Council to take action on draft Contract No. 32600247 between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation, and a firm that will be selected through the ongoing General Plan Update Request fo

4.E
CITY OF BUCKEYE
Regular Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 07/07/26
AGENDA ITEM: 4.E. DS - General Plan
Update Contract
DATE PREPARED: 07/07/26
DISTRICT NO.:
STAFF LIAISON: Mandy Woods, Principal Planner, swoods@buckeyeaz.gov,
(623) 640-6093
DEPARTMENT: Development Services
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
Items / New Business
ACTION/MOTION: (This language identifies the formal motion to be made by the Council) 
Council to take action on draft Contract No. 32600247 between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona
municipal corporation, and a firm that will be selected through the ongoing General Plan Update Request
for Qualifications (RFQ) process; and, once a firm is awarded the project, authorize the City Manager to
approve the final version of Contract No. 32600247 between the City of Buckeye and the selected firm,
provided the total contract amount is $750,000 or less.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS AREAS: 
Economic Growth
SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Arizona Revised Statutes require municipalities to prepare a comprehensive General Plan
describing the municipality's vision, goals, and policies addressing several topics or "elements," including
land use, parks and open space, water and wastewater, public safety, economic development,
transportation, sustainability, and more. Every ten years, the General Plan must be ratified by voters.
The City’s current General Plan, Imagine Buckeye 2040, was adopted by City Council in April 2018 and
ratified by voters in August 2018. Buckeye has continued to grow significantly since 2018, and a major
update - and subsequent voter ratification - to the City’s General Plan is due in 2028. Though
Development Services will take the lead on project management, the General Plan is a critical visioning
document for all City departments. Given the scale of the effort, it is important to start the process early
to maximize citizen involvement, ensure strong community support, and meet statutory deadlines. The
General Plan Update RFQ 32600247 was issued on May 20, 2026, and submittals from firms are due
June 18, 2026. Following the evaluation process, it is anticipated that a firm will be selected in July or
August 2026. Provided Council approves the proposed not-to-exceed amount, the City Manager will be
authorized to approve the final version of Contract No. 32600247 - with a total contract amount of
$750,000 or less - between the City of Buckeye and the selected firm.
BENEFITS:
The approval of the not-to-exceed contract amount of $750,000 will allow project work to commence in a
timely manner after a firm is selected, which is crucial for a project of this scale and complexity. Approval
of the proposed not-to-exceed project amount will allow for a comprehensive General Plan scope of work
and diverse public participation process commensurate with Buckeye's size and continued growth.
FUTURE ACTION:
The General Plan Update planning process will involve a diverse public participation plan, including but
not limited to, community workshops, charettes, stakeholder meetings, focus group meetings, in-person
and digital engagement tools, and numerous workshops with both Council and Planning and Zoning
Commission. The final updated General Plan will proceed to adoption hearings in 2028, followed by voter
ratification.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this not-to-exceed contract amount will authorize expenditure of up to $750,000 on the future
executed Contract No. 32600247. The $750,000 amount will come from the Development Services
Department Planning Division budget. $450,000 is budgeted for fiscal year 2027, and the remainder will
be requested and allocated in the following fiscal year's budget.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
N/A
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TOTAL COST:
$450,000
BUDGETED:
Yes
FISCAL YEAR:
FY 26/27 and FY 27/28
FUND/DEPARTMENT:
Supplemental - Professional Services, Fund Code: 10005183-530037
Items related to a project or facility location must include an attached vicinity map for Council
Review.
ATTACHMENTS:
RFQ No. 32600247 - General Plan Update.pdf