Payson commissioners ask staff for briefing on water review process; staff to send training materials

During the May 5 meeting, a commissioner expressed concern about Payson’s water and asked for an educational briefing on how water reviews are handled for development projects — specifically whether reviews fall under town authority or the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

The commissioner said they were “very concerned about Payson’s water” and asked whether the commission could receive education on the review process. Planning staff replied that the town’s water department reviews development submittals and offered to send information and a new training video as well as the meeting recap to help commissioners learn the process.

A second commissioner pointed out the item was not on the current agenda and asked whether the matter should be placed on a future meeting for formal discussion; the requesting commissioner answered that receiving the materials first would be helpful. Staff agreed to provide the requested materials and stated they are preparing meeting recaps and training resources for commissioners.

Separately, staff informed the commission that a Juniper Pine civil and final plat submittal was received for the area near State Route 216 and Chaparral Pines, and reminded commissioners of a joint meeting next Monday with the airport commission and a planned July review of proposed changes to the Unified Development Code.