Department of Engineering Mission Statement

To improve the lives of the people we serve every day by efficiently administering the design and construction management of roadway and flood control related projects, and by providing a comprehensive, yet timely, review of engineering plans and permit applications for new development.

The Department of Engineering is under the direction of the County Engineer and consists of the following sections:

• Administration (Permitting, Customer Service & Accounting) 
• Civil CADD (Computer Aided Design & Drafting)
• Construction Management
• Engineering (Design, Project Management, Traffic Studies)
• Right-of-Way (Acquisition and Abandonment)

 The basic responsibilities of the County Engineer are expressed in A.R.S. §11-562 as follows:

The County Engineer shall be custodian of the records and property of the County relating to surveying, engineering and road construction.

Except where highways are being constructed under the direction of a highway commission, the County Engineer shall, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, have charge of all highways, other engineering construction and improvement, alterations and repairs to County property and shall make surveys, maps, plans, and specifications required by the Board of Supervisors.

Flood Control District Mission Statement

To minimize impacts and protect life and property from flooding.

The Flood Control District is under the direction of the Flood Control Manager. The Yuma County Board of Supervisors sit as the Board of Directors for the Flood Control District.

The requirement for a Flood Control District is expressed in Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §48-3602(A): "Each County shall organize a county flood control district to include and govern its area of jurisdiction."

The basic  responsibilities of the Flood Control District are expressed in A.R.S. §48-3609 and §48-3616(D) as follows:

• The Board shall adopt and enforce regulations governing floodplain management in its area of jurisdiction.
• The chief engineer may conduct a survey of flood control problems and prepare a comprehensive program for flood control and a five-year capital improvement program. He shall at least make an assessment of flood control problems in the area of jurisdiction and make an annual report of the findings and recommendations for dealing with them to the Board.

General Functions:

• Manage the floodplains in Yuma County in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Prepare an annual Flood Control Assessment Report.
• Prepare the annual Flood Control Division Budget and Capital Improvement Plan.
• Prepare area drainage studies.
• Prepare engineering plans for construction and improvements.
• Administer engineering contracts from consultants performing design on behalf of the District.
• Review and approve subdivision plans for grading and drainage design and compliance with floodplain and drainage regulations.
• Prepare Five-year Flood Control Capital Improvement Plan.
• Provide project administration and inspection on all Flood Control District construction improvements.
• Investigate complaints received from the public on drainage deficiencies and floodplain encroachments.
• Review and approve requests to use Flood Control District Facilities.
• Review and issue Grading and Floodplain Use Permits for commercial developments.
• Acquire new or additional property or easements for improvement projects.
• Participate with other public agencies within Yuma County for drainage projects.
• Operate and maintain over 50 drainage Flood Control Facilities throughout Yuma County, including retention basins, pump stations, storm drains, outfalls, and groundwater wells.

Goals and Objectives:

• Plan and develop solutions to regional flooding and drainage problems and needs of Yuma County.
• Complete the projects outlined in the Flood Control Capital Improvement Plan.
• Administer and enforce the Floodplain Regulations for Yuma County.
• Manage and operate storm drainage facilities in a safe, efficient manner.
• Provide assistance where possible to inquiries relating to flood control drainage issues.
• Improve level of customer service and the permit processing procedure.
• Review grading plans and drainage reports and issue Grading Permits on new development and construction.
• Require Floodplain Use Permits for new development and construction within floodplains to ensure public safety.
• Review and update Drainage Standards and Floodplain Regulations as necessary to reflect current engineering and regulatory standards.

Floodplain Maps:

Floodplain maps for Yuma County are available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Map Service Center at (800) 358-9616 or the following link: Flood Map - FEMA