Rebecca Timmer introduced this month’s spotlight committee member, Marci Utakis of Rider, Levett, Bucknall
- Construction consulting firm mitigating risk for clients for time/cost of construction for over 30 years.
- Phoenix office North American headquarters and Tucson office also established.
- RLB is known for data/research on construction industry including crane report and international reports.
- Clients include both public/private construction cost management, bid evaluation, feasibility studies and other specialized reports.
- Tailor services to clients goals and needs with advisory team providing everything from dispute resolution to expert witness services.
- Pinal County Attorney’s office building, on call with Casa Grande and Pinal County San Tan Admin Complex
- Recent work on battery recycling, semi-conductor plants and Eloy’s Dustbowl Theatre
Rebecca Timmer introduced Pinal County Supervisor – District 4 Vice-Chairman Jeffrey McClure to educate us on what is happening in his district. Supervisor McClure was elected in November 2020, assumed office as a Supervisor on January 1, 2021, and served as the Chairman of the Board in 2022.
- Supervisor McClure’s district includes Mammoth west to Arizona City, Florence, San Manuel, Oracle and portions of San Tan Valley
- Just came back from U of A trip to Washington DC to discuss water, fire, heat related issues
- Discussed with Senator Kelly’s representative on issues related to SCIP, San Carlos; 42% electric rate increases after no increase in 16 years.
- Hydropower dam built in 1928 for agriculture and powering wells, never anticipated providing power to thousands of homes.
- Buying power from alternative resources SPOT market example $180 to over $400 in 3 months.
- Thousands of people are at risk of having power shut off. Senators Sinema and Kelly are working on structured payment plan and hold on power shutoff.
- 1991 Act of Congress divested SCIP of distribution rights.
- $300 million needed for utility infrastructure improvements before turning over to another utility.
- Visited $80 million EPCOR facility yesterday for upgraded water treatment facility.
- Elections building under construction; moving in Mid-May; 53,000 square foot building will be utilized for upcoming 2024 primary.
- Arizona City update: Sunland Gin Road is completed; flood issues under control and library renovated and expanded by 3,700 square feet.
Supervisor McClure was asked about transportation in his district. Extension of 24 to CAP canal and north/south parkway critical as 24,000 homes being planned in that corridor. The county is not in the business of designing cities and developers arrive without coordinated planning on traffic circulation. Now the county is planning for funding connector roads and expanding roads in San Tan Valley. Pinal County Maintenance fund ½ tax extension coming up in 2024. Anticipate PRTA tax revisit in 2025 with new plan to create loop roads that connect to the metropolitan Phoenix corridors.
A question was raised about the September 14th agenda item regarding UofA and City of Maricopa. UofA has 2,000 acres in Maricopa, will continue use for agricultural research but discussing development adding a tech park with multi-use including housing.
James Smith added the Board of Regents met and are prioritizing this project which will be a huge win for Pinal County, and it will provide opportunities to pursue higher education within our county.
Richard Rosales shared the Pinal County Economic Map info at the following link:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=157e83d00102405e8327c20ae9ca5416
Liz Recchia announced the Pinal County Housing Demand Study is conducting a survey through November 16th. Please participate and share at the following links:
Employers/Businesses: https://forms.office.com/r/SDPbfBzQ8q
Employees/Others: https://forms.office.com/r/ffTM6eUt58
The next PPGRC Meeting will be on November 28th.
Our next Monthly Breakfast Meeting date has moved from November 10th to November 17th; more details coming soon.Visit https://pinalpartnership.com/meetings-and-events/
