Finance department earns high marks and bond rating upgrade

County to spend $200,000 annually for financial cloud migration

Supervisors grant exception for diversity council unspent funds

Board agrees to compromise on supervisor travel stipends

County weighs $75,000 for Natural Resource Management Plan

Federal restoration measure could join Farm Bill

Criminal justice council launches coloring book for impacted youth

Restructured workforce board faces expected 10 percent funding cut

County launches digital business directory and tourism app

Finance department earns high marks and bond rating upgrade

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Finance Department announced it recently obtained its first Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting in nearly a decade. Additionally, the county maintained an unmodified audit opinion with zero federal award findings and saw its bond rating upgraded to AA+ Stable. Finance director Siri Mullaney credited the department's aggressive work to catch up on delayed audits, noting the AA+ rating is effectively the highest possible score for a tourism-heavy regional economy.

County to spend $200,000 annually for financial cloud migration

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County will migrate its core financial and human resources software to a cloud-based system at an additional recurring cost of $200,000 annually. Finance officials reported the move is mandatory because the vendor will soon stop supporting the county's current on-premise Munis software. Officials opted to pay the increased licensing fees and a one-time migration cost using existing special revenue funds rather than issue a request for proposals for an entirely new system, which was estimated to cost upwards of $4 million and require extensive staff retraining.

Supervisors grant exception for diversity council unspent funds

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors granted a one-time policy exception allowing the county's three diversity councils — the African Diaspora Advisory Council, Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council, and Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council — to carry over unspent funds from their $2,200 annual budgets. County management noted that carrying over operational funds violates standard financial policy and warned against setting a precedent that could cost the county millions if utilized by larger departments. However, it was argued during the meeting that the volunteer councils faced event cancellations beyond their control and should not lose the money. Moving forward, the councils must request specific project funding during the standard budget process rather than automatically rolling over leftover cash.

Board agrees to compromise on supervisor travel stipends

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Following a debate over how to handle travel compensation, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors agreed Wednesday to maintain its current travel stipend structure with specific carve-outs. The board weighed returning to a standard mileage and per-diem reimbursement model against keeping the stipends, which currently vary significantly based on a supervisor's duty station distance from Flagstaff. Ultimately, the board reached a consensus to keep the stipends but exclude the County Supervisors Association annual summit and board retreats located more than 85 miles away, which will be reimbursed separately.

County weighs $75,000 for Natural Resource Management Plan

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Economic development director John Saltonstall proposed a $75,000 one-time expenditure to hire a consultant to draft a Coconino County Natural Resource Management Plan. The plan aims to elevate the county to "cooperator status" under the National Environmental Policy Act, granting local officials stronger leverage in federal and state land management decisions regarding biomass, water and mineral extraction. While the proactive approach to local economic development received some praise during the discussion, the necessity and cost were also questioned, with suggestions that the county already maintains strong partnerships with federal agencies without a formal plan.

Federal restoration measure could join Farm Bill

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Emergency authorities to restore areas devastated by recent wildfires may bypass standard legislative hurdles by being folded into the federal Farm Bill. Government affairs director Keith Brekhus informed the Coconino County Board of Supervisors that a bipartisan congressional coalition is working to include the North Rim Restoration Act provisions into the broader agricultural package. The move would quickly unlock critical U.S. Forest Service resources for post-fire mitigation without needing a standalone vote.

Criminal justice council launches coloring book for impacted youth

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council distributed a newly published activity coloring book specifically designed for children with incarcerated parents. Funded through unexpended department money, the book aims to help local youth process the absence of a parent in a healthy, supportive manner. CJCC director Dianna Kalandros stated the county intends to distribute the materials at "Justice Bus" community outreach events and is already working to translate the book into additional languages and draft a companion guide for caregivers.

Restructured workforce board faces expected 10 percent funding cut

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Newly appointed Workforce Development Director Eilise Fisher reported that the local workforce board anticipates a 10 percent cut in federal funding this year as it works to resolve administrative reviews. Following an organizational transition period, the department is prioritizing expanding its reach beyond Flagstaff by installing self-service employment kiosks in rural public libraries. Fisher also noted the board is actively recruiting private-sector business leaders to meet federal mandates requiring the board to maintain a 51 percent business majority.

County launches digital business directory and tourism app

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County is rolling out a new digital business directory utilizing Bludot software to map and promote over 1,100 local enterprises, including rural roadside vendors who lack traditional web presences. The $6,000 base-budget initiative allows business owners to manage their own digital storefronts, post jobs and advertise sales to both residents and tourists. Concurrently, the Coconino County Communications Department is finalizing a "Contact Coconino" mobile application that will allow residents to geolocate and report civic issues directly to relevant county departments.

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