ASDA Background

During the summer of 2023, a group of special district managers, district directors, county officials, and professional service providers from across the state as well as representatives from the Arizona Fire Districts Association began meeting to discuss and identify common issues and needs for Arizona's special districts.

The group of 11 began coordinating as a steering committee to pilot a mini-conference style event in Prescott in November 2023. The event drew representatives from more than 40 special districts across the state. Marked as a success, the ASDA Steering Committee continued forward with the development of what is now known as the "Arizona Special Districts Alliance."

Mission

The Arizona Special Districts Alliance will be established July 1, 2024, with the mission of “joining together to raise awareness of, advocate for, and strengthen all Arizona’s local special districts governments and their essential services to Arizonans.”

ASDA works to the fulfill its mission by offering educational opportunities and other resources on best practices for good governance; enhanced connection with governing counterparts at the county, state, and federal levels; more education pool resources for professional services; and enhance the understanding of the general public as well as state and federal legislatures on the importance of Arizona’s special districts in communities across the state.

Benefits of Alliance Membership

Special districts that are members of the Alliance enjoy the following benefits:

• Engagement with the only network for Arizona’s elected and appointed special district board members as well as fellow management and staff – regardless of the type of service provided.
• Access to resources for intergovernmental collaboration and coordination to solve shared problems.
• Participation in workshops and “mini-conferences” featuring forums on good governance covering open meeting, public records, elections, and more – at reduced or no cost.
• Connection with professional service providers – including legal, accounting, advocacy, and more – who support and understand special districts’ unique needs and perspectives, offering best practices resources for members.
• Regular updates on state and federal policies of concern to Arizona’s special districts.
• Resources to engage legislators and the general public to advocate in support of special district services.
• (Goal of the Alliance – Coming Soon!) Membership to the National Special Districts Coalition, which will offer access to exclusive resources on federal grant and finance opportunities and federal advocacy resources.