Leader of push to incorporate San Tan Valley feeling optimistic about latest attempt

PHOENIX – Residents of San Tan Valley, a northern Pinal County community with a population of about 100,000, are making another push for incorporation.

Tyler Hudgins, chairman of STV Inc., the group behind the campaign to incorporate San Tan Valley, said Thursday he’s optimistic about the latest attempt to turn the unincorporated area into a town.

“There’s been some incorporation attempts in the past, but San Tan Valley residents have never been given the choice to be able to decide their future. And, so, that’s really the heart of what we’re trying to do,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

STV Inc.’s mission, per its website, is to “empower residents through self-governance, improve local services and enhance the quality of life in our community.”

Hudgins said creating a local governing authority would give the community more control over tax dollars and development plans. The aim is to create a municipality where residents can work and play without relying on surrounding cities.

“We want to build a community, not just houses,” he said. “People are tired of having 20 car washes on every corner. People are tired of having to go to restaurants outside the community with their families. People are tired of having to commute outside of San Tan Valley for work.”

Why San Tan Valley has ‘viable opportunity’ to incorporate

Hudgins said “outside interests” have derailed previous incorporation efforts, but things are different this time.

“A lot of the laws have been changed and updated to allow us to be able to move forward. And, so, for the first time, we really think we have a very viable opportunity to do this,” he said.

A big hurdle was recently cleared when the Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted to let STV Inc. start a petition campaign to get the incorporation issue on the ballot.

“We got approved two weeks ago. We have almost 1,600 signatures. We have six months to be able to get 6,000. And, so, we feel like the community is just excited to see this happen,” Hudgins said.

If all goes as planned, the public vote will be held in August 2025.

Surrounding cities wooed to back incorporation effort

As part of the push to incorporate San Tan Valley, Hudgins said his group has been communicating with leaders in surrounding cities and towns in Pinal and Maricopa counties.

“I’m proud that our City Council supports the incorporation efforts of San Tan Valley, as they work toward greater self-governance and local representation,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles.

“Incorporation is a smart move that will enhance regional collaboration, empowering… pic.twitter.com/aOBACeweBU

— Tyler Hudgins (@tahudgins) August 20, 2024

Officials in Queen Creek, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler have already committed to supporting the effort, he said. STV Inc. also met with the mayors and city managers from Florence, Coolidge and Apache Junction. Florence was a notable opponent in the past.

Mesa and Gilbert are the only cities that have veto power because they are the only municipalities within 6 miles of San Tan Valley with larger populations, according to STV Inc.

“We’re just excited, and we think the momentum is in our favor,” Hudgins said.

Where is San Tan Valley?

San Tan Valley, which gets its name from the nearby San Tan Mountains, is around 47 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, beyond the southeast Valley suburb of Queen Creek.

Updated map pic.twitter.com/YC3Lpr2Eve

— Tyler Hudgins (@tahudgins) April 8, 2024

The public was provided with opportunities to provide input about where the proposed town’s boundaries should be drawn.

“Our heart is not to force people into something that they don’t want to do, and so we decided to go with the map that we have based on feedback with the community, based on what we understand to be San Tan Valley proper,” Hudgins said.

In addition to the area’s cultural history, planners took economic factors into account.

“The land that we’ve included in the map has provided opportunities for us to develop good commercial, develop industrial, so that we can have our residents stay in our community and make this a community,” Hudgins said.

Follow @kstonezone