Pima County approves $250,000 sale of Ajo water district to Arizona Water Company

Pima County approves $250,000 sale of Ajo water district to Arizona Water CompanyThe Pima County Board of Supervisors has greenlit an asset purchase agreement transitioning the Ajo Domestic Water Improvement District to private ownership, wrapping up a multi-step transfer process.

The Board unanimously approved the sale of the Ajo Domestic Water Improvement District to Arizona Water Company for $250,000.

Arizona Water Company had previously taken over the operational management of the district prior to the final sale.

Proceeds from the transaction will first satisfy any outstanding district liabilities, with remaining funds slated for distribution to local nonprofits.

During its August 11, 2026 meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an asset purchase agreement to sell the Ajo Domestic Water Improvement District (DWID) to the Arizona Water Company. The transaction, valued at $250,000, marks the final step in transitioning the district from a volunteer-led public entity to private ownership. Prior to the final sale, Arizona Water Company had already taken over the operational management of the district's water utility services. Chair Jennifer Allen thanked the former volunteer board members—Frank Hidman, Chuck and Brenda Stout, and Bud Turner—who previously managed the district, noting that the county administration ultimately had to step in to facilitate the transition. "I also want to thank the staff in the Pima County Attorney's Office who spent a lot of time figuring out how to make this a viable transition in which we could become the Ajo Water District within the county and then sell it," Allen stated. Under the terms discussed, the $250,000 purchase price will first be applied to satisfy any outstanding debts or liabilities held by the Ajo DWID. Once those financial obligations are cleared, the county plans to distribute the remaining proceeds from the sale to local nonprofit organizations. County staff indicated they will return to the board at a later date with a finalized process for managing the distribution of these funds.