Presentation

Town of Wickenburg — Regular Meeting (2026-03-16)

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TOWN OF WICKENBURG
Annexation Strategy
March 16, 2026
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director

Annexation Overview
2
• Annexation is the process of expanding the Town boundaries
• Supports growth through increased public revenues (sales, bed, property,
state-shared)
• Can partially fund essential town services

Purpose of Strategy
3
• Established clear framework & priorities
• Aligns with Section 2-7 of the Town Code
• Fulfills an objective in the strategic plan for the Town Council
• Ensures strategic, beneficial annexations
• Reinforces 2045 General Plan Goal
• LU-12

Legal Requirements
4
• Area must be contiguous to Town boundary (min. 300 ft)
• Minimum width: 200 ft (excluding right of ways)
• Length less than 2x width of boundary (shape)
• Petitions: ≥50% property owners & ≥ 50% assessed value
• State Trust Land needs Selection Board approval (not regular)
• Federal land annexation allowed without federal consent

Evaluation Criteria
5
• Ability to provide service within 10 years.
Infrastructure needs-Hwy 93 corridor example
Roads and utilities
• Fiscal impact analysis (cost vs revenue)
• Consistency with the 2045 General Plan & Strategic Plan
• Zoning compatibility
• Community support & engagement
• Road upgraded to Town standards

Evaluation Criteria (cont.)
6
• Subdivision infrastructure improvement
before annexation
• Square off Town limits; reduce peninsulas
• Target areas with tax revenue potential
• Prioritize large, contiguous areas
• Opportunities for Town gateway signage
• Include revenue-generating commercial
properties

Annexation History
7
• Jurisdiction doubled in
land area since 2005
• 27.23 Square miles or
17,400 Acres

8
Wickenburg Municipal Planning Area
• Town of Wickenburg MPA
• 434 Square Miles

Proposed Priority Areas
9
• Southeast along US 60

Proposed Priority Areas
10
• Southwest near Rancho de los Caballeros

Proposed Priority Areas
11
• Flying E Ranch & Interstate-11/US 60 Intersection

Pre-Annexation Agreements
12
• Tool for managing large project (e.g., Wickenburg Ranch)
• Often paired with Development Agreements
• Typically for commercial or large residential projects
• Not recommended or required for individual residential parcels

Fiscal Impact Assessment
13
• Each annexation proposal staff must:
q Project growth & land use
q Assess demand for services
q Estimate revenues (sales, property tax, etc.)
q Calculate infrastructure & service delivery costs

Conclusion
14
• A structured, forward-looking annexation strategy which provides the “why”
to annex certain areas
• Supports:
• Long-term community growth
• Fiscal responsibility
• Preservation of community character
• Enables informed decision-making for sustainable expansion
• Planning and Zoning Commission approved
• Recommend Approval with proposed Resolution

Questions?
15