Board reviews proposed wildfire hardening and energy building codes

County-backed wildfire mitigation bills stall in state House

Board approves contract for Sedona emergency siren system

Strong sales tax revenues drive public works projects despite electric vehicle concerns

Parks department outlines five-year capital improvement strategy

County seeks new public-private partnerships as The North Pole Experience evaluates its future options

1. Board reviews proposed wildfire hardening and energy building codes

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Coconino County is considering adopting the 2024 International Code Council building codes, which would introduce mandatory wildfire home hardening for new construction in the wildland-urban interface. Coconino County Community Development Director Jay Christelman presented the proposed changes Tuesday, highlighting requirements such as Class A roofs, non-combustible gutters, fire-resistant decking and 5-foot combustion-free zones to combat the region's property insurance crisis. To balance safety with affordability, the county is proposing a simplified "prescriptive package" for the new energy code, which Christelman estimates would add approximately $6,500 to $8,500 to the cost of a standard 1,600-square-foot home, contrasting with the more expensive net-zero requirements being considered by the city of Flagstaff.

2. County-backed wildfire mitigation bills stall in state House

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Two priority state legislative bills, including House Bill 2292, aimed at providing wildfire risk reduction grants and insurance mitigation funding have stalled in the state House Appropriations Committee. Coconino County Deputy Manager Eric Peterson reported that the committee chairman declined to hear the bills, citing budget constraints, despite the bills successfully passing their initial committees. County officials are now pivoting their advocacy efforts to the state Senate, hoping to attach the funding mechanisms to alternative legislative vehicles during the upcoming budget process.

3. Board approves contract for Sedona emergency siren system

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $268,471 independent contractor agreement with Genasys Inc. for the installation of a mass notification acoustic siren system in the city of Sedona. Funded by the fiscal year 2023 Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Operations Center grant program, the project will enhance emergency alert capabilities for residents and visitors in the area. Coconino County Deputy Manager Eric Peterson noted that the approved contract included minor legal corrections but remained functionally identical to a previously reviewed version.

4. Strong sales tax revenues drive public works projects despite electric vehicle concerns

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Coconino County Public Works officials reported a robust transportation fund driven by the road maintenance sales tax, enabling the county to execute major roadway preservation and safety projects without relying on the general fund. During a budget presentation, officials highlighted upcoming projects, including widened shoulders for bicyclists on a county roadway and a new staging parking lot on a recreation-corridor roadway. However, staff and supervisors expressed concern over the increasing number of electric vehicles, noting that their heavier weight degrades roads faster while their owners do not contribute to the Highway User Revenue Fund through gas taxes.

5. Parks department outlines five-year capital improvement strategy

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Coconino County Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth presented a five-year capital outlook focused on addressing deferred maintenance and executing master plans across the county. Key upcoming projects include the acquisition and master planning of the Gonzalez Ranch property near Williams, as well as significant infrastructure improvements at the Coconino County Fairgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park, including a new multipurpose livestock building. Nemeth noted that the department relies heavily on public-private partnership revenues and the county fair fund to support these capital projects, purposely keeping the financial burden off the county's general fund.

6. County seeks new public-private partnerships as The North Pole Experience evaluates its future options

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for a potential revenue shift as The North Pole Experience, a major public-private partner at Fort Tuthill County Park, evaluates its future options. With The North Pole Experience's contract expiring in three to four years, Coconino County Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth told the board the county must explore new revenue-generating partnerships to prepare for any anticipated financial void. The county is currently finalizing a request for proposals for a drive-thru holiday lighting experience to help sustain the special funds used for park maintenance and improvements.

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