Pinal County, Arizona 

Recovery Plan 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds 

2021 Report 

 
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

Pinal County 

2021 Recovery Plan 

Table of Contents 

General Overview ...................................................................................................................... 2 

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 2 

Uses of Funds ......................................................................................................................... 2 

Promoting Equitable Outcomes ............................................................................................... 5 

Community Engagement ......................................................................................................... 6 

Labor Practices ....................................................................................................................... 6 

Use of Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 7 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ........................................................................... 7 

Project Inventory ....................................................................................................................... 7 

 
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW 

Executive Summary 

Pinal County, Arizona was notified in May 2021 of an allocation of State and Local Fiscal 

Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of 

$89,891, 338. Pinal County submitted the required certifications on May 13, 2021 and received 

Board of Supervisor’s approval to accept the award on May 26, 2021. Pinal County has 

reviewed the Interim Final Rule dated May 10, 2021 and the Compliance and Reporting 

Guidance dated June 17, 2021 to ensure program compliance. When determining the use of the 

funds, Pinal County has taken into consideration the program guidance, allowable activities, and 

public health and welfare. 

Although specific projects have not been identified, Pinal County has determined water and 

sewer infrastructure as the primary focus and use of the SLFRF funds. The county believes 

access to adequate water supplies and sewer systems will provide county residents the greatest 

long term benefit in response to the pandemic and to provide current and future economic 

recovery. Key outcome goals include: 

 Improved access to water supplies 

 Improved access to water flows 

 Improved access to adequate sewer systems 

 New access to water supplies 

 New access to adequate sewer systems 

 Increase in economic development opportunities 

 Increase in private investment 

 Improve economic stability within Pinal County 

In an effort to identify projects, Pinal County elected officials, management, and staff are 

determining the most critical projects and infrastructure needs throughout Pinal County to meet 

the aforementioned outcome goals. Existing efforts and reports including the county’s 

comprehensive plan, land use, zoning ordinances, open space and trails, aquifer protection, 

future growth areas, opportunity zones, and employment centres will aid in this effort. 

Uses of Funds 

Pinal County is committed to an approach that will support a strong and equitable recovery from 

the pandemic. In determining the use of the funds, the county reviewed demographic data from 

the U.S. Census to aid in a strategy that will maximize programmatic impact and effective, 

efficient, and equitable outcomes. Pinal County consists of ten municipalities and four tribal 

communities within 5,386 square miles. 

The following demographics were taken from the U.S. Census website and compares Pinal 

County to the State of Arizona and the United States. 

 Pinal County Arizona United States 

Population 432,793 7,278,717 328,239,523 

Median Household Income $58,174 $62,055 $62,843 

Poverty Rate 13.2% 13.5% 12.3% 

Employment Rate 45.9% 56.8% 59.6% 

https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US04021
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

There are eight (8) Opportunity Zones within Pinal County. The following zones include: 

 04021002103 – southern unincorporated Pinal County near Picacho and Red Rock 

 04021001900 – near areas of Eloy, Arizona City, and Stanfield 

 04021001500 – in Casa Grande 

 04021000700 – in unincorporated Pinal County in San Manuel 

 04021001000 – in Coolidge 

 04021002300 – covering unincorporated Pinal County near Florence Junction 

 04021000400 - covering unincorporated Pinal County near Queen Valley 

 04021000310 – in Apache Junction 

 

 

There are thirteen (13) Qualified Census Tracts (QCT) within Pinal County. The majority of the 

tracts are generally located in or around the communities of Apache Junction (3.15), Florence 

(9.01), Coolidge (10), Casa Grande (13.06, 14.06, 15), and Eloy (20.03, 21.02). There are two 

QCTs within the Gila River Indian Community (9412, 9413), one in the Ak Chin Indian 

Community (17.01) and two identified within the unincorporated communities of Arizona City 

(19), and Stanfield (9414). 
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

If future identified projects are not within a QCT, it is anticipated projects completed can be 

demonstrated to benefit disproportionally effected populations, opportunity zones, and lower 

income residents within the overall Pinal County community. 

Intended Uses 

Pinal County intends to allocate the majority of the funding towards EC 5 - Water and Sewer 

Infrastructure to include new, replacement, or repair of existing infrastructure. Based on the 

demonstrated need within Pinal County, specific areas will be identified. Pinal County will work 

with public and private service providers to complete the projects. 

Pinal County believes investment in water and sewer infrastructure will help to support a strong 

and equitable recovery from the pandemic and economic downturn by investing in critical 

infrastructure. Water and sewer infrastructure impacts the public health and safety of existing 

residents and the economic welfare of current and future residents, employers, and businesses. 

Pinal County’s Comprehensive Plan dated 2019 includes information on water resources. This 

component of the plan estimates the potential future water demand associated with existing and 

projected development, identifies issues relevant to water use and available supplies, and 

provides management practices for future water supplies including goals and policies. 

Potential projects must adhere to regulatory requirements In compliance with Arizona 

Department of Water Resources. Because Pinal County does not maintain or hold ownership 

rights to water or sewer resources, the county must work with other public and private 

organizations on these projects. Pinal County’s responsibility lies within developing policy, 

encouraging the wise use of and protection of water resources within the county, and 

demonstrating a commitment to the health and welfare of its citizens. Within Pinal County there 

are ten communities, four tribal communities, four sanitary districts excluding local government 

publicly owned facilities, and 21 water districts excluding local government facilities. 

Actual Uses 

No projects have been identified. Several projects are being considered and evaluated based 

on the funding requirements. 

Pandemic Approach 

Pinal County is the recipient of various federal program funds under the CARES Act and the 

American Rescue Plan Act. Each program provides restrictions on their use. This has lead the 

county to determine the use of the SLFRF funding for water and sewer because this is not 

otherwise covered under other programs. 

The following is a brief overview of some of the funds Pinal County received and their intended 

uses: 

 Federal Aviation Administration and Arizona Department of Transportation – Airport 

related improvements. 

 State of Arizona (CARES Act) – salary reimbursement for public health and public safety 

personnel. 

 Arizona Criminal Justice Commission – legal, criminal justice, and victim services. 

 Secretary of State – Promoting safe elections 
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

 Community Development Block Grant – nonprofit public services including housing, 

utilities, food, childcare, and public facility improvements. 

 HOME Investment Partnership – housing for persons experiencing homelessness. 

 Emergency Rental Assistance Program – providing rent and utilities to households 

experiencing a hardship due to the pandemic. 

 Housing Choice Vouchers – access to housing opportunities. 

 Department of Justice – public safety projects. 

 Arizona Department of Health Services – COVID testing, vaccinations, and other health 

related services and projects. 

 FEMA – emergency related expenses including personal protective equipment. 

Promoting equitable outcomes 

Pinal County has not identified projects at the time of this report. However, Pinal County is 

committed to demonstrating equitable access through promotion and project selection. Pinal 

County will seek to identify projects that prioritize economic and racial equity with demonstrated 

results to further bring about economic stability to the county and its residents in response to the 

pandemic. Pinal County will further demonstrate the impact of our selected projects with 

quantitative and qualitative data to address the key outcome goals and goals to promote equity 

as identified below. 

 

Key outcome goals include: 

 Improved access to water supplies 

 Improved access to water flows 

 Improved access to adequate sewer systems 

 New access to water supplies 

 New access to adequate sewer systems 

 Increase in economic development opportunities 

 Increase in private investment 

 Improve economic stability within Pinal County 

Goals to promote equity: 

 Complete a minimum of one project within an opportunity zone. 

 Complete a minimum of one project within a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development designated low and moderate income area. 

 Complete a minimum of one project that addresses a historically underserved, 

marginalized, or adversely affected group. 

 Improve awareness through equitable marketing practices. 

Based on the projects identified, Pinal County will demonstrate equity and a balanced approach 

to providing maximum impact within Pinal County. Each project will further demonstrate how the 

county’s demographics are served both through race, ethnicity, age, and income levels. 

The following demographics were taken from the U.S. Census website and compares Pinal 

County to the State of Arizona. 
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

 Pinal County Arizona 

Population 432,793 7,278,717 

Median Household Income $58,174 $62,055 

Poverty Rate 13.2% 13.5% 

Employment Rate 45.9% 56.8% 

American Indian 5.4% 4.6% 

Asian 1.4% 3.3% 

Black or African American 4.6% 4.7% 

Native Hawaiian and Pacific 

Islander 

.3% .2% 

Some other race 4.7% 5% 

Two or More Races 4.4% 3.9% 

Caucasian 79.3% 78.3% 

Hispanic or Latino 30.7% 31.7% 

Non-Hispanic or Latino 56% 54% 

Median Age 39.9% 38.3% 

18 and older 77% 77.5% 

65 and older 19.9% 18% 

Disability 15.4% 13.2% 

https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US04021 

Community Engagement 

Pinal County will provide access to the 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report on the public 

facing county website at: 

https://www.pinalcountyaz.gov/GRANTS/Pages/NoticesDocuments.aspx. Requests for 

information or to provide input on the use of the SLFRF funding may be directed to the Pinal 

County Grants Administrator, Heather Patel at (520) 866-6422, via email at 

heather.patel@pinal.gov. Individuals with a hearing impairment can contact 711. 

Information regarding projects and program access funded through the SLFRF will be broadly 

advertised to the Pinal County community through a variety of media including social media, 

county website, within all print newspapers county-wide, through the county email newsletter, 

distributed throughout county departments where historically underserved, marginalized, or 

adversely affected groups are likely to seek information, and through community partners 

including municipalities, and non-profit organizations that serve historically underserved, 

marginalized, or adversely affected groups. 

Labor Practices 

Pinal County will include Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) prevailing wage requirements 

in all infrastructure projects. Staff will ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor 

(https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/construction). County staff has 

experience with federal awards wherein DBRA was applicable. During the procurement process 

as stipulated in 2 CFR 200, Pinal County will include DBRA language. Pinal County will 

encourage the contractor to hire low income residents to perform non-professional jobs. Pinal 

County will also include affirmative marketing practices to encourage to use of minority owned 

and women owned businesses. 
Pinal County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Use of Evidence 

Pinal County has not identified projects at this time. Therefore, SLFRF funds will not be used for 

evidence-based interventions nor will there be projects evaluated through rigorous program 

evaluations designed to build evidence. 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category 

Between the reporting period May 2021 – July 31, 2021, no projects were identified and no 

funds were expended or encumbered. 

PROJECT INVENTORY 

No projects have been identified at the time of this report.