Minutes 03/16/26 Regular Mtg.

MINUTES 
 
WICKENBURG COMMON COUNCIL 
REGULAR MEETING 
Monday, March 16, 2026 - 5:30 P.M. 
155 N. TEGNER - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 
WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85390 
 
A. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Bratcher called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM  
 
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Town Manager Troy Smith 
 
C. INVOCATION - Led by Pastor Duane Middleton, Mt. Hope Assembly of God Church 
 
D. ROLL CALL 
Present: 
Mayor BG Bratcher  
Vice Mayor Brian Jones 
Councilmember Kristy Bedoian 
Councilmember Shawn Clark  
Councilmember Margaret Nyberg  
Councilmember Art Rubash 
Absent: 
Councilmember Rebecca Rovey 
Staff Present: 
Troy Smith, Town Manager 
Trish Stuhan, Town Attorney 
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director 
Amy Brown, Town Clerk 
Cason Chambers, Public Works Director 
Ken Lutkiewicz, Police Lieutenant 
Robert Martinez, Finance Director 
Ed Temerowski, Fire Chief 
 
E. MAYOR & COUNCILMEMBERS REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS 
• Mayor BG Bratcher read the proclamation for First Responder’s Appreciation Day 
on April 25, 2026 
• Councilmember Art Rubash reported that spring sports are underway.  
• Councilmember Kristy Bedoian reported that the Economic Development and 
Transportation Advisory Committee (EDTAC) met and received a marketing 
report from Wasatch Mountain.  
• Mayor BG Bratcher expressed condolences on the passing of former Mayor Ron 
Badowski who served on Council from 1998-2004 and then was Mayor from 
2004-2008. She attended the following meetings: 
o Central Arizona Project (CAP) Board meeting regarding water 
o 1st Responders reading night at the library

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o Prop 479 groundbreaking project 
o West Valley Education Forum 
o West Valley Mayors and Legislature Transportation Committee 
o Luke West Valley Council 
o Avondale State of the City 
o West Valley Mayors meeting with US Senator Mark Kelly 
o Wild West Days at Vulture City 
 
F. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT 
• Town Manager Troy Smith met with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment 
System (AHCCCS) along with Mayor Bratcher and Town Attorney Stuhan 
regarding the town’s response in opposition to the construction project for 
apartments. The draft of the zoning code update is on the town website with a 
clean copy and a redlined version. There will be an open house regarding the 
zoning code on March 25th at 5:30 at the Community Center or comments can be 
submitted on the town’s website. Pavement preservation is starting this week 
with chip sealing several roads. New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen 
will be at the library on March 21st. Desserts in the Desert will be on April 1st at 
the library. West Fest will be on April 4th in Stone Park from 11-2. 
 
G. FINAL CALL for Request to Speak Cards to be turned into the Town Clerk.  
 
H. CALL TO THE PUBLIC - None 
 
I. ITEMS OF BUSINESS 
 
1. Action on the Consent Agenda - 
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones to approve items a and b of the consent 
agenda 
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg 
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers 
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, and Rubash) 
 
a. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of 
March 2, 2026 
 
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the 
minutes of March 2, 2026. 
 
b. Consideration and Action to Adopt Resolution No. 2390 Renewing 
Membership in the Arizona Metropolitan Trust for Employee Benefits for an 
Additional Three-Year Term 
 
Tarah Mayerhofer, HR Director, reported in her Council routing form that the 
Arizona Metropolitan Trust (AzMT) is an employee benefits consortium 
formed pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-952 et seq., which 
authorizes intergovernmental agreements between public agencies. AzMT is 
open to cities, towns, counties, fire districts, municipal corporations, and other

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eligible political subdivisions located within the State of Arizona. 
 
Established effective July 1, 2012, AzMT is governed by a Trust Agreement 
and Bylaws and operates as a public-sector risk-sharing pool for benefits. 
Current member entities include the City of Apache Junction, City of El 
Mirage, Town of Fountain Hills, City of Litchfield Park, Town of Paradise 
Valley, Sun City Fire District, Town of Guadalupe, Town of Cave Creek, Town 
of Youngtown, and Town of Wickenburg. 
 
Each participating entity appoints one (1) Trustee and one (1) Alternate 
Trustee to represent its organization in the governance and administration of 
the Trust. Trustees meet regularly to oversee financial performance, plan 
design, vendor partnerships, actuarial projections, compliance matters, and 
long-term sustainability of the benefit programs. 
 
Providing competitive and sustainable employee health benefits continues to 
be one of the most significant financial and operational challenges facing 
public employers. National healthcare trends, pharmaceutical costs, utilization 
patterns, and regulatory requirements create ongoing budgetary pressure for 
municipalities. Participation in AzMT allows the town to collaboratively 
manage these challenges through pooled purchasing power, shared risk, 
actuarial oversight, and collective governance. 
 
Membership in AzMT provides the town with several advantages: 
• 
Greater financial stability through risk-sharing across a larger member 
base 
• 
Enhanced bargaining power when procuring benefit-related services and 
vendors 
• 
Access to experienced actuarial, legal, and benefit consulting resources 
• 
Reduced administrative overhead compared to independently managed 
plans 
• 
Participation in benefit offerings designed to remain competitive in 
recruitment and retention efforts 
• 
Direct governance involvement through Trustee representation 
 
Continued participation supports the town’s strategic workforce objectives by 
maintaining comprehensive and competitive employee benefits while 
promoting long-term fiscal stability. Approval of the resolution authorizes 
continued participation in the Trust and acceptance of the Trust Agreement 
and Bylaws, which are attached for Council review. Should the town elect to 
withdraw from the Trust in the future, written notice must be provided in 
accordance with the termination provisions outlined in the Trust Agreement. 
 
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve 
Resolution No. 2390 renewing the Town’s membership in the Arizona 
Metropolitan Trust and authorizing the Town Manager to execute all 
documents.

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2. Presentation as Required by the Arizona Auditor General Regarding the Audit 
Results for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 
 
Robert Martinez, Finance Director, stated that the state requires the audit report 
to be presented to the Town Council each year. Richard Gillespie, Advisent LLP, 
stated that the audit starts in July with the engagement letter and management 
meeting. Preliminary fieldwork was done in July 2025 with the final fieldwork 
done in November 2025. The audit reports were finalized in February 2026. 
 
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) concluded with an 
unmodified “clean” opinion for the period ending June 30, 2025. Below is the 
information regarding the ACFR:  
• Scope of Audit Services: Perform an audit in accordance with U.S. generally 
accepted auditing standards, Government Auditing Standards. 
• Audit Responsibilities: Design procedures to provide reasonable assurance 
on financial reports, not absolute assurance. 
• New Accounting Standards Implemented: For the period ending June 30, 
2025, the Town implemented the provisions of the following GASB 
Statements: 
✓ No. 101, Compensated Absences 
✓ No. 102, Certain Risk Disclosures 
• Opinion Rendered: An unmodified opinion was provided on the Annual 
Comprehensive Financial Report.  
• Audit Opinion (Page 13): Opinion on the financial statements. 
• Management Discussion and Analysis (Page 17): Discussion of key changes 
in financial activity. 
• Basic Financial Statements (Page 26): Financial data. 
• Budget to Actual Schedules (Page 71): Budgetary Comparison Schedules for 
the General Fund and major special revenue funds 
• Statistical Section – Unaudited (Page 87): Financial Trends, Revenue 
Capacity, Debt Capacity, Demographic and Economic Information, and 
Operating Information 
 
The report on internal control over financial reporting shows no significant 
deficiencies reported. There were three material weaknesses reported: material 
audit adjustments, bank reconciliations, and year-end expenditure cutoff. No 
noncompliance or other matters were reported. The bank reconciliations were not 
done for the first six months of the fiscal year but were completed once the 
Finance Director began working at the town.  
 
The Governance Communication states that no disagreements were noted with 
management and the auditors encountered no difficulties in performing the audit. 
Advisent and all firm personnel were independent from the town. Management’s 
estimate of useful lives of capital assets were reasonable in relation to the 
financial statements taken as a whole. Advisent also provided non-audit services 
including assistance in compiling the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report 
and the Finance Director mitigated risk of independence by performing review.

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There were some corrected misstatements including grant recording, sales tax 
and state shared revenues cutoff, capital assets, and expenditure cutoff which 
happens when there is turnover.  
 
The auditors examined the Annual Expenditure Limitation Report for the fiscal 
year ended June 30, 2025, in accordance with the Uniform Expenditure 
Reporting System. The town was under the expenditure limitation by 
$31,451,563. 
 
 
 
They also examined the town’s compliance as to whether expenditures made 
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, from Highway User Revenue Fund 
monies received by the town pursuant to ARS § Title 28, Chapter 18, Article 2, 
and any other dedicated state transportation revenues received by the town were 
used solely for the authorized transportation purposes prescribed in Article IX, 
§14, of the Arizona Constitution. There were no findings.  
 
3. Consideration and Action to Approve Resolution 2391 Approving the Town of 
Wickenburg Annexation Strategy 
 
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, stated that the Town Council 
reviewed the initial draft strategy at the September 15, 2025 study session. At 
that meeting, the Council recommended that the Planning and Zoning 
Commission review the strategy and provide a recommendation. The Planning 
and Zoning Commission subsequently reviewed the proposed annexation 
strategy and recommended approval at its regular meeting in October 2025. 
 
This strategy establishes a consistent, transparent, and forward-looking 
framework for evaluating and pursuing annexation opportunities that support the 
town’s long-term growth, fiscal sustainability, and community character. 
 
Annexation is the process by which the Town of Wickenburg may assume 
jurisdiction over contiguous unincorporated territory. When strategically 
implemented, annexation can: 
• 
Expand the town’s service area 
• 
Increase public revenues through sales tax, bed tax, property tax, and state-
shared revenues 
• 
Support essential municipal services such as public safety, libraries, and 
parks and recreation 
 
The strategy also aligns with the Town’s 2045 General Plan, which identifies the 
need to update annexation procedures to ensure clarity, efficiency, and

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alignment with community goals. While all annexations must comply with Arizona 
Revised Statutes (ARS § 9-471), this strategy provides a local decision-making 
framework for prioritizing and implementing annexation efforts. 
 
Annexation requires compliance with specific statutory criteria. The proposed 
strategy addresses these requirements, including: 
• 
Contiguity of at least 300 feet 
• 
Minimum width of 200 feet (excluding roads) 
• 
Petition approval by more than 50% of the land area and more than 50% of 
the assessed valuation 
• 
Special provisions for federal and State Trust lands 
 
Annexation proposals will be evaluated based on both state requirements and 
locally established criteria, including: 
• 
The town’s ability to provide basic services within 10 years at a favorable 
revenue-to-cost ratio 
• 
A fiscal impact analysis for each proposal 
• 
Consistency with the 2045 General Plan and Strategic Plan 
• 
Infrastructure needs and zoning compatibility 
• 
Level of property owner support 
• 
Opportunities to rationalize town boundaries and eliminate “peninsulas” 
• 
Potential for economic benefit through commercial tax revenue 
• 
Opportunities for gateway signage and branding 
 
Over the past 20 years, Wickenburg’s jurisdictional boundary has nearly doubled. 
The incorporated area now totals 27.23 square miles. All annexed areas fall 
within the Town of Wickenburg’s 434-square-mile Municipal Planning Area 
(MPA). 
 
Strategic annexations within the MPA remain a priority. Several priority areas for 
annexation have been identified, subject to change based on Council direction. 
Areas of interest include: 
• 
Southeast along US 60 
• 
Southwest near Rancho de los Caballeros 
• 
Flying E Ranch and the I-11/US 60 intersection 
 
Historically, the town utilized pre-annexation agreements for general residential 
annexations. While these agreements provided some assurance to property 
owners, they did not always carry legal standing. Pre-annexation agreements 
have generally proven most effective for large residential or commercial projects 
(such as Wickenburg Ranch) and may be paired with Development Agreements. 
Staff will evaluate their applicability on a case-by-case basis. 
 
Each annexation proposal will include: 
• 
Land use and growth projections 
• 
Service demand assessments 
• 
Revenue projections

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• 
Cost estimates for infrastructure and service delivery 
• 
Fiscal impact analysis 
 
Adoption of the strategy itself has no direct fiscal impact. However, future 
annexations considered under this framework will be guided by detailed fiscal 
analyses to help ensure positive or neutral revenue-to-cost outcomes. 
 
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to approve Resolution 2391 
approving the Town of Wickenburg Annexation Strategy 
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg 
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers 
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, and Rubash) 
 
4. Consideration and Action Approving a Notice of Intent to Adopt the Proposed 
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Consolidated Fee Schedule 
 
Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported that annually Council sets a new fee schedule 
through the budget process. Department Directors facilitate an annual review of 
fees and charges in their respective departments. The Town Manager has 
directed staff to set fees at cost recovery. Council maintains the authority to 
adjust fees to create revenue centers or subsidize programs and services. 
 
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, reviewed his requested changes 
to the fee schedule.

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Rosa Garcia-Marquez, Court Administrator, reviewed the court’s requested 
changes to the fee schedule.  
 
 
 
Ken Lutkiewicz, Police Lieutenant, reviewed the police department request for 
changes.

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Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, also reviewed the recreation and 
rental requests for changes.

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Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported that is for the notice of intent to change the fee 
schedule. It will then be posted on the town website for 60-days and will come 
back to the Council on May 18th for the final approval. If all the changes are 
approved, then at this point fees can only be reduced from the proposed amount, 
they can’t be increased. 
 
MOVED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg to approve the Notice of Intent to 
adopt the Town of Wickenburg Fiscal Year 2026-27 Consolidated Fee Schedule 
SECONDED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian 
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers 
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, and Rubash) 
 
J. EXECUTIVE SESSION - (Council May Vote to Go Into Executive Session Pursuant 
to A.R.S §38-431.03(A)(3) to Receive Legal Advice from the Town Attorney on Any 
of the Above Agenda Items.) 
 
K. SCHEDULING OF FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS - None 
 
L. ADJOURNMENT  
MOVED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg to adjourn at approximately 6:25 PM 
SECONDED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian  
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Bedoian, 
Clark, Nyberg, and Rubash) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTEST: 
 
 
 
 
 
                                BG Bratcher, Mayor 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amy Brown, Town Clerk 
CERTIFICATION 
I, Amy Brown, the duly appointed and qualified Town Clerk of the Town of Wickenburg, 
do hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes 
of the regular meeting of the Town Council of Wickenburg, Arizona held on March 16, 
2026. I further certify the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was 
present.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amy Brown, MMC 
Town Clerk