Cave Creek partners with Desert Foothills Land Trust to manage donations for 4,005‑acre open‑space effort

The Cave Creek Town Council unanimously approved an agency agreement with the Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) on May 20 to accept and administer private donations intended to support the town’s planned acquisition of 4,005 acres of open space.

Staff described the agreement as an agency relationship: DFLT will manage donor contributions and provide donor acknowledgement letters that clarify donors are not promised land uses beyond those allowed under zoning. The agreement also authorizes DFLT to perform administrative tasks related to contributions and to issue remittance and acknowledgment letters for tax purposes.

Bill Ullman, board chair of the Desert Foothills Land Trust, thanked council and staff for the partnership. "For 35 years we’ve had a wonderful relationship with the town of Cave Creek," Ullman said, and pledged the organization will help administer private donations.

Bill Bassor, who said he led the finance work group for the open‑space effort, urged the council that transparent donor documentation — a boilerplate donor letter that explains where funds go and what they support — will be crucial to public confidence.

Council member Cynthia (speaker 11) moved to approve the agency agreement; the motion was seconded and carried 7–0. Several council members praised the task force and DFLT’s role in community fundraising.

The agreement creates a mechanism to receive private funds tied to the town’s open‑space acquisition; staff said the final stewardship, land management and zoning remain subject to separate approvals and public process.