Category Archives: Counties

Flood Control District Board Approves Two Essential Funding Sources for County Flood Mitigation Projects

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FLAGSTAFF — At this week’s special session of the Coconino County Flood Control District Board of Directors they approved acceptance of two new Federal grants that will enable the District to immediately proceed with the first phase of long-term flood mitigation projects in the Schultz-Pipeline Flood Area.

The Schultz-Pipeline Flood Area is defined as the neighborhoods downstream of nine major watersheds damaged by the Schultz Wildfire in 2010 and the Pipeline Wildfire this past year. The District, along with several engineering partners, have determined that without extensive on-forest and neighborhood mitigation measures, the risk of life-threatening floods affecting our communities will only increase.

“The priority of local government is the health and safety of our citizens, and our citizens’ lives and homes were severely impacted this past monsoon season by the nine watersheds compromised by two major wildfires,” said Chair of the Board Patrice Horstman.

“We want to thank Senators Kelly and Sinema and former Congressman Tom O’Halleran for their strong support with securing this unprecedented funding. Without it, the District and County would have likely had to cut other services to provide flood mitigation.”

The two funding sources include $42 million from the United States Forest Service, which allows the District to commence with on-forest watershed restoration projects. After the Pipeline Fire damaged the nine watersheds, the downstream water flows increased 10 to 26 times resulting a massive amount of sediment leaving the burn area and moving into the downstream neighborhoods. On-forest watershed restoration is the most critical piece of the District’s flood mitigation plans, as these measures help reduce the flow of dangerous sediment and other debris that is impacting downstream neighborhoods.

“The Coconino National Forest is thrilled to continue our amazing partnership with Coconino County and support the important work to manage the impacts from wildfire and flooding in and around our communities,” said Aaron Mayville, Forest Supervisor on the Coconino National Forest. “We’re all in this together and I look forward to seeing the great work this funding will make possible.”

The second funding mechanism is $9 million through an agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service as a part of their Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) to begin neighborhood flood mitigation projects in the Wupatki Trails and Brandis Way flood corridors. These projects will focus on improvements to channels and box culverts that will better manage the increased flood waters within these neighborhoods. The neighborhood flood mitigation from the Schultz Fire era was overwhelmed by the increased water flows during 45 major flood events in June, July, and August of 2022.

The Emergency Watershed Protection Program, a federal emergency recovery program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes. The program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.

“These grants are the product of great teamwork between the District and our partners and representatives in Washington D.C.,” added District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler. “I’m so pleased that we have this good news about being able to address the impacts of both the wildfires and the flooding afterwards.”

For the status of the Flood Control District’s ongoing flood mitigation efforts, important information about proper water management on private property, and information about private flood insurance and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, please visit: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2926/SchultzPipeline-Flood-Area

Yavapai County Sheriff warns of jewelry fraud.

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Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the ongoing investigation of fraudulent sales of fake gold jewelry being sold as real in the Verde Valley, and more recently, Chino Valley and Ash Fork/Seligman areas. There have been multiple reports from citizens and a local jewelry store of an unknown suspect scamming people by approaching them with a sob story about why he needs money and offering to sell his “gold jewelry” to unsuspecting victims. YCSO would like to encourage our citizens and visitors to refrain from engaging in private sales of expensive goods during random encounters with strangers. These situations often pose a significant risk of malicious schemes designed to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Don’t fall victim to this fake jewelry scheme occurring across Yavapai County.
If you have any information, please contact YCSO non-emergency line (928)771-3274 or Yavapai Silent Witness 1-800-932-3232.

Applicants Sought for Three School District Governing Board Vacancies in Coconino County

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for the following School District Governing Boards:

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

Applications can be downloaded at this address: http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication

Completed applications may be submitted by email to mdespain@coconino.az.gov, by fax to 928-526-1469, or by mail addressed to:
Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

For all applications an original, signed document is required. The deadline to submit is January 31, 2023, by 5 p.m.

An advisory committee may be assembled consisting of district residents and a current
board member to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments.

For more information, please contact Michelle Despain, program coordinator for the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools office, at 928-679-8070 or email – mdespain@coconino.az.gov.

Write-In Candidate Filing Opens for Position of City of Page Justice of the Peace

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FLAGSTAFF — The public is notified that with the passing of Justice of the Peace Candidate Donald G. Roberts and following Arizona Revised Statute 16-343(D), the Coconino County Elections Department is opening the write-in candidate filing period for the office of the Page Justice of the Peace.

To be considered an official write-in candidate, a person must file the required nomination papers with the Elections Department by November 3, at 5 p.m. and must meet all the applicable statutory requirements. For information about how to become a write-in candidate for this position, please contact the Coconino County Elections Department at 928-679-7896.

The names of the official write-in candidates will be posted on the Coconino County Elections Department webpages and at each polling location on Election Day. Voters casting a ballot for a write-in candidate must write the official write-in candidate name in the space provided for the race and put a mark on the oval next to the name.

Testing of Election Equipment in Coconino County on October 9

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FLAGSTAFF — The public is invited to observe Logic and Accuracy Testing of the programs and equipment that will be used in the general election in Coconino County on November 8. The tests serve to confirm that all accessible voting equipment works properly and that each tabulator accurately tallies a predetermined, marked set of ballots.

The tests will be performed on October 9 beginning at 9 a.m. at 1186 W University Ave, Suite C in Flagstaff. There is limited space in the onsite viewing room; the public is asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. The testing will be streamed live on the County webpage Live Feed beginning at 9 a.m.

As stated on the Arizona Secretary of State website, “Before each election, voting equipment is tested to ensure that it is operating correctly. This test is performed by the election officials conducting the election as well as by the Secretary of State’s Office.”

“The Logic and Accuracy Tests are the first step in a series of tests and audits conducted throughout the elections process to guarantee the accuracy and integrity of the election equipment in Coconino County,” said Eslir Musta, Coconino County Elections Director.

Questions may be directed to the Coconino County Elections office at 928-679-7896.

Last Call for Basic Archery Clinic

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The last Basic Archery Clinic will be on October 1 at the Archery Range. This clinic is for ages 8 and up and costs $28 for adults and $17 for youth.

The archery clinics require advanced registration, and openings fill quickly! Visit HERE to register for the clinics and other Parks & Recreation programs.

Coconino County thanks volunteers for County Fair

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Thanks to all the workers, volunteers, superintendents, sponsors, partners, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, contractors, and attendees of the 2022 Coconino County Fair.

More than 42,000 people visited over Labor Day weekend.

If you were inspired by this year’s event, please start thinking about a project you might want to enter next year. From gardening to collecting, there are many opportunities to be part of the Fair. See you at the County Fair next year!

Arguments Sought “For” and “Against” Coconino County Jail District Tax Extension

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County’s jail system is administered and operated through a Jail District (District) by the Coconino County Sheriff, who is delegated by Arizona Revised Statutes as keeper of the jail. The District is currently funded by a half-cent excise tax, which expires in 2027. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors serves as the Jail District Board of Directors.

On the upcoming General Election ballot, the District Board of Directors will ask Coconino County voters to extend the existing Jail District tax for maintaining and operating Coconino County jails for 25 years until 2052.

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statues, Title 19, Section 124, Coconino County will prepare an informational pamphlet that will be mailed to all registered voters in the county prior to the General Election on November 8.

Coconino County requests arguments “For” and “Against” the ballot question for inclusion in the pamphlet. Each argument may not exceed 300 words and must include the original signature of the submitting party. If an argument is sponsored by an organization, it must be signed by two of the organization’s executive officers. If the argument is submitted by a political action committee (PAC), it must be signed by the committee’s chairman or treasurer. The person(s) signing the argument must provide their mailing address and phone number. This information will not be printed in the pamphlet.

Arguments may be submitted in writing and delivered by mail or in person to the Clerk of the Board’s Office, or digitally on a compact disc or USB drive. To meet the requirement for an original signature, digital submissions must be accompanied by a paper copy. Arguments may not be submitted via email or file transfer program. There is no fee to submit an argument.

To be considered for inclusion in the informational pamphlet, all arguments must be received by 5 p.m. (MST), Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in the Coconino County Clerk of the Board’s Office at 219 E Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Interested parties with questions may call (928) 679-2145.

Officials Responding to New Haywire Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – The Pipeline Fire, located 6 miles north of Flagstaff, was reported June 12, 2022, at 10:15 a.m. by a fire lookout and is currently 4,500 acres and active on all sides.

Another fire has been reported, known as the Haywire Fire, northeast of the Pipeline Fire. The fire has burned 1,600 acres and was first reported at 5:30 a.m. this morning. Coconino National Forest is responding to this fire separately from the Pipeline Fire at this time. The
Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) will eventually manage both fires.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued GO evacuation orders for the Crater Estates Area. GO means evacuate immediately.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has also issued GO evacuation orders related to the Pipeline Fire for areas of Schultz Pass Road and Arizona Snowbowl and Timberline South of Brandis. GO means evacuate immediately. Areas currently on SET status include Doney Park and Mount Elden Lookout Road/Mount Elden Estates. SET means danger is in the area; make preparations to evacuate immediately.

All residents are asked to be in READY status and should monitor the situation and be
ready to prepare for evacuation.

To follow the current evacuation status for the Pipeline Fire and Haywire Fire, please visit http://ow.ly/2Nll50JvzE5

Shelter Information:

• A Red Cross Shelter is open for residents evacuated due to the Pipeline Fire at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, 86004.
• A shelter for household animals is available at Coconino Humane Association: 3501 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. Please check in with staff upon arrival.
• A Livestock shelter is located at Fort Tuthill County Stables. Those seeking assistance are asked to leave animals in their vehicle or trailer and to check in with staff to complete the animal intake process. Directions to Fort Tuthill County Park are available at: https://www.google.com/maps?q=35.1490865,- 111.6879575&hl=en-US&gl=us&entry=gps&shorturl=1. The livestock stables are self-service. Animal owners are responsible for all services related to their livestock, including feeding and watering, and should bring cages for smaller livestock staying at Fort Tuthill.

US 89 is closed north of Flagstaff due to the Pipeline Fire. The southbound side is closed at milepost 430; the northbound side is closed at milepost 427. There is no estimated time to reopen the road. Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.com.

Information about the status and activity of the Haywire Fire and suppression efforts can be found on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8155/ .

For more information visit www.Coconino.az.gov/PipelineFire or call the Pipeline and Haywire Fire Call Center at 928-679-8525.

Tunnel Fire Community Meeting on Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Sinagua Middle School

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FLAGSTAFF – A Tunnel Fire Community Meeting will be held 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E. Butler Avenue, Flagstaff (parking information below).

This meeting is to provide an update regarding the fire conditions, potential flood risk, and evacuation status.

Representatives from the County, Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Weather Service, and Tunnel Fire Type 1 Incident Management Team will provide information on these topics and be available to answer questions. American Sign Language interpretation will be available at the meeting.

The meeting will also be broadcast live on the Coconino County Facebook page (www.facebook.com/coconinocounty).

People are advised to park behind the school (on the west side of Sinagua Middle School). From N. 4th street, turn onto Sparrow Avenue, then enter the parking lot off Mustang Way, adjacent to the ball field. ADA parking is available. Signage will be displayed. Overflow parking will be available in the school’s east parking lot, which is entered from East Butler Avenue, 3950 East Butler Avenue.

For any questions, please contact the Tunnel Fire Call Center at 928-679-8525. The map of the location is also available on our website at coconino.az.gov/tunnelfire.

WHO: Residents and property owners with re-entry protocol questions and other questions about the Tunnel Fire
WHAT: Tunnel Fire Community Meeting
WHEN: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022
WHERE: Sinagua Middle School
Park behind the school (west side)
3950 E Butler Avenue
Flagstaff, Ariz. 86004