Sahuarita council adopts budget policy updates, zoning text change, solid-waste fees; forwards liquor license

The Town of Sahuarita Council voted on multiple administrative and ordinance items at its August meeting, adopting finance and budget policy updates, approving a zoning text amendment for temporary uses, setting new solid-waste fees, forwarding a liquor-license transfer to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control and approving two appointments to the Board of Appeals.

The council approved Resolution No. 2025-0840 to update the town’s finance and budgetary policies. Finance staff described the changes as a mix of housekeeping and technical adjustments, including a formal contingency carry‑forward mechanism for capital projects, rewritten grant-administration language and new guidance on accounting for tangible and intangible capital assets. "Members of the council, I appreciate this opportunity to really make myself available to you to answer any questions that you may have on these recommended changes to our financial and budgetary policies," finance staff said during the presentation.

The ordinance package included a rewritten grants section and new thresholds for capital asset treatment. Staff explained the proposed intangible-asset threshold was substantially higher than the tangible threshold to limit onerous accounting for short-term subscription agreements: "For intangible assets...we're proposing...a $100,000 asset threshold," finance staff said. Council voted to adopt the resolution after brief remarks by staff.

On land-use rules, the council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 2025-186 to amend temporary-use standards in the town zoning code. Community development staff said the amendment creates a two-tiered administrative process so short-term, low-impact temporary uses and certain off-site sign plans can be approved administratively rather than through a public hearing. "The amendment would simplify the process for temporary uses that are active for shorter time frames and have little or no impact on the surrounding properties," planning staff told the council. The council adopted the ordinance following the public hearing.

The council approved an application recommendation for a Series 6 (bar) liquor license transfer for the Garage Sports Bar at 19221 S. Alpha Ave. Deputy town clerk Mark Felix reported all submittals and agency checks were complete and recommended forwarding a recommendation of approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

Councilors also adopted Ordinance No. 2025-187 to codify two solid‑waste fees: an additional residential trash cart fee of $6.49 per month and a $50 fee to reinstate service following a vacation hold longer than 90 days. Public Works Deputy Director Daniel Logan presented the item as a limited change to put those fees into ordinance.

The council appointed Frank Macia to a five‑year term on the Board of Appeals and Tatiana Bresler to fill an unexpired term ending Jan. 30, 2028. The council also voted to support the slate of resolutions the town’s voting delegate planned to present at the upcoming League of Arizona Cities and Towns conference; staff had briefed council members on each resolution and sought direction.

Several measures were adopted by voice vote; minutes and formal roll-call tallies were not read into the record during the meeting. Where staff described legal or technical details at the council dais, the council’s actions followed staff recommendations.

Looking ahead, staff said the updated budget policies will guide the next fiscal cycle and the town will implement the new solid-waste billing steps in coordination with its contractor.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2025-0840, Finance and budgetary policy updates — Adopted. - Ordinance 2025-186, Zoning code amendment (temporary use standards) — Adopted after public hearing. - Recommendation to Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, transfer of Series 6 license for Garage Sports Bar — Forwarded with recommendation of approval. - Ordinance 2025-187, Solid-waste fee schedule (additional cart fee $6.49/month; service reinstatement $50) — Adopted. - Appointments: Frank Macia reappointed to Board of Appeals (term to 01/30/2030); Tatiana Bresler appointed to fill unexpired term (to 01/30/2028) — Approved. - League of Arizona Cities and Towns annual resolutions — Council instructed its voting delegate to support the nine resolutions as briefed.

Motions and staff presentations for each item are recorded in the meeting minutes and staff reports; staff said the town will follow up with administrative steps needed to operationalize the adopted policy changes.