TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and provide direction to staff regarding a special election to sell real property valued at more than $1.5 million dollars. Discussion and Direction.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
A.R.S. 9-403 which requires a special election to sell real property valued at more than $1.5M dollars. Efforts to modify the monetary threshold for land sales over the past two legislative sessions have failed to garner traction. Thus, the Council provided tentative approval to move forward with a “mail-in ballot” to authorize the sale of lands for the purpose of job creation and economic development. The ballot must contain a description of the property and the reasons why the property will be sold. If a majority of votes cast approve, then the City can sell to the highest bidder for cash. There is an Attorney General Opinion that clarifies once the sale is authorized, the City can sell as one parcel or in several parcels (Op.Atty.Gen. No. I88-093).
Pinal County has stated that the costs for a “mail-in ballot” would be around $200,000 and a “in-person ballot” costing approximately $250,000. These cost estimates are based on holding an election this November 2023. While it is possible to wait until the general ballot in November 2024, such action may impede opportunity for sale and development of lands identified for job creation and economic development and may be hindered by other ballots measures.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
If timely progress is to be made, city staff seek direction of the City Council. While the cost of the ballots is high, it is anticipated that the City would recoup these costs from the future sale of lands.