District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — June/July 2023 District 1 Newsletter

Hello, District 1 Residents,

We’ve passed the July midway point and summer is in full swing. Friday Art Walk, Movies on the Square, Hullabaloo, Pride in the Pines, Art in the Park, and the quintessential July 4th parade bring tourists and locals out in Flagstaff and attending events across Coconino County. Our mountain temperatures offer an escape from the sizzling valley summer heat. Even longtime residents are feeling the heat up here at 7000 feet. We are all eagerly watching the skies for signs of the monsoon rains.

Coconino County has used this extra time to push extensive post- wildfire flooding projects to completion or near completion. This will add a greater level of protection for those communities which were so dramatically affected by flooding last summer. All the work, from designing and engineering the projects, to obtaining the necessary federal funding, to breaking ground and completing the projects, was done in record breaking time. I am so pleased with the federal, state and local collaboration and partnerships that got the job done for our community!

It is with this same spirit of cooperation that the eleven indigenous tribes of the Grand Canyon are calling upon us to support their request of President Biden to use his powers under the Antiquities Act to declare a National Monument for the 1.1 million acres that surround the current Grand Canyon National Park. This designation would forever prohibit these lands from being utilized for mining. The Baja Nwaavjo I’Tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument will improve local economies, preserve significant tribal and cultural sites, protect natural areas for recreation and tourism, and prevent further contamination of the critical Colorado River Plateau Watershed.

Together we build the communities where we want to live, and where we want to raise our children.

Onward together.

Patrice

In 2022, the Arizona legislature amended Arizona’s short term rental laws(STR), which prohibited municipalities from regulating STRs. The amended laws allow municipalities some limited management and oversight; including the permitting of STRs, notice to neighbors of an intent to utilize property as a STR, emergency contact information, requiring the property be utilized consistent with the single-family resident zoning requirements, requiring health and safety regulations be met, and allowing for enforcement measures including escalating fines or suspension.

Due to the previously unregulated commercial STR industry, the County received complaints from neighbors about STRs turning into party homes with absentee landlords. Residents raised issues around traffic, parking, and litter in quiet, residential neighborhoods. Therefore, the BOS commenced drafting a STR ordinance consistent with the new law.

On February 28, a public hearing on the first draft of the ordinance was held, at which the BOS received many public comments. Most of the comments centered on concerns regarding how a commercial enterprise was being conducted in zoned single-family residence neighborhoods and complaints about large parties and events. The public requested that the County’s ordinance more specifically address these situations. Consequently, the BOS went back to the drawing board and with assistance from County Community Development and the County Attorney’s office, the Board revised its draft ordinance. The BOS has scheduled a public hearing on the revised ordinance for August 8th.

Supervisor Horstman encourages the public to review the revised ordinance on the County’s website at Short Term Rental Information | Coconino (az.gov) She looks forward to receiving public written comment and to hearing input during the public hearing on the STR ordinance during the August 8th Zoom Board meeting.

Some highlights of the proposed ordinance include the following:

1. A clear delineation that the ordinance applies to all rentals of a duration of less than 30 days for STRs located outside of municipal boundaries and located in the unincorporated areas of Coconino County. STRs located within municipal boundaries are subject to the regulations and ordinances of that municipality.

2. Property used for vacation and short-term rental activities shall conform to the purposes of the underlined land use zoning, Single Family Residential Zoning. This means that the rental shall conform to the definition of “family” as described in the County’s zoning ordinance.

3. The STR shall not be used for non-residential purposes, including special events, multifamily transient stays, or group gatherings that would otherwise require a county special or temporary use permit.

4. A much expanded definitions section.

5. A clearly set forth definition for the term “verified violation”.

6. Site management requirements and specifically setting forth the statutory prohibited uses for STR.

7. Annual permitting and registration requirements (an annual registration fee of $ 250 is being proposed).

8. Establishing electronic registration forms including a verification that the property will be utilized consistent with the requirements of single-family zoning and not for special events or other purposes that would require further permitting by the County.

9. Notice to neighbors regarding the property proposed use as a STR and providing emergency 24-hour contact information.

10. A two-part due process procedure, with one process for registration complaints and another for major and repeat violations:

A. For Registration Complaints: Community Development staff is empowered to receive and investigate these complaints. If the owner fails to rectify any determined violations within a reasonable time the Director can issue a verified violation finding and impose fines.

B. For Repeat or Serious Violations: The second due process procedure is for repeat verified violations and other serious violations as set forth by the STR statute, wherein, an administrative proceeding will be brought before a hearing officer. If the hearing officer makes a finding of a violation, the hearing officer could impose a suspension of the STR permit.

Supervisor Horstman noted that during the County’s drafting of its proposed ordinance, in addition to the input of County staff and the County Attorney’s office, the County collaborated with other municipalities, including the City of Flagstaff. Supervisor Horstman expressed her appreciation for the diligent efforts and creativity of the county staff in the redrafting of the proposed ordinance. She believes it will help encourage voluntary compliance for STR owners to be good neighbors.

Board of Supervisors Zoom link for public hearing:

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83287086079

Short Term Rental Brochure

Short Rental Term Ordinance

One of the most important jobs of the Coconino County Board Supervisors (BOS) is to oversee both the County’s general fund and the finances for County departments and Special Districts. This responsibility includes setting the annual County budget, deciding the County tax rate and setting the secondary tax rates for the County special districts. Special Districts that the BOS oversee include the Flood Control, City/County Library, Jail, Public Health Services, and Tusayan Special Lighting Districts. Road Improvement, Water, and Fire Districts are overseen by their own elected boards, which have taxing authority for these limited special purpose districts.

The BOS started its review of the County departments and commenced working with department heads and County staff on the FY 24 budget many months ago. This effort included a three-week process in May, when the Board met with each department and BOS special districts to review and assess needs and programs for FY 24. The County has adopted a 10-year general fund plan which includes a recession year built in to ensure that the County maintains a balanced budget and still provides necessary county services over a potentially fluctuating financial scene. This is especially important because the bulk of the County’s revenues come through County property tax, County sales tax, and State shared sales tax.

Graph “A” below shows the FY 24 budgeted revenue and the various sources for this revenue. What makes FY 24 revenue chart interesting, is that in FY 24 Coconino County received close to $116 million from federal grants. This is an exceptionally large amount of federal revenue, mostly one-time funds, which come from sources such as ARPA, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, The Inflation Reduction Act, and National Resource Conservation Services post wildfire mitigation funds.

The last two years have seen a large influx of federal monies to our local governments. This has allowed local governments to address important community needs for health and human services, emergency response, forest restoration, infrastructure (including transportation and broadband), and post wildfire flood mitigation. Most of these federal grants and monies will not continue in future fiscal years. This places an additional burden on the BOS to utilize these monies to the very best and highest purposes to benefit the County.

It is important to realize that these federal dollars are included as part of the County’s overall budget, greatly increasing the County general fund balance for FY 24. Likewise, most of these federal dollars are project specific monies (largely for flood mitigation and forest restoration). This skews the County expenditures more heavily to these special federal grant money programs. See graphs “B” and “C”.

Coconino County continues to have the lowest primary property tax assessment in Arizona. Property taxes are one of the largest revenue sources for the County, and given the limitations on property tax increases, the BOS set a primary property tax rate of $0.5009 per $100 of assessed valuation as allowed by law. A typical home value has an increase of 3.7%, therefore a home worth $100,000 in FY23 would be worth $103,700 in FY24 and the new tax increase would be $5. 80.

Given the more than $116 million received through federal monies, Coconino County adopted a final budget, which includes these federal funds, in the amount of $546,374,685.

Expenditure Limit Discussion

Importantly the County’s budget must stay within a strict spending formula, known as the expenditure limit. This expenditure limit restricts what the county can spend, regardless of whether the county has the available cash to spend. There are substantial penalties imposed by the State if a county exceeds its expenditure limit. Prior to the BOS’s budget retreat in May, the BOS was informed by staff that, although Coconino County had adequate funds available, the County would likely reach and exceed its expenditure limit for FY 24 unless the County undertook measures to limit its cash expenditures. One way to limit cash expenditures while maintaining the needed expenditures for services/programs/projects would be for the County to pledge its revenue obligations using long- term financing. The County could utilize a capital bond to fund and finance certain road, transportation and public safety projects, as well as to fund certain construction, maintenance, and improvement projects for County facilities, properties, and infrastructure.

The debt service for a capital bond, and the expenditures made from the capital bond, are outside of the expenditure limit formula. This would allow the County to proceed with a budget that provides the services and meets the needs of its residents, while staying within the expenditure limit requirement. The BOS accepted the staff recommendation to approve a $80 million capital bond to fund capital improvement projects for FY 24. It is expected that this capital bond will be paid off from the general fund over the next five fiscal years.

During the June 27th Board meeting on the budget adoption, Board Chair Horstman stated “The FY 2024 budget demonstrates strong financial planning to continue the County’s path to recovery and resiliency in the face of last year’s two catastrophic wildfires and post wildfire flooding.” Supervisor Horstman noted that “the budget provides strategic investments in our communities while maintaining and promoting stability for the taxpayers into the future. The County’s balanced FY 24 budget invests in important capital improvement programs and delivers critical projects across all of Coconino County.”

Coconino County Chair and District 1 Supervisor Horstman recently traveled to Washington, DC with a contingent of business leaders, conservation groups, and representatives of the Grand Canyon Trust to advocate for the Baaj Nwaavjo l’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. This designation of federal lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park would permanently protect 1.1 million acres of federal land from dangerous uranium exploration and mining. A longtime supporter of protections for the rights of indigenous peoples who call the Grand Canyon home, Supervisor Horstman has provided continuous support and advocacy for the proposed protections of this area that is sacred to so many.

Meeting with officials from the Department of the Interior and the White House, Supervisor Horstman and members of the group articulated compelling reasons for creating Baaj Nwaavjo l’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. Horstman noted that recreation and tourism are a central driving force of the economy in Coconino County and surrounding areas. Outdoor recreation is our economic engine, powered by the campers, bicyclists, hikers, climbers, and river rafters who come to enjoy our uniquely beautiful area. Protecting Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding areas makes good economic sense. Designation of this National Monument will ensure that these lands are permanently protected from the ravages of uranium mining and exploration, while having no effect on grazing, timber harvest, and outdoor recreation uses.

The Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe have borne the brunt of the toxic legacy of hundreds of abandoned uranium mines that have not been cleaned up. On tribal lands, radioactive uranium mines contaminate water and soil, many sites still await expensive cleanup efforts, while area residents continue to deal with the deadly health impacts of extended exposure to these longstanding hazardous sites. Uranium mining poses a threat to the fragile and critical springs and waters in the proposed monument site. Potential contamination is a risk to the indigenous tribes who call the Canyon home. This is especially true for the Havasupai, who live at the base of the Grand Canyon.

There are still roughly 600 mining claims around the Grand Canyon National Park that could be activated if this land isn’t protected from uranium mining. It is critical that this vital cultural and natural area be preserved and protected from the detrimental impact of uranium mining. This is why the BOS unanimously passed a resolution calling for President Biden to create the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.

The inner workings of the federal government are often run by the hard working and well-educated Washington, D.C. staffers who oversee constituent services, conduct research, and prepare the Representatives, Senators and White House Administration on policies and bills. These people are the backbone of our elected government and play a key role in the shaping of policies. Their abilities to perform these jobs are enhanced when they have firsthand knowledge and understanding of the people and places that their elected bosses serve.

With this in mind, the National Association of Counties Organization (NACo) initiated a fellowship program for Congressional staff and White House staff leaders to travel to counties across the country to learn and experience county government. Providing firsthand experiences and travel to different parts of the U.S. affords more breadth and depth to the staffers, increasing their understanding of the counties’ unique needs and concerns. This fellowship program underscores how the work that takes place in Washington, D.C. affects county government, and the services local governments can provide to its residents.

This summer Arizona was selected as the site for the NACo 2023 Fellowship Initiative and Coconino County was selected as one of three counties highlighted for the Fellowship program. Chair Horstman was pleased to be part of the Coconino County host committee for the 30 Fellowship participants. Supervisor Horstman discussed the unique challenges and needs of a rural western county consisting of 87% public lands. She emphasized the role the federal government plays in assisting counties to provide direct and needed services to our communities. The Supervisor highlighted the programs and services Coconino County was able to provide through funds available from ARPA, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Recovery Act.

The Fellowship participants were treated to a private dinner at the home of Pluto, Lowell Observatory, where they experienced the beauty of the Milky Way and learned about Coconino County’s commitment to dark skies and its Dark Skies ordinance. This was followed by Lowell Director Jeff Hall’s invitation to experience a deeper look into our night sky through the Giovale Open Deck Observatory telescopes.

The following day County staff provided information on rural broadband, emergency management, economic development in gateway communities, health and human service programs (including the behavioral/ mental health challenges facing our indigenous communities), and the County’s Pathways programs for formerly incarcerated members of our community.

After a quick lunch at Buffalo Park and an overview of last year’s fires and floods, Supervisor Horstman accompanied the participants to the County’s westside flood mitigation projects. These include the County’s forest alluvial fan projects and the Parkway detention basin, as well as the City of Flagstaff’s water detention basins. Finally, the group traveled to one of Northern Arizona’s oldest and the country’s most innovative ranches, Babbitt Ranches.

Babbitt Ranch President and General Manager Billy Cordasco talked about the evolution of ranch lands, especially given the West’s mega drought. He profiled Babbitt Ranch’s land conservation and stewardship philosophy, which includes the creation of an energy center for Babbitt Ranch’s renewable solar and wind energy programs. The participants were able to tour the construction underway for the 161-megawatt wind project that will feature 50 turbines across 669 acres of the CO Bar Ranch. This wind energy center is expected to generate enough power to support 40,000 residential homes. As Babbitt Ranches proudly proclaims, they are forging a land-use ethic for Arizona’s future.

The Fellowship Tour concluded with a barbecue picnic dinner at the Babbitt Ranches recreation facility, the Nordic Center, where they were able to relax amid the ponderosa pines. Dinner was topped off by bluegrass music played by local musicians Julie Sullivan Brace and the Blue Moon trio. The Fellowship participants returned to Washington, D.C. with a broader and deeper understanding of Coconino County, having experienced the unique beauty and challenges facing rural western countries.

Coconino County Health and Human Services held a Covid-19 Response Recognition event at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Ft. Tuthill County Park on June 20th. Supervisor Horstman was honored to take part and provide comments on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Horstman expressed her deep gratitude for the County’s robust response to the crisis, especially given the constantly changing information about the cause, prevention, and treatment of Covid-19. The County’s response to the grave reality of the Covid-19 pandemic and its outreach throughout Coconino County with information, testing, and vaccinations, greatly reduced the number of severe consequences suffered by residents. The Supervisor stated that County Employees saved lives!

Health and Human Services Director Kim Musselman also commended Coconino County staff members for their combined, courageous efforts in response to this enormous threat to our community’s health and well-being. She reminded attendees of the timeline we lived through as the County raced to use the latest and best information to protect the public: schools and other public buildings were closed, residents stayed home as much as possible, and the internet became our virtual work and social space. As we learned more about the virus, we stopped washing groceries and started wearing masks. Social distancing became the norm as we stretched beyond our comfort zones to protect the health and lives of our neighbors. When a vaccine was developed in record time, Coconino County residents waited their turn for a shot in the arm, prioritizing the most vulnerable and saving lives.

Director Musselman shared data illustrating the comprehensive approach that Coconino County and its more than 115 partner organizations took to the global crisis:

53,436 cases

• More than 500 deaths
• 557,000 tests administered
• 285,000 vaccinations administered
• Over 355 Coconino County sponsored vaccination events

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness team calculated that 191,468 hours related to the Covid-19 response were logged by Coconino County staff, representing nearly 22 years of work. The hours put in by our many partner agencies were vital for our success and remain beyond simple mathematical calculation. Our fully engaged partner organizations include Flagstaff Shelter Services, United Way of Northern Arizona, TGEN, NCHC, NAH, NAU, COF Housing, National Guard, Fema nurses and staff, Mountain View Pediatrics, Tusayan Fire Department, Health Choice AZ, NARBHA, among many others.

Together, we mourn those we lost to the pandemic and extend compassion to those experiencing long-term effects of the disease. All the Coconino County staff joins in remembrance and celebration of co-workers, friends, and community members whose lives were cut short by this insidious virus. Together, we will move forward to recover from the lingering economic and health effects of the global pandemic on our community. Science and healthcare professionals will continue to guide our decision-making as we strive to keep the public healthy and thriving.

COVID RESOURCES

Supervisor Horstman is Arizona’s elected representative/alternate to the Western Interstate Region (WIR), which is made up of county officials from the 15 western states. The mission is to provide public advocacy and the promotion of western interests including public land use and conservation, community stability, and economic development. This past May, Supervisor and WIR representative Richard Lunt (Greenlee County) and Supervisor Horstman traveled to St. George, Utah to attend the annual WIR conference. Both Supervisors also sit on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Public Lands Steering Committee which met during this conference. The conference included opportunities to visit Zion National Park, Padre Canyon, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and Red Cliffs National Conservation area. Discussions included public lands stewardship, environmental-energy and land use, building economic resiliency, sustainable water, preventing, drought, and mitigating wildfires and leading in the time of crisis.

Coconino County plays an outsized role on the national level with both WIR and NACo. Coconino County is a leader in advocating for our public lands, forest restoration, water sustainability, rural groundwater management, and gateway/ tourist economies. Besides Supervisor Horstman’s positions on WIR and Public Lands, Supervisor Lena Fowler is a Director on NACo and is Vice Chair of both the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Steering Committee and Rural Action Caucus. Treasurer Sarah Benatar sits on the Health Steering Committee. Deputy County Manager, Lucinda Andreani, sits on the NACo Resilient Communities Advisory Board. Supervisors Vasquez, Ryan and Begay are also active in NACo’s standing committees. Supervisor Ryan used his extensive advocacy with military installations and presented on a panel for “Leveraging Resources from the Department of Defense for Climate Resiliency”.

Coconino County officials and Supervisors are committed to preserving the unique character and vibrant health of our diverse community. We continue to advocate on a national level to bring beneficial policies and resources to Coconino County.

Supervisor Horstman reminds residents of Coconino County that we are now under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. The Stage 1 Fire Restriction regulations for residents are stated below.

The Supervisor joins Smokey Bear in urging everyone to adhere to these restrictions, for the health and safety of humans and the forest.

During Stage 1, the following is prohibited AT ALL TIMES:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes. This includes smudge pots.
2. Smoking outside (see Exemptions #3 below).

Exemptions during Stage 1:

1. Using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
2. Having a campfire within a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area (Developed Recreation Site).
3. Smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a Developed Recreation Site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
4. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.

As a reminder: Fireworks are always prohibited in the National Forest

Forest Closure Information | Coconino (az.gov)

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/alerts-notices

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kaibab/alerts-notices

Fire Restriction Information | Coconino (az.gov)

Progress continues for critical flood mitigation measures in the east and west side areas of the Coconino County Flood Control District.

East Side:

A recent report to the Board of Supervisors noted that flood mitigation projects for the Campbell, Brandis, North Paintbrush, and South Paintbrush areas are complete and functional for the 2023 Monsoon Season. Watershed restoration and channel improvements are in place, with only minor miscellaneous work such as fence repair remaining. Residents should expect to see crews members tending to these last few matters and note that Tiffany Construction will be staging equipment or materials in these areas.

Currently, Tiffany Construction crews are focusing on the Wupatki Trails and Schultz Creek areas. They are working seven days a week to complete forest watershed restoration, neighborhood channel improvements, and a six-foot storm drain. They’ve made significant progress on the watershed restoration, prioritizing channel stabilization and alluvial fan restoration high on the mountain. The neighborhood channel is roughly 85% complete, with crews now applying shotcrete to finished sections. Note that Tiffany Construction crews are creating “shopping piles” near the work areas: large rocks that may be recycled as raw materials for later use on the projects. This practice stretches our District dollars further, enabling us to deliver these projects as efficiently as possible.

Sandbags are currently available for your use at the junction of Campbell Avenue and Highway 89 and at Peaks View County Park (8805 Koch Field Rd). Information regarding best practices for sandbag placement and other useful information about the Schultz/ Pipeline Fire Flood Area is available at coconino.az.gov. If you are elderly or disabled and unable to procure assistance through community means, please contact: http:// pipelinefirefloodarea@coconino.az.gov

Reminder:

The District needs Right of Entry (ROE), a nonbinding agreement, in order to allow engineers, the ability to enter properties to perform survey work and continue progress toward long-term flood mitigation goals. Deadlines for the Peaceful Way and Copeland Property owners were June 30 and July 14, respectively. Residents of the Government Tank area had an informational corridor meeting on July 11 to prepare for projects slated for that area.

West Side:

The first of three basins in the Parkway Sediment Basin project have been completed. This is an important element of the plan to catch sediment coming out of the Museum Fire Scar in the Spruce Wash watershed. The 1,313 cubic yard basin was structurally complete and fully functional as of June 14. Hydro-mulch was later applied to the basin and related disturbed areas to promote regrowth to aid erosion control and natural reclamation of the landscape. These measures will support downstream stormwater infrastructure in the City of Flagstaff and will be joined by two similar basins expected to be completed in Fall of 2023.

Phase 1 of the Schultz Creek watershed restoration project broke ground in mid-June and is expected to take four to six weeks to complete. This project employs a technique called “plug and spread.” The goal is to slow the floodwater velocity and reduce sediment before floodwaters enter the City of Flagstaff detention basins and downstream stormwater system. This strategy uses a series of “plugs”, or small dams, to slow and spread floodwaters against the existing contours of the Schultz Creek valley. The “plug and spread” strategy is a variation of the alluvial fan restoration method, providing similar sediment reduction while preserving more trees and natural habitat.

Supervisor Horstman is pleased with the tremendous progress on post-fire flood mitigation measures on both East and West sides of Coconino County. She urges residents to take note of the recently mailed “2023 Flood Guides and Flood Advisories” and continue preparing for flood season by taking the following steps:

1. Site specific recommendations for short term mitigation:

coconino.az.gov

2. Purchase or renew flood insurance:

Flood Insurance Information

3. Sign up for Emergency Notifications

Emergency Notification System

During last year’s post wildfire flooding, residents who live off Mount Elden Lookout Road often found the main access to their homes and property flooded. As part of the County’s post wildfire flood projects, County Public Works met with engineers to design drainage improvements for the road. Public Works and County Supervisor Horstman presented the road drainage plan to the residents at community meetings this Spring. The response from the community was positive and the drainage improvement project is now well underway. The particulars of the project and the plan for road drainage include expanding the capacity of the culvert and constructing a low water crossing (see last month’s newsletter for details). Supervisor Horstman and County Public Works are pleased to report that the project continues to proceed on schedule. Work continues for the steel reinforcement installation for the new concrete box culvert, and outflow channel grading will begin soon. The County appreciates the patience and understanding of the residents during the construction phase of this project and hopes that the project will be completed in July.

For more information, please visit www.coconino.az.gov/ RoadProjects.

Mt. Elden Lookout Road Drainage Improvement Project | Coconino (az.gov)

As part of the County’s overall flood mitigation projects, Public Works has started the Snowbowl Road Drainage Improvement Project. This project is intended to mitigate seasonal flooding from the Rio de Flag on Snowbowl Road, south of Highway 180. Supervisor Horstman and Public Works had two community meetings this early winter/spring with the neighbors in the Fort Valley area to discuss the road drainage improvement plan, and to assure the community that the intended road drainage project will have no practicable impact on the runoff and ponding in the low-lying meadow areas. This seasonal spring ponding is necessary to assist in recharging the parched aquifers and the communities’ wells.

The Snowbowl Road Drainage Improvement Project has recently been awarded to McCauley Construction and the project is slated to begin in September. The project includes the replacement of the existing pair of 32 x 48-inch elliptical culverts on south Snow Bowl Road, south of US Highway 180 at the Rio de Flag crossing. These will be replaced by seven new 18 x 24-inch culverts. Concrete head walls and inlet/outlet aprons will also be installed. More information can be found at: www.coconino.az.gov/RoadProjects or by contacting Supervisor Horstman’s office.

The Westwood Estates area has been plagued by rough road surfaces and road disrepair. The County is scheduled to begin its pavement preservation project on County maintained roads with the goal of improving the Westwood Estates Road situation. County Public Works has placed information on the message board near Kiltie Lane and sent postcards to residents informing them of the pavement preservation work and the expected work timeline. Currently the work has included filling roadway cracks and doing road patchwork. The County has also lowered manholes and water valves in the pavement preservation area. A second and final phase is scheduled for this Fall, which includes a cape seal of the roadway surface. A cape seal is designed to extend the life of the pavement under normal conditions and consists of a chip seal treatment process, which will be covered by a slurry seal or micro surfacing treatment. For further information on the pavement preservation project, please feel free to contact Supervisor Horstman’s office or contact Public Works directly. Supervisor Horstman appreciates the patience of the community during this construction process.

Supervisor Horstman and the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the zoning for the proposed Grand Canyon Tiny Home Village and High Country Fire Rescue Station near Valle. This project will provide critically needed, affordable, long term workforce housing both for residents of Valle and employees working in Tusayan or Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The proposed fire station will be located withing the Tiny Home Village and will be a significant addition to the current fire protection and emergency response services for the Valle area.

The Tiny Home Village proposal includes comprehensive plans for ensuring that it fits in with and compliments the aesthetic character of the surrounding area, including frontage landscaping and preservation of the existing vegetation. Long considered the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, Valle is home to many local businesses and their employees who will benefit from the increased availability of affordable workforce housing.

The proposed Grand Canyon Tiny Village will be supplied with potable water, hauled to a centralized potable water system in the development. Plans include the possibility of drilling for water supply in the future. Sewage will be treated by a centralized on-site wastewater treatment system. The entire project is designed to comply with the Coconino County Rezoning Findings of Fact and the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan, 2015.

Residents of Valle and Tusayan and visiting tourists will enjoy improved safety, increased resident housing options, and an enhanced business environment with the addition of this critically needed workforce housing. Supervisor Horstman welcomes the idea of this proposal, which greatly benefits residents of and visitors to Valle and Grand Canyon National Park, while decreasing demand and congestion in the Tusayan/Grand Canyon area.

For more information on upcoming project: Planning and Zoning

Supervisor Horstman joined other community leaders on a visit to the United Way of Northern Arizona’s UWNA KinderCamp program. Since 2005, KinderCamp has remained UWNA’s signature program, providing preschoolers preparation for kindergarten and addressing the children’s academic, social, and emotional needs. The KinderCamp program has expanded to classrooms in Flagstaff, Williams, and Pinetop–Lakeside. This month-long program teaches the children basic academic skills including numbers, reading and letter practice. The parents of participants also receive a literacy kit filled with resources such as books, activities, and sidewalk chalk so that they can continue the learning process with their children throughout the summer. These efforts provide meaningful strategies for parents to help the family transition into school. During the KinderCamp visit in Flagstaff, UWNA Director Liz Archuleta and KinderCamp Coordinator Sara Owens led the way into various classrooms where the children were practicing writing letters and the number 9. North Country medical staff members were teaching the campers about stethoscopes. The children were actively engaged and were truly enjoying their summer academic camp. Supervisor Horstman, along with the Supervisors from Districts 2, 3 and 4, provided funding through the districts’ community initiative funds. Coconino County is joined in its generous support of this vital program by other collaborating partners, foundations and community support. Please consider a donation through the UWNA website and help prepare our youngest students for success in school.

United Way of Northern Arizona (nazunitedway.org)

The Flagstaff Juneteenth and Pride Celebrations are annual highlights of the Coconino County June calendar. Supervisor Horstman was a happy participant in both events, which celebrate the diversity of our people and landscape.

Southside Community Association and the Lived Black Experience produced a weekend of celebrations to commemorate June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved people in Texas learned that they had been emancipated…two years earlier. Celebrated for over 150 years, in 2021 President Biden declared Juneteenth a Federal Holiday.

Local celebrations included a Friday night gala event, a day long community festival at South Beaver School on Saturday, and a gospel music concert on Sunday. The evening was festive, including colorful Kente cloth fashions, a traditional fried chicken supper, and spoken word performances highlighting local and national African American artists, business leaders, and activists. Community members from every walk of life and background gathered to remember and celebrate the many vital contributions made by Black Americans to our County, State, and Nation. Saturday’s festival featured families and friends dancing, playing games, and registering to vote. Gospel music on Sunday evening rounded out the celebrations with voices raised in songs of praise. Supervisor Horstman was grateful for the invitation to participate and learn from the Flagstaff Juneteenth Celebration.

Flagstaff Pride in the Pines celebrated gay rights with a rainbow hued weekend of community events, including our first ever Pride Parade. Thousands of people from across Coconino County, Arizona, and beyond gathered at Thorpe Park to openly and joyfully declare their pride. Live music, fanciful costumes, hundreds of information booths, and non-stop performances entertained and educated attendees about critical issues faced by our LGBTQ2s+ community. The joy was palpable, coupled with a strong determination to expand and protect the rights of all.

Supervisor Horstman is proud to join the Coconino County community in celebrating our commitment to the enduring and powerful legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Coconino County celebrated Independence Day with a classic parade through the streets of downtown Flagstaff. Record numbers of residents and tourists filled the streets to cheer 90 floats, including Smokey Bear, Flagstaff Unified School District, and three separate County Offices floats as they wound their way down Beaver and back up San Francisco Streets. Bubbles flew, flags waved, children laughed, and Scouts saluted a parade that illustrated the enormous diversity of our community.

Flagstaff takes special pride in celebrating the 4th of July, as we draw our very name from the tall flagpole made from a pine tree to celebrate our nation’s centennial in 1876.

Supervisor Horstman joins the community in celebration of our freedoms and commitment to protecting and expanding them for all.

The day was capped by a free laser light show and concert at Fort Tuthill. The Supervisor thanks members of the community who respected our fire safety rules by omitting fireworks from their celebrations and urges those who still wish to light up the sky to do so legally and elsewhere.