Gila County Comprehensive Master Plan Update

Gila County is soliciting proposals from qualified planning and consulting firms to provide professional services for the update of the Gila County Comprehensive Master Plan. The County seeks a forward-looking, data-driven plan that will guide future growth, land use, infrastructure investment, economic development, housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, and community development throughout unincorporated areas of the County.

The selected consultant will work collaboratively with County staff, elected officials, stakeholders, and community members to evaluate existing conditions, identify opportunities and challenges, and develop a comprehensive planning framework that reflects the County's long-term vision and priorities. The project is expected to include public outreach and engagement, demographic and economic analysis, land use and infrastructure planning, policy development, implementation strategies, and preparation of draft and final plan documents for consideration and adoption by the Gila County Board of Supervisors.

Gila County is seeking an experienced and innovative consultant capable of delivering a practical, implementable, and community-focused Comprehensive Master Plan that supports responsible growth, preserves the County's unique character and natural resources, and positions the County for long-term sustainability and economic resilience.

Gila County's current Comprehensive Master Plan was originally adopted in 2003 and amended in 2018. Since that time, the County has experienced changes in demographics, development patterns, infrastructure needs, housing demand, economic conditions, transportation systems, environmental considerations, and community priorities. The County desires to comprehensively review and update the existing plan to provide a modern, implementable framework for future growth and development.

The updated Comprehensive Master Plan is intended to serve as a long-range policy document addressing land use, transportation, economic development, housing, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, public facilities, recreation, and related planning considerations affecting unincorporated areas of Gila County. The plan should reflect the needs and priorities of rural communities, small towns, and developing growth areas throughout the County while balancing responsible growth, resource protection, and long-term sustainability.

Gila County is currently updating its Zoning Ordinance, and the selected consultant will be expected to coordinate planning recommendations and implementation strategies with ongoing zoning and land use regulatory efforts where appropriate.