Town Council FAQ's
1. When are Council Meetings Held?
The Sahuarita Council holds their regularly scheduled meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Sahuarita Council Chambers, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita. If the day fixed for a regular meeting falls on a legal holiday, the meeting is held on the next succeeding day which is not a holiday unless otherwise designated by Council.
Additional meetings such as study sessions and special meetings may be called at the direction of the Mayor and Council. These meetings are scheduled on an as needed basis for the purpose of information and discussion and possible action. Public input is not usually taken at a study session as the meeting is for informational purposes only.
2. Are all Council Meetings open to the public?
Yes, except when the Council recesses for an Executive Session. Executive Session is a closed meeting called by the Council for the purpose of considering certain limited matters such as legal advice, pending litigation, property acquisition, personnel matters, etc., pursuant to ARS Sec. 38-431.03.
3. How may I participate in a Council Meeting?
Citizen participation is invited and encouraged by the Town Council. The general public is welcomed at all Council meetings, and any person may speak on matters on the agenda, or any other appropriate subject. However, in order to assure fair consideration of each item and of all the viewpoints to be presented, certain general rules regarding the appropriate time to speak and length of time spoken must be followed. Click here for form
4. May I speak at a Council Meeting?
Any person may speak on matters on the agenda or any other appropriate subjects. A speaker must fill out a speaker card and given it to the Town Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Speaker cards are available at the meeting and online. Click here for form
At each point in the meeting when it is appropriate for citizens to speak the Mayor will so indicate. Each citizen wishing to speak should approach the microphone and state your name for the record. All comments must be addressed to the Town Council as a whole and not to an individual Council Member and must be limited to three minutes or less. No person, other than the individual speaking, shall enter into the discussion without the Mayor’s permission.
5. What is the “Call to the Public” Agenda Item and how may I speak under this item?
Comments on issues not on the Council agenda can be made under “Call to the Public”, which occurs at the beginning of the meeting.
- State Law requires that Call to the Public be limited to discussions on Town issues which are on the Consent Agenda and/or issues which the Town can lawfully act upon at a future meeting. No discussion is permitted on issues over which the Town Council does not have the power to act in the future.
- Remarks must be limited to three minutes or less and should only consist of general statements about the Town or the Town Council as a whole, and not personal attacks or direct arguments. If the issue you are raising is not listed on the agenda, State Law prohibits the Town council from discussing your issue, or even responding to your concern at this meeting.
- At the conclusion of Call to the Public, individual members of the Town Council may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the Council; ask staff to review the matter, or request that the matter be placed on a future agenda.
6. Where do I find the Council meeting notices, agendas, and minutes?
All Council and Board and Commission meeting notices, agendas and minutes are provided on the Town’s website as a public service. The town’s official bulletin board for posting public notices of the meetings of the town is located outside the Sahuarita Town Hall Building at 375 West Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita, Arizona. The posting board is located on the exterior of the facility and notices are available for the public to view 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please be advised that only the town’s official bulletin board may be relied on for official posting under the Arizona Open Meeting Law. To view the meeting notice, agendas or minutes click here.
