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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
townsites; trustees; board of supervisors.
Purpose
Designates the trustee of a townsite as the county board of supervisors (county BOS) of the county in which the townsite is located, rather than the judge of the superior court.
Background
The governing body of an incorporated city or town, or the judge of the
superior court of the county in which an unincorporated town is located, is the
designated trustee to administer a townsite trust. The trustee oversees the
management and administration of a townsite, including the authority to sell
the land, convey sites for public purposes, dispose unclaimed lots and assess
and levy taxes on townsite lots. Before assuming the trustee's duties, the
trustee must execute and file a $2,000 bond with the county BOS. Within three
months after an entry at the federal land office of land for townsites, the
trustee must have the land surveyed and platted into blocks, lots, streets and
alleys. A plat must be made as closely as possible to reflect the existing land
use and claims of the occupants. The plat must be submitted to and approved by
the county BOS and recorded in the office of the county recorder. Following the
approval and recording, the streets and alleys designated in the plat are
permanently dedicated for public use (A.R.S Title 9, Chapter 10,
Article 1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Designates the trustee of a townsite as the county BOS of the county in which the townsite is located, rather than the judge of the superior court.
2. Requires a trustee's bond to the state to be filed with the county recorder, rather than the county BOS, of the county in which the townsite is located.
3. Removes the requirement for the county BOS to approve a townsite plat.
4. Removes the requirement that appraisers for the disposal of unclaimed townsite lots are paid $5 per day for each day engaged.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 6, 2025
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