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ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1431

 

flood control districts; advisory board

Purpose

            Requires, rather than allows, the board of directors of a county flood control district (district) to appoint a citizen's flood control advisory board, modifies the requirements for membership and grants the board access to flood control budget information.

Background

            Statute directs each county to organize a district to include and govern its surrounding area. The county board of supervisors serves as the board of directors of the district. A district is a political taxing subdivision authorized to construct, operate, and maintain flood control works, storm drain facilities, and groundwater recharge facilities and implement flood control enhancement solutions for the benefit of the district. The board must adopt and enforce any floodplain regulations and may adopt a schedule to review applications for permits and variances from or interpretations of the floodplain regulations (A.R.S. § 48-3603).

            Statute authorizes a board of directors to appoint a seven-member citizen's flood control advisory board (advisory board). Of the members, five members must be resident taxpayers of the district and three must be residents of cities in the district. The advisory board has two ex officio members, the city engineer of the largest city in the district and the chief engineer or manager of a major irrigation or agricultural improvement district. The advisory board studies the flood control, regulation, drainage, and conservation needs of the district and informs the board of directors of recommendations (A.R.S. § 48- 3611).

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Requires, rather than allows, the board of directors of a district to appoint a citizens' flood control advisory board consisting of six, rather than seven, members.

2.   Grants the citizens' flood control advisory board access to budget information and to make recommendations regarding the district budget.

3.   Requires each member of the board of directors to appoint one person who is a resident taxpayer and qualified elector of the supervisorial district, at least three of whom must reside in cities.

4.   Removes the requirement for the city engineer of the largest city in the district to be an ex officio member of the advisory board.

5.   Prohibits an appointed member of the advisory board from being a city or town employee.

6.   Allows all persons serving as members of a citizen's flood control advisory board to continue to serve until the expiration of their normal terms.

7.   Makes technical and conforming changes.

8.   Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 1, 2021

KN/RA/gs