June 30, 2026 Town Council Special Session

The Town of Fountain Hills held a special session on June 30, 2026, primarily to discuss and approve a lease agreement with the River of Time Museum. The existing 25-year lease, which charged the museum a nominal rent of one dollar per month, was set to expire on August 15, 2026. Due to legal concerns related to Arizona's gift clause and the need for fair market value, town staff and the museum negotiated a new short-term lease for ten and a half months at $1,000 per month, including public benefit provisions such as free admission days and a third-party economic impact analysis. The council unanimously approved the lease after extensive discussion and public comments emphasizing the legal and fiscal responsibilities involved. Additionally, the council discussed the possibility of pursuing solar energy projects through an RFP process. While some members supported investigating solar installations for potential long-term savings and environmental benefits, others expressed concerns about costs, staff time, and competing priorities like road maintenance. The consensus leaned against moving forward with solar projects at this time, and no formal vote was taken on that matter.