PIMA COUNTY -- The Pima County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 2 approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the University of Arizona to provide research assistance to the Regional Flood Control District, while also providing student training opportunities. The IGA passed on a 4-1 vote, with the Supervisors sitting in their capacity as the Flood Control District Board of Directors.
The agreement establishes a formal collaboration between the District and the University that calls for UA student interns from multiple disciplines, at the graduate and undergraduate level, as well as faculty, to participate in real-world engineering projects, floodplain research and other services.
Evan Canfield, River and Basin Studies Section Manager, said Pima County will benefit greatly from both a scientific and public safety perspective.
“We’re very excited about having regular access to the University’s innovative technology and research data. Better information and analysis means better flood hazard assessment to protect the public,” Canfield said.
Another benefit will be the creation of employment opportunities for better-trained and more highly-skilled engineers in the community. The agreement will require the District to competitively recruit new hires from the UA.
The IGA’s terms call for the University to receive $150,000 annually for five years; a total of $750,000. All student pay would come out of that amount.
“It’s a win for everyone involved,” Canfield said. “The District gains access to world-class research in water, watersheds and floodplains, while students receive practical experience in public works design, construction, maintenance and operations. The University benefits from showing the usefulness of its research and technology on projects that benefit the public.”
The IGA contains an option for a five-year renewal after the end of the initial five-year term.