Michele Axlund

The meeting agenda included several items for the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and the Flood Control District Board of Directors. Key actions involved approving proclamations celebrating the 135th Anniversary of Coconino County and designating March 1-7, 2026, as Peace Corps Week. Consent agenda items for the Board of Supervisors covered ratifying payments/warrants, re-appointing a member to the Mountain Line Transit Advisory Committee, approving grant funding for Courts, appointing Precinct Committee persons for the Democratic Party, approving contract amendments for Utility Assistance Programs and Senior Meal Services, and approving an agreement for printing equipment parts and service. The Flood Control District approved allocations totaling $2,700,000 for a feasibility study for mitigation projects in the Munds Park area and for matching funds for a BUILD Grant partnership with the Town of Tusayan. Discussion items included reviewing the County's Federal Legislative Agenda, an update from the Public Fiduciary following the 2025 Government shutdown, and planning calendar discussions.

The agenda for this combined meeting includes several key items. For the Board of Supervisors, actions include approving proclamations celebrating the 135th Anniversary of Coconino County and designating March 1-7, 2026, as Peace Corps Week. Consent items involve the ratification of financial transactions, the re-appointment of a citizen member to the Mountain Line Transit Advisory Committee, approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Fill the Gap Grant and associated funds, appointments for Democratic Precinct Committee Persons, and approvals/amendments for utility assistance contracts with Wildfire and NACOG-AAA. Discussion items cover a review of Coconino County's Federal Legislative Agenda, an update from the Public Fiduciary regarding impacts from the 2025 Government shutdown and legislation, and planning calendar discussions. The Board may also enter an Executive Session to discuss security protocols. For the Flood Control District, actions include approving allocations for a feasibility study in the Munds Park area and funds to serve as a match for the BUILD Grant in partnership with the Town of Tusayan for flood mitigation projects.

The regular session meeting included consideration and approval of several proclamations: one celebrating the 135th Anniversary of Coconino County, one designating February 2026 as National Black History Month (marking the 100th anniversary), and one designating January 27, 2026, as Holocaust Remembrance Day. Key items approved under the Board of Supervisors Consent Agenda included ratification of payments, appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council, several budget amendments related to grants and contracts (including utility assistance and senior meal services), and acceptance of a major U.S. Department of Education grant for mental health clinician recruitment and retention. The Flood Control District Board approved fund allocations for mitigation projects in the Munds Park area and as a match for a BUILD Grant with the Town of Tusayan. Discussion items focused on the Harrenburg Wash Enhancement Project completion and a detailed presentation on the Flood Control District's long-term flood mitigation planning across various regions, including Fort Valley, Kachina/Mountainaire, Sedona, Munds Park, and Tusayan, emphasizing risk prioritization and funding challenges. The meeting also included an update on Pretrial Services.

The meeting involved a work study session on the draft update of the County's Comprehensive Plan. Key discussions involved addressing comments received from external entities, specifically the Arizona State Land Department regarding state land recognition and the lack of a future land use map, and the Town of Tusayan concerning emergency services capacity due to ongoing development. The presentation detailed the plan's structure based on shared values (rural lifestyle, environmental stewardship, diverse communities) and core planning priorities, including managing growth, protecting the natural environment (water quality/supply, forest health), and providing responsive public/emergency services. Specific policy focuses for the Land Use chapter (locating density near services, encouraging subdivisions, discouraging fragmentation) and the Circulation/Transportation chapter (road safety, funding sources, multimodal travel) were reviewed, as well as policies supporting local businesses, education access (including broadband/BEADS program), and expanding housing choices.

The meeting commenced with an executive session, which was subsequently adjourned, before moving into the regular session. The initial agenda item involved consideration and possible action to approve a proclamation celebrating April 2020 as County Government Month, highlighting the essential services and critical role of county public health agencies, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisors offered accolades to county staff for their dedication and response efforts. The subsequent major discussion item involved an update from the Deputy County Manager Incident Commander, Dr. Marie Peoples, and Northern Arizona University (NAU) regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response efforts. The discussion emphasized the deep collaboration between the County and NAU, noting NAU's profound economic impact and its scientists' volunteering to support the County's COVID-19 response, including developing a planning document for county leaders.