City Council Study Session | Oct 5, 2026

The City of Casa Grande City Council held a study session on October 5, 2026 (the meeting metadata lists October 6). Staff reviewed a proposed update to the city’s building, fire, and energy codes, moving from a code basis last substantially updated in 2019 to newer model codes, with public input through the Board of Appeals. Proposed local amendments would address Arizona statutes, fire-safety requirements, and flexibility for development, including allowing fire barriers as an alternative to sprinklers in some cases. Staff also presented a draft modernization of the landscape code, in place since 1998, covering landscaping, parking-lot islands, buffers, stormwater areas, and alternative compliance. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the draft, and staff anticipated bringing an ordinance to Council in November. No code or landscape ordinance was adopted at this study session.

The Fire Chief reviewed the city ambulance program’s finances and billing, noting rising operating costs, an outstanding receivables balance of about $1.2 million across roughly 1,400 accounts, and existing billing support from EMSMC and independent review by James Vincent Group. The Chief said he would seek Council authorization at the regular meeting to submit a general rate-adjustment application to the Arizona Department of Health Services; that authorization would permit an application, not approve a rate increase, which only the state can authorize. Staff also discussed a proposed next step for delinquent bills, affordability concerns, and a request to research whether the city had previously committed to billing only insurers. No procurement award, contract approval, or vote occurred during the study session.