Prescott eNews

Illegal immigrants living or working in Prescott Valley may soon face stricter consequences.

Prescott Valley council members plan to vote tonight on repealing two town policies limiting police enforcement actions to make way for actions called for in Senate Bill 1070 on immigration law enforcement.

Police Chief Jim Maxson is recommending council adopt more stringent policies to go after illegal immigrants regardless of the current lawsuits filed against the State regarding the new immgration law.

The new law is scheduled to go into effect statewide next Thursday.

"A number of lawsuits have been filed against S.B. 1070 (as amended), including a recent suit by the United States to declare the law null and void as a violation of the Supremacy Clause and the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and to enjoin application of the law," Chief Maxson wrote in a recent memo to council.

"There will be considerable uncertainty up to July 29, 2010 (and potentially afterward) about the applicability of S.B. 1070 as amended," he continues. "However, staff is suggesting that it is prudent now to repeal the two General Orders, which, on their face, limit enforcement of federal immigration laws, and to arrange during July for Town peace officers to view the materials that have been prepared by AZPOST. In the meantime, staff will be vigilant in tracking the status of S.B. 1070 (as amended) up to and after July 29, 2010."

In other action, council is expected to schedule a public hearing September 23 for comment on increasing water and wastewater impact fees in areas of the town previously in the now-dissolved Prescott Valley Water District. The increase would make rates and fees charged the same as those in the Municipal Water System District.

Although the same services are provided in both areas, residents and businesses located north of SR 89A and near the Yavapai County Fairgrounds have not been paying the same rates as those in the rest of the town, and in the Prescott Country Club and Castle Canyon Mesa areas.

Additionally, council members are expected to authorize controller Karen Morrison and account technician Judy Stanley to represent the town in small claims court to pursue collection of delinquent water and wastewater accounts.

Council members also will consider approving a two-year extension to the suspension of development impact fees for commercial, retail and school developments. The recommendation that they approve this extension is based on encouraging more businesses to relocate to the town to boost the local economy.

This recommendation follows a Yavapai County Superior Court Judge's ruling in favor of the town's suspension of such impact fees when the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona claimed discrimination since home builders are charged impact fees. The judge's decision has been appealed to the Arizona Court of Appeals and currently awaits a final decision.

Council members plan to gather around 5 p.m. tonight and start their regular council session at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at Prescott Valley Public Library, 7401 E. Civic Circle.