Work that Queen Creek paid for last year but did not finish is about to move onto this year's books. A consent item on the Town Council's Wednesday, Oct. 7, agenda would shift $106.3 million in spending authority out of contingency so those projects and purchases can continue.
The move does not raise the fiscal 2026-27 budget, according to a staff report from Deputy Town Manager and Chief Financial Officer Scott McCarty. When the budget was adopted, staff did not yet know how much of the prior year's work would spill over, so it parked estimates in contingency. With the old fiscal year closed, the real numbers are in.
Where the money goes
About $73.5 million covers contracts and purchase orders that were signed but not completed when the fiscal year ended. The other $32.8 million is project money the council approved earlier that had not yet been put under contract. Infrastructure accounts for $96.1 million of the total, and operating funds for $10.2 million.
By category, according to the staff summary:
- Water projects: $42.6 million
- Drainage and transportation: $22.4 million
- General capital projects: $21 million
- Wastewater: $10.1 million
- Emergency services operating fund: $4.7 million
Among the uncommitted project balances are $4.8 million for Hawes Road between Rittenhouse and Ocotillo, $4 million for police radio towers and related equipment, $2 million for Power Road from Chandler Heights to Riggs, $2.2 million for Harquahala water supply infrastructure and $1.4 million for Ellsworth bridge and Queen Creek Wash drainage.
The report says the council could drop any project that has not started, which would stop it.
