At their Oct. 20 meeting, the Gila County Board of Supervisors approved zoning changes that clear the way for an outdoor resort at the former RC Scout Ranch north of Christopher Creek. They also discussed funding for the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat and began reconsidering the county’s longstanding financial support for Gila Community College.
The former RC Scout Ranch is set to be developed as an outdoor hospitality resort and RV park after the board unanimously approved a zoning change and comprehensive-plan amendment.
The property, located along SR 260 north of Christopher Creek, is currently owned by the Boy Scouts of America Grand Canyon Council and has a long history as a camp and outdoor recreation site.
Remnant Properties plans to purchase and develop the property after obtaining approvals.
The conceptual plan calls for roughly 220 sites, including RV sites, cabins and rustic tent sites. Amenities could include an amphitheater, pickleball courts and a zip line.
Remnant Properties’ attorney, Peter Furlow, said the development would largely use areas of the property that have already been graded or developed. Josh Schiffer of Remnant said they hope to preserve historic structures on the property, including an older lodge.
The County is reconsidering its longstanding financial support for Gila Community College, now that the college has achieved independent accreditation.
For years, the county has provided an annual $250,000 to the college through an economic development intergovernmental agreement, intended to support the college's effort to obtain independence and accreditation.
That purpose has now been fulfilled, said Josh Beck, Director of Gila County Environmental Health Services.
However, the college has requested another $250,000 for the current fiscal year, apparently to help pay for ADA-compliant restrooms.
Supervisor Woody Cline questioned whether the county should continue providing the full amount. He said he supported the county’s previous assistance with accreditation, but suggested future needs should be considered individually.
“To do a standing $250,000 like we have every year, I think those days need to be kind of over,” Cline said.
Christensen questioned whether it was prudent to transfer general fund revenues to another taxing district while the county is facing its own financial pressures, including employee compensation and flood-related obligations.
Chairman Tim Humphrey argued for keeping some funding available for education, but returning to a grant system in which the college would have to make a specific request and the board could decide whether a particular expenditure should receive county support.
Moving the discussion beyond the college, the board raised the possibility that future county education grants could be made available to other educational institutions.
The supervisors agreed that another work session is needed, potentially with representatives of the college, other educational institutions and the county school superintendent.
A $3 million state appropriation for the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat can be used not only for construction but also to establish, maintain and operate the facility, after the board passed an amendment to its agreement with the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.
The amendment was necessary because the original agreement used the term “construction,” but the state legislation that authorized the appropriation back in 2023 referred to establishing, maintaining and operating the retreat — not only constructing it.
Finance Director Maryn Belling said existing purchase orders will be paid from the state appropriation, but that will leave approximately $1.1 million remaining.
Josh Beck, director of the county's environmental health services department, estimated annual operating costs at approximately $200,000 to $300,000. The goal is ultimately for Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat Inc. to support those costs, but the amended agreement allows the county to fund operations out of the remaining state appropriation while the facility becomes established.
Three projects of the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection projects resulting from the September 2025 flooding — Copper Hills, Ice House Canyon and Russell Gulch — are complete, according to Joseph Dickison and Matt Rencher from public works.
The hospital's flood wall is also about 90% complete, with less than 100 feet remaining. A final walkthrough is expected in early November.
The supervisors approved an extension of the federal NRCS agreement through March 26, 2027, allowing additional time to complete the flood wall and for administrative closeout.
The board also accepted a drainage easement needed for additional bank protection in Six Shooter Canyon and ratified several emergency contracts previously entered into under the county’s September 2025 flood emergency declaration.
County operations and public safety
Renewing a contract with Trinity Services Group Inc. in an amount not to exceed $470,354.49 for food services at the Gila County Detention Center.
Amending an engagement agreement with Pierce Coleman PLLC in an amount not to exceed $49,900 for legal representation of the Gila County Personnel Commission, and ratifying $759 in previously provided legal services.
Amending an agreement with Tyler Technologies Inc. in the amount of $70,515 in one-time costs and $25,313 in annual recurring costs for a countywide time-and-attendance system. County IT Director Carrie Bartling said the county expects an 2026 fiscal year audit finding because some 24-hour departments still use manual timekeeping.
Approving a contract with Justice AV Solutions Inc. in an amount not to exceed $662,647.33 for standardized audiovisual systems in county courtrooms and the board of supervisors' hearing room.
Approving an agreement with the Arizona Department of Administration General Accounting Office in the amount of $1,000 annually for continuing participation in the state’s OpenBooks financial-transparency portal.
Approving an agreement with the Forest Service for county maintenance of forest service roads from October 1, 2026, through November 30, 2030.
Approving an intergovernmental agreement with the San Carlos Apache Tribe in the amount of $3,000 to support the tribe’s annual Pow Wow on Nov. 7–8.
Approving an economic-development agreement with Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $49,990 for the Gila Proud Highway 60 Corridor Maintenance Program. The program provides vegetation maintenance along about 10 miles of the Highway 60 corridor and is supported by the county, municipalities, mines, the hospital and other businesses.
Approving a fiscal-agent grant agreement among the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Gila County and Hellsgate Fire District in the amount of $53,430.06 for emergency-response technology modernization. The program is funded through gaming, and will help with scheduling for firefighters, training and tracking maintenance on an apparatus. It also includes a voluntary community feature allowing residents to provide firefighters with information about hazards or household members who need assistance during an emergency.
Authorizing an appropriation to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in the amount of $70,000 for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Amending a contract with the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens/Central Arizona Aging to receive $19,088 for home repair, renovation and housing-support services for eligible residents.
Purchasing tax-deeded parcel 207-18-00003K from the State of Arizona in the amount of $771.70 for a roadway improvement project. The parcel is located in Globe and had been slated for auction.
Purchasing tax-deeded parcel 205-04-03X from the State of Arizona in the amount of $265.41 for transportation purposes.
Extending a contract with GH2 Architects LLC through Dec. 31, 2026, with maximum compensation of $67,518, for design and construction administration services for the Rally Around the Flags project. The project is on track for completion around mid-November, and the extra time allows for administrative closeout.
Extending a contract with The S J Anderson Company through Dec. 31, 2026, with maximum compensation of $333,546.98, for construction of the Rally Around the Flags project.
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