Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 3/5/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 7C12
ACTION:  Adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of the City of Tempe’s application for gaming 
grant funds from the Tohono O’odham Nation. (Resolution No. R2026.28)
FISCAL IMPACT:  If granted by the Tohono O’odham Nation, the City of Tempe will receive $100,000 
to fund the program. Sufficient budget appropriation for expenditure of this grant will be requested to be 
included in the Governmental Grants Fund (Fund 46) budget as part of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-
27 adopted budget.
RECOMMENDATION:  Adopt Resolution No. R2026.28.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  Arizona law requires participating tribal communities to contribute 
12% of their annual gaming proceeds to local governments for government services that benefit the 
general public, including public safety, mitigation of gaming impacts, and the promotion of commerce 
and economic development. The City of Tempe annually applies for gaming grants to fund City programs 
and services. Approval of the accompanying resolution would allow the City of Tempe to submit 
application to the Tohono O’odham Nation for the following programs and events:
1.
Double Butte Cemetery Preservation. This request invests in the historical preservation of 
Double Butte Cemetery. A recent comprehensive study and report by Aztec Engineering 
evaluated site infrastructure as well as historical elements such as grave markers/grave plots 
and made recommendations for improvements that should be prioritized at Double Butte 
Cemetery. While the study identified the roads, irrigation system, landscape, and drainage as 
areas of improvement items that the Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will help fund, it 
also identified historic preservation restoration needs with 1,038 (approximately 22%) grave plots 
borders and markers in the pioneer section. The historical elements are not typically items the 
Parks CIP would address as they were not City installed elements. Requested funding will help 
address the highest priority grave plot/marker restoration needs. This grant request is for 
$100,000.
ATTACHMENTS:   03 05 26 RES NO R2026.XX TOHONO OODHAM INTERNAL FINAL.DOCX
STAFF CONTACT(S):  Jonathan Shuffield, Government Relations Director, (480) 350-8922
Department Director:  Jonathan Shuffield, Government Relations Director  
Legal review by:  Clarence Matherson, Jr., Deputy City Attorney
Prepared by:  Erin Fillmore, Management Assistant, Sr