San Tan Valley has always been a place defined by possibility. Long before it became Arizona’s newest municipality, the community was a patchwork of farmland, homesteads and ranchettes stretching across western Pinal County.

Master-planned neighborhoods, cul-de-sacs and families arrived in waves during the housing boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Yet despite its rapid growth, San Tan Valley remained something of an outlier — large, vibrant and unincorporated.

That changed on Aug. 5, 2025, when residents voted to incorporate after several previous attempts. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors officially approved incorporation on Sept. 17, 2025, making San Tan Valley Arizona’s 92nd incorporated municipality.

On July 1, the Town of San Tan Valley officially assumes responsibility for services previously provided by Pinal County. With a population exceeding 100,000, it becomes the most populous community ever to incorporate in Arizona — and one of the largest in the nation. Incorporation allows the town to benefit directly from local leadership and reinvest tax dollars back into the community.

“The importance of the San Tan Valley incorporation is tied to the principles discussed by our founding fathers to have appropriate representation for all citizens,” says John Lewis, president and CEO of the East Valley Partnership.

“Without incorporation, just one of five Pinal County supervisors was responsible for representing more than 100,000 citizens. With incorporation, seven local leaders living in the community now have a voice to determine their future. Local government is the closest level of government to the citizens.”

DEEPER DIVE: At PHX East Valley Partnership meeting, AI emerges as next big focus

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here

First mayor, first chapter

Interim Mayor Daren Schnepf, a longtime resident with deep regional roots, is appointed San Tan Valley’s first mayor by the inaugural town council. His interim status ends with the town’s first election on Aug. 4, when council members will vote on mayoral leadership.

“I remember when the town of Queen Creek incorporated in 1989,” Lewis says. “Mark Schnepf was the first mayor and served for 11 years. Daren is a cousin to Mark, and it seems fitting that another Schnepf helps incorporate Arizona’s newest town.”

Schnepf’s resume reflects decades of civic and professional involvement. He serves on the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission, acts as a liaison between county and town interests, and brings deep institutional knowledge from his family’s water utility business. If elected to the town council, he plans to resign from the county commission.

“The county is still legally obligated to run San Tan Valley until July 1,” Schnepf says. “After that, everything becomes the town’s responsibility — roads, public safety, all services.”

To support the transition, the town retains Pierce Coleman PLLC as its legal team, with attorney Allen Quist serving as lead counsel. Garrett Glover acts as interim town clerk, and Brent Billingsley serves as town manager. Billingsley brings experience from Pinal County, Maricopa, Globe and Florence.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him to San Tan Valley,” Schnepf says.

For Schnepf, the role carries symbolic weight.

“Being the first mayor is an honor,” he says. “But it’s also a responsibility. Every decision sets a precedent. I don’t take that lightly.”

Deep roots, long view

Schnepf’s connection to the region predates incorporation by generations. His grandparents, Jack and Maude Schnepf, arrived in the Queen Creek and San Tan Valley area in 1941. Farming shaped the family’s livelihood — and their resilience.

During the 1970s, agricultural challenges pushed the family to pivot. To make subdivided land viable, water service was essential. When private utilities declined to serve the area, Schnepf’s father and uncle formed H2O Inc. in 1972, creating a water utility from the ground up.

“That meant converting agricultural wells into potable water, building storage tanks and laying miles of pipe,” Schnepf says.

The utility grew to serve roughly 10,000 connections before being sold to the town of Queen Creek in 2013. Schnepf played a key role in the company’s expansion, applying his background in computer information systems and business administration.

That evolution mirrored the region’s transformation — from farmland to fast-growing community.

Infrastructure and opportunity

For years, lack of incorporation limited local control over roads, zoning, public safety and economic development. Residents relied on Pinal County and often competed with other communities for resources.

Infrastructure is now a top priority. State Route 24, the Gateway Freeway, remains congested during peak commute hours. Schnepf hopes to collaborate with state and local agencies to expand capacity and improve north-south and east-west connectivity.

Public safety is another focus, including the eventual creation of a police department aligned with community expectations.

As transportation improves, commercial interest has surged.

“Our town has a variety of businesses and specialty retailers,” Schnepf says. “Recent additions include The Home Depot, WinCo Foods and Skyline Ranch Marketplace.”

The San Tan Valley Walmart ranks among the company’s highest-performing locations, further underscoring the area’s economic momentum.

Still, Schnepf emphasizes balance — protecting open space and honoring agricultural roots while accommodating growth.

Incorporation also allows San Tan Valley to capture state-shared revenue that previously flowed to neighboring cities when residents traveled elsewhere to shop, dine or be entertained.

“That means attracting businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs and creating spaces where community life can flourish,” he says.

A town takes shape

As interim mayor, Schnepf spends his days meeting residents, attending school and sports events, and discussing infrastructure and opportunity.

“Our voters wanted self-determination and an identity,” he says. “They want a place where they can truly live, work and play.”

Job creation is a key motivator. With Pinal County attracting major manufacturers and employers, Schnepf sees opportunity to bring high-paying careers closer to home.

“I think everyone on the council is excited,” he says. “We’re residents. We’ve watched this place grow. We know what the community needs. Now we just have to build it — the right way.”