In an assertive move to secure its water future, Queen Creek's financial mechanisms have earned a robust 'AA' rating from credit giants, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. The town is gearing up to fund a substantial water acquisition from Harquahala Valley, with plans to lay out Certificates of Participation (COP) for sale in January 2026, tapping into a water source not hindered by drought, which a hydrology study has shown harbours an ample 8.2 million acre-feet of water available for transportation over the next century. Deputy Town Manager and Chief Financial Officer Scott McCarty noted the importance of the ratings in bagging lower interest rates as quoted on QueenCreekAZ.gov.
While these ratings are one notch shy of perfection, Queen Creek's ICR stubbornly clings to an 'AA+' standing with S&P and Fitch Ratings applauding the town's stable financial position, although previously acquired half a million acre-feet, showcasing the potential of the Harquahala Valley's water. Vice Mayor Martineau recognised the depth of these investments, emphasising their long-term benefits for residents and, in a statement captured by QueenCreekAZ.gov, stated that the additional water is a giant leap toward a reliable, self-governable water supply.
The strategic move is projected to account for 90% of Queen Creek's water supply, shielding the town from the vagaries of water cuts and persistent drought conditions. The plan, which was approved at the Town's meeting on Nov. 19, 2025, will set the town back up to $250 million, funded by COPs and a Water Infrastructure Financing Authority loan, as stated by the town's communications and marketing manager, Constance Halonen-Wilson, as details provided by QueenCreekAZ.gov.
The trajectory of Queen Creek’s credit rating has been ascending, with S&P and Fitch Ratings bumping up the Town's rating to AA+ in 2022, signifying confidence in its financial resilience and healthy demographic trends coupled with praiseworthy long-range planning, as noted by respective agencies, pushing forward the town's strategy for water self-sufficiency; the town has made historic leaps, like the purchase from Harquahala Valley, to secure its liquid lifeline—a nod witnessed at QueenCreekAZ.gov.
