Category Archives: Counties

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office joins Operation Dry Water to raise awareness about dangers of boating under the influence

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PAGE – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in Operation Dry Water as part of a nationally coordinated effort to increase knowledge about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI). The goal is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with alcohol and drug use on our waterways.

Operation Dry Water weekend, June 30-July 2, is the national weekend of amplified enforcement of boating under the influence laws and recreational boater outreach. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to our community and to the entire recreational boating community as part of the yearlong Operation Dry Water campaign to inform and educate boaters about the hazards and negative outcomes associated with boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Recreational boating is a fun and enjoyable activity. Consuming alcohol while on the water can hinder that experience and create a dangerous scenario for you, your friends and family, and others on the water. Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time on the water just as is does when driving a car, even more so because of the added stressors of sun, heat, wind, noise and the vibrations of the boat. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to have a great summer on the water, and to do that you’ve got to stay safe and stay sober while underway.

As Operation Dry Water weekend and Independence Day approaches, law enforcement will be out on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices and removing impaired operators from the water. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office supports these efforts as they go a long way in ensuring the safety of recreational boaters and water sport enthusiasts.

Tips to staying safe on the water:

  • Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths*. Alcohol and drugs use impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.
  • Wear your life jacket. 83% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket*.
  • Take a boating safety education course. 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction, where instruction was known*.

Boaters can take the pledge to boat safe and boat sober, and find more information about boating under the influence at operationdrywater.org.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in effect for the Independence Day weekend

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County is in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions which prohibits the use of fireworks.

There are several wildfires currently burning throughout the state and northern Arizona. The National Weather Service has continued to issue “Red Flag” warnings due to hot, dry and windy weather across the region.

“The people of Coconino County greatly value our public lands and treasure our forests,” said Chairwoman of the Board Liz Archuleta. “We know too well the damage human-caused fire can have. I want to urge everyone to be extremely careful this holiday weekend and to please refrain from using any fireworks. The potential damage, loss of property and even the loss of life is too great to risk.”

Coconino County asks everyone to follow the Stage 2 fire restrictions, including the ban on the use of fireworks. Residents and visitors are asked to use their best judgment when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. People can be held legally responsible for causing any wildfire.

A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at on the Coconino County homepage at http://www.coconino.az.gov/207/Emergency-Management.

Boundary Fire smoke enters Williams area

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WILLIAMS – Smoke from the Boundary Fire entered Williams creating a slight haze over the area. The forest service issued an advisory for parts of Flagstaff, Bellemont, Parks and Williams.
Coconino County health issued a release advising that smoke from wildfires in Northern Arizona and in Southern Utah continues to affect several communities in Coconino County. County health officials are encouraging individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from health effects of wildfire smoke.

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles, gases and water vapor. The primary health concern is the small particles. Not everyone who is exposed to smoke will have health problems. Many factors influence a person’s susceptibility to smoke. These factors include the level, extent, and duration of exposure, age, and individual susceptibility.

Anyone who can see, taste or smell smoke should curtail outdoor activity. People with heart disease, lung disease or asthma should avoid the outdoors entirely, as should children and the elderly.

Countywide Stage 2 fire restrictions enacted

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FLAGSTAFF — Stage 2 fire restrictions, will begin at 8 a.m., Thursday, June 22, across Coconino County. Fire restrictions are to help protect public health by reducing the number of human-caused wildfires. The County has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since June 15. The County is enacting Stage 2 restrictions due to forecasted weather and very high fire danger. Restrictions are in coordination with Coconino National Forest and the Arizona Department of Fire and Forestry Management.

The following restrictions apply on County public lands, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. During Stage 2, the only combustion open fire and campfire allowed are listed below:

1. By persons with a written permit or variance.
2. For personal use of cigarette or other tobacco smoking medium when used inside an enclosed vehicle or building only.
3. For emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and other health and safety mitigation measures when operated by a public utility or railroad and implemented in accordance with an approved agency plan.
4. By any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting entity in the performance of an official duty.
5. By persons whose open fire is the result of a device manufactured for the purpose of cooking of food, fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and turned off (for example a gas grill) when used in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation. This does not include Liquid fuel or LPG fire rings.
6. By persons operating internal combustion engines with spark arresting devices when the use is for common household-only activities such as landscaping and property maintenance and repair.
7. By persons operating generators or pumps with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding combustible materials within three (3) feet of the device.
8. Persons engaged in industrial and ranching operations with a permit or variance.

Unless allowed by an exception above, in addition to stage one common prohibited activities (including open fire, campfires, fireworks, open smoking and use of exploding targets and tracer round ammunition), prohibitions now include all open fire, campfires, open smoking, outdoor mechanical and Coconino County Board of Supervisors
A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at on the Coconino County homepage at www.coconino.az.gov/emergency.

Truth in Taxation hearing set

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Coconino County is publishing the Truth in Taxation notice as required by Arizona state law, explaining potential changes in the amount of property taxes collected.

Interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 27, 2017, in the County Administrative Center First Floor Meeting Room, 219 East Cherry, Flagstaff, Arizona.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is notifying its property taxpayers of Coconino County’s intention to raise its primary property taxes over last year’s level. Coconino County is proposing an increase in primary property taxes of $182,986 or 2 percent.

For example, the proposed tax increase will cause Coconino County’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase from $55.67 (total taxes that would be owed without the proposed tax increase) to $56.78 (total proposed taxes including the tax increase).

Truth in Taxation hearings for the Library, Health and Flood Control Districts will also take place at 6 p.m. June 27 in the County Board Chambers on 219 E. Cherry Ave.

The Coconino County Library District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $161,556 or 3.99 percent, the Coconino County Public Health Services District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $156,611 or 3.95 percent and the Coconino County Flood Control District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $115,994 or 4.66 percent.

Please see the following table with the County tax rates:

Coconino Tax Rates FY17 FY18
Coconino County Primary Property Tax 0.5788 0.5678
Coconino County Library District 0.2556 0.2556
Coconino County Flood Control District 0.4000 0.4000
Coconino County Public Health Services District 0.2500 0.2500

County enacts Stage 1 fire restrictions below the Mogollon Rim

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors enacted the Wildfire Defense Ordinance Stage 1 fire restrictions, for Coconino County, below the Mogollon Rim, during a special session on Tuesday. Restrictions go into effect immediately and will remain until fire danger conditions subside and the Board of Supervisors act.

“The Board voted unanimously today to enact Stage 1 fire restrictions below the Mogollon Rim due to recent fire activity, forecasted dry weather conditions and the action of our partners in the southern area of the County,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “In Coconino County, we know far too well the damage wildfire can cause to our communities. These common-sense restrictions will help increase public awareness of the dangerous conditions and lessen the threat of human caused wildfire.”

The following restrictions apply on County public lands below the Mogollon Rim, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County below the Mogollon Rim. During Stage 1, the only combustion, open fire, and campfire allowed are listed below:

1. By persons with a written permit from a proper governmental authority that specifically authorizes the prohibited act.
2. For personal use of cigarette or other tobacco smoking medium when inside an enclosed vehicle or building, or in a developed recreational site in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation.
3. For emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and other health and safety mitigation measures when operated by a public utility or railroad and implemented in accordance with an approved agency plan.
4. By any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting entity in the performance of an official duty.
5. By persons whose OPEN FIRE is the result of a device fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and turned off (for example a gas grill) when used in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation.

If a fire does break out in or near your camp site, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PUT IT OUT. Get out of the area and call 911 when in cell phone range.

Forest Thinning at Fort Tuthill County Park

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks & Recreation is conducting a forest thinning project in Fort Tuthill County Park to increase forest health, to improve public safety and to reduce wildfire risk. Removal will be by hand and mechanical thinning.

The Fort Tuthill Thinning Project is a collaborative effort between Coconino County, Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management, Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership, U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, Arizona Game & Fish Department, Northern Arizona University Ecological Restoration Institute, and the City of Flagstaff.

To educate the community about the project, Coconino County Parks and Recreation will host two open houses. Staff and project stakeholders will be available to answer questions.

WHAT: Fort Tuthill Forest Thinning Community Open House
WHEN/WHERE: 1 – 3 p.m. June 9 – East Flagstaff Public Library, 3000 N. Fourth St.
4 – 6 p.m. June 13 – Fort Tuthill Commercial Building, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop.

Forest treatments are planned to occur on approximately 325 acres of the park, and include both hand thinning (approximately 70 acres) and mechanical thinning operations. Crews will cut trees and remove logs that can be utilized offsite. Residual slash and debris from hand thinning operations will be piled for disposal through burning. Slash produced from mechanical operations will be chipped and hauled offsite for other potential use. Treatment areas include the former Arizona State Trust Land located in the northwest part of the park, and near the archery range in the southwest part of the park. Fort Tuthill County Park and Soldiers Trail will remain open during the project although intermittent trail and area closures will occur to ensure public safety.

Approval for the thinning project contract and two associated funding grants will be decided by the County Board of Supervisors, June 6. The contractor may begin thinning after Board approval and the project is expected to be completed in December 2017.

For more information on Coconino County Parks and Recreation: http://www.coconino.az.gov/parks

County Finance Department recognized for excellence in financial reporting

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FLAGSTAFF — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Coconino County Finance Department the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

The award recognizes the department’s commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

“It’s a tremendous achievement to once again be nationally recognized for our excellence in financial reporting,” said Bonny Lynn, Coconino County Finance Director. “Every member of our team, led by Tom Johnson, CPA, Accounting Manager, works extremely hard to ensure the audit is accurate and we continue to meet our own extremely high standards for accounting.”

Award recipients have led efforts to improve the quality of financial reporting and provide examples for other governments to follow from throughout North America. The department has won the award 3 consecutive years.

“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I’m very proud of the continued excellence demonstrated by our Finance Department,” stated Chairwoman of the Board Liz Archuleta. “This award signifies the commitment to accuracy and professionalism of the department staff and evidence of their great service to the people of Coconino County.”

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1906 that represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. The association has more than 19,000 federal, state/provincial and local finance officials involved in planning, financing and implementing thousands of governmental operations in each of their jurisdictions.

For more information go to www.gfoa.org.

Summer food safety tips

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FLAGSTAFF – Summer is the time for picnics and cookouts but these outdoor activities can present food safety challenges. Bacteria in food multiply faster at temperatures between 41°F and 140°F, so following food safety guidelines during the warm summer months is especially important.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. To avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses, the Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourage consumers to take appropriate precautions in handling, preparing and cooking foods during the summer months and throughout the year.

Clean: Wash Hands and Surfaces Often.
Unwashed hands are a prime cause of foodborne illness. Wash hands with warm, soapy water before handling food and especially after handling raw meat, using the bathroom, changing diapers and handling pets. When in an outdoor setting with no running water, use a water jug, some soap, and paper towels. Consider carrying moist disposable towelettes or use hand sanitizer for cleaning your hands.

Separate – Don’t Cross-Contaminate.
Cross-contamination during preparation, grilling and serving food is a prime cause of foodborne illness. When packing the cooler chest for an outing, wrap raw meats securely and avoid raw meat juices from contact with ready-to-eat food by storing raw meat below these foods. Wash plates, utensils and cutting boards that held the raw meat or poultry before using again for cooked food.

Cook: Cook to Safe Temperatures.
Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Take a food thermometer along. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside, so be sure that meats are cooked thoroughly. Check them with a food thermometer.

Cook to proper temperatures and maintain the proper temperature for at least 15 seconds. Proper cooking temperatures of some foods include:

Fish steaks and beef steaks …………….…..1450F (or higher)
Ground meat …………………………………1600F (or higher)
Poultry …………………………………..….. 1650F (or higher)

Chill: Refrigerate Promptly.
Holding food at an unsafe temperature is a prime cause of foodborne illness. Keep cold food cold at 410F or less.

Keep perishable food cold like luncheon meats, cooked meats, chicken, and potato or pasta salads by storing in an insulated cooler packed with ample ice (at least several inches deep), ice packs, or containers of frozen water. Replenish ice frequently throughout the day.
Consider packing canned beverages in one cooler and perishable food in another cooler because the beverage cooler will probably be opened frequently.

Remember – when in doubt, throw it out.
Food left out of refrigeration for more than two hours may not be safe to eat. Above 90 °F, food should not be left out over one hour. Play it safe; put leftover perishables back on ice once you finish eating so they do not spoil or become unsafe to eat.

Following these guidelines can help to make summer outings more enjoyable for all. For information about food safety and additional cooking temperatures, visit http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm094562.htm or call the Coconino County Public Health Services District at 928.679.8750 or toll-free at 1.877.679.7272.

Coconino County Offices closed May 29 in honor of Memorial Day

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FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 29, 2017 in honor of Memorial Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will be open. Records will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and no staff or services will be available. Drinking fountains and hose spigots have been turned off at all parks, but bathrooms are still available at Raymond County Park, Peaks View County Park, and Sawmill County Park. Water and bathrooms are available at Louise Yellowman County Park, located in Tuba City.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.