Marana Council Certifies Primary Results, Reworks Sewer Plan for Growth East of I-10
MARANA — The Marana Town Council on Aug. 4 certified the results of the town's July 21 primary election and amended its 2022 wastewater plan, shifting roughly $1.6 million between two sewer projects to re-route and enlarge a main serving development east of Interstate 10 without raising impact fees.
The council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2026-057, entering into the record the official canvass received from Pima County for the July 21 primary. Under Arizona law the canvass must be adopted no fewer than six days and no more than 20 days after an election.
Members also unanimously approved Resolution No. 2026-056, amending the 2022 wastewater infrastructure plan. Staff said the change eliminates a redundant parallel main and lets the sewer work be built alongside the Clark Farms Boulevard extension, so a newly finished road will not have to be torn up later. Asked whether the new alignment would still carry flow by gravity, staff said the sizing is sufficient for full buildout of the North Marana service area, though a lift station and force main are planned to bring flows across I-10 into the enlarged line. Wastewater impact fees do not change.
Single-family residential permits reached 124 in July, more than double the 51 issued in July 2025, the town manager reported. Marana closed fiscal year 2026 with 904 single-family permits, down slightly from 970 the year before.
During the call to the public, two residents criticized the town's handling of a federal immigration detention facility operated within town limits by Management & Training Corporation. One faulted the town manager for relying on verbal assurances from the operator that a federal notice listing 1,300 beds does not reflect actual capacity, arguing the town should have pressed the Department of Homeland Security to correct the figure formally. A council member said the operating agreement caps capacity at 750 and that the agreement, signed nearly three decades ago, cannot be changed unilaterally by the town.
The council voted unanimously to enter executive session on two pending litigation matters — Unrein v. Town of Marana and Town of Marana v. Barker Contracting, Inc. — and on returning directed staff and attorneys to proceed as discussed in each closed session.
Also discussed:
- Design of a new air traffic control tower at Marana Regional Airport is at 60% and on track for final design by Oct. 31, with construction possible by the end of 2028 if FAA grant funding comes through
- Liquor license recommendations approved for Kirin Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar (acquisition of control, Series 12) and Chipotle Mexican Grill No. 5674 at 11302 W. Tangerine Road (new Series 12)
- Consent agenda approved unanimously, including police intergovernmental agreements with AZDPS for the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force and the GIITEM gang task force, an ATF eTrace memorandum of understanding, dark fiber license agreements with MMR Fiber Solutions LLC and Bicentel LLC, and a subdivision performance guarantee ordinance amendment