Board reviews tentative budget for fiscal year 2027

Board discusses travel stipends for supervisors

Board reviews 2024 ICC building codes with energy and fire safety updates

Opportunity Zones 2.0 recommendation delayed over rural equity concerns

Emergency voting centers authorized for July primary election

Board accepts 488-acre land donation for public recreation

Updated Rogers Lake County Natural Area management plan reviewed

1. Board reviews tentative budget for fiscal year 2027

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed a $460,432,590 tentative budget for fiscal year 2027 at Tuesday's meeting. The balanced budget represents a 3.9 percent overall increase from the previous year, with a 5 percent increase to the general fund. The tentative budget establishes a spending ceiling for the upcoming fiscal year and includes a 2.5 percent employee compensation increase, a 5 percent bump for department operations and a 25 percent emergency reserve to cover potential natural disasters or cash flow needs. A final truth-in-taxation hearing and formal budget adoption is scheduled for June 23.

2. Board discusses travel stipends for supervisors

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — Following a discussion on travel processes, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed its current in-state travel stipend model for supervisors and their district directors, comparing it to the standard employee reimbursement process. Board Chair Patrice Horstman advocated for utilizing a standard reimbursement process for tracking expenses. Several supervisors noted that an upfront stipend provides necessary and equitable support for the differing travel demands of their large districts, while maintaining a minimum expectation of 80 percent in-person attendance at board meetings.

3. Board reviews 2024 ICC building codes with energy and fire safety updates

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed the 2024 International Code Council suite of codes, which includes an updated fee table, an alternative methods and materials program and local amendments aimed at boosting energy efficiency. The proposed standards include a requirement for 95 percent efficiency furnaces in new construction and incorporate fire-resistant home-hardening provisions for properties in the wildland-urban interface. Local builders and design professionals spoke during a public hearing in support of the update, praising the county's collaborative approach to balancing safety improvements with rising construction costs.

4. Opportunity Zones 2.0 recommendation delayed over rural equity concerns

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors postponed a decision on recommending local census tracts for designation under the federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, a tax incentive initiative designed to spur economic development and job creation. While eligible tracts were presented for potential housing and commercial projects, board members expressed frustration that rural, low-income areas were excluded by federal mapping in favor of urban centers. The board tabled the item to gather further data on economic impacts and to strategize on advocating for better rural representation before making a final recommendation to the Arizona Commerce Authority.

5. Emergency voting centers authorized for July primary election

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — In preparation for an adjusted local election calendar, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors authorized County Recorder Aubrey Sonderegger and Elections Director Eslir Musta to utilize emergency voting centers for the July 21 primary election, increasing the total number of vote centers from 15 to 17. Election officials noted the primary date was moved up by two weeks this cycle, shifting key election administration deadlines earlier in the summer. The emergency centers are intended to ensure voters maintain easy, safe and flexible access to the polls amid the scheduling shift.

6. Board accepts 488-acre land donation for public recreation

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special warranty deed to accept the donation of the 488-acre Gonzalez Ranch property from the Trust for Public Land. The acquisition will expand local open spaces and be preserved for low-impact, passive recreation. Under the deed's restrictions, the county can only transfer the property to another government entity or nonprofit organization in the future to ensure it remains public land. A formal public dedication ceremony for the property is planned for later this year.

7. Updated Rogers Lake County Natural Area management plan reviewed

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed the 2026 Rogers Lake County Natural Area Management Plan following a multiyear drafting process that incorporated stakeholder and public feedback. The updated plan reflects recent changes to the area, including an expansion of protected land, the removal of outdated structures and the installation of wildlife-friendly fencing to protect local species. The low-impact recreation area has also become the site of an extensive milkweed planting project aimed at attracting and supporting monarch butterflies.

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