January-August 2024: Map boundary finalization and pending municipal approvals from Gilbert and Mesa
- October 2024-April 2025: Planned petition drive
- April-August 2025: Petition verification and approval process
- August 5, 2025: Scheduled public vote on incorporation
The proposed boundaries for the new municipality would extend north to Pima Road, east to the CAP Canal, south to Arizona Farms Road, and west to the Queen Creek Planning Area. If voters approve incorporation in August 2025, the Board of Supervisors will declare the community incorporated.
STV Inc.’s incorporation committee includes residents Deborah Grett, Steve Walb, Jack Mauller, Buchanan Davis, Adrien Litton, Diane Combes, and Tyler Hudgins.
