Queen Creek council approves short-term lease for staff space after debate over buying property

Queen Creek Town Council approved item 8C — a lease agreement providing temporary space for town staff — following debate about whether the town should instead pursue purchasing the property. The council voted 5-2 to approve the lease; opponents said acquisition should be prioritized where feasible.

The item was removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration after Councilmember Padilla said the proposed budget adjustment — $232,000 for year one and additional ongoing costs — made buying the property potentially more fiscally prudent if a favorable price could be negotiated. Padilla said, “If we need staffing needs that last for multiple years, I would propose that it saves the town money for us to consider acquiring a property instead of leasing it.”

Dave, the town’s capital improvement (CIP) director, told council staff first identified the space roughly a…