Council adopts 2025–26 legislative platform; town staff to push state outreach on water, revenue and transportation

The Town of Florence adopted its 2025–26 legislative platform after a presentation from Jeff Graves, who summarized key bills and themes in the 57th Arizona Legislature that could affect the town.

Graves highlighted major topics the town will monitor and act on: housing and zoning preemption bills (by‑right housing and restrictions on design standards), legislation to reduce state‑shared revenues (including proposed repeal of the food tax and other tax cuts that could reduce urban revenue sharing), and water policy proposals such as Senator Schop’s Ag‑to‑Urban conversion bill. He flagged a proposed ballot resolution to repeal municipal food taxes and a bill that would require a supermajority to raise new local taxes or fees.

Graves also noted possible funding opportunities of interest to Florence, including a one‑time allocation to the State Park Heritage Fund and a proposed $7.5 million rural transportation allocation for Hunt Highway widening. Councilmembers discussed outreach steps and encouraged meetings with their legislative delegations in LD7 and LD16; several councilmembers asked staff to schedule follow‑up meetings and to circulate guidance on how residents and council can register positions, sign up to speak and contact legislators.

Council approved the legislative platform by motion and vote. Staff said it will continue weekly monitoring via the League’s legislative calls and schedule individual meetings with legislators to raise Florence priorities.