Page City Council Summary
Week of May 28, 2026
Council approves assistant city manager position in 5-2 vote
Preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget adopted in 6-1 vote
Downtown Beautification and Revitalization Project advances with strong public support
City approves development agreement for housing project
State lobbyist warns council of budget constraints and water issues
New detox facility planned for late summer opening
Page and Big Water enter mutual aid agreement for fire protection
Council approves assistant city manager position in 5-2 vote
PAGE, Ariz. — The city council approved the creation of an assistant city manager position for the fiscal year 2027 budget, a move that sparked debate over fiscal responsibility. City Manager Frank Marbury advocated for the new grade 26 position, which will cost the city over $200,000 annually, to alleviate a bottleneck caused by 13 direct reports and to allow more focus on strategic initiatives. The measure passed 5-2, with two unnamed council members dissenting. Both opposed adding a high-cost permanent position amid economic uncertainties, suggesting internal restructuring and waiting a year before expanding the executive team.
Preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget adopted in 6-1 vote
PAGE, Ariz. — The council adopted the preliminary revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year 2027 budget in a 6-1 vote. The $87 million budget prompted discussions on transparency, particularly regarding a general "Council-directed infrastructure projects" line item that could potentially fund a housing project. A council member expressed concern over approving large funding allocations without dedicated public agenda items. The budget also includes $7.5 million in projected land sales related to a city property, a figure some council members initially questioned but ultimately left intact.
Downtown Beautification and Revitalization Project advances with strong public support
PAGE, Ariz. — The Downtown Beautification and Revitalization Project is moving toward its 30 percent design phase following a presentation by Norris Design on the city's latest public engagement survey. The survey, which garnered 532 responses, revealed strong community preference for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Residents favored a pedestrian promenade on Block 17 and a shared mobility way on Elm Street featuring bike lanes and additional trees. Designers will now incorporate a recent parking study and further business stakeholder feedback into a preferred master plan, with construction slated to begin in 2027.
City approves development agreement for housing project
PAGE, Ariz. — The council unanimously approved a development agreement and waiver to advance a housing project. Under the agreement, the city will initiate a public bidding process for the public infrastructure portion of the project to comply with state procurement laws. The city will reimburse the developer up to $1.5 million for infrastructure costs such as curbs, gutters and storm drains. Officials noted that the fixed reimbursement cap protects the city from assuming the risk of budget overruns.
State lobbyist warns council of budget constraints and water issues
PAGE, Ariz. — The city's state lobbyist provided a legislative update, warning the council of a tight state budget tied up in federal conformity and negotiations over the renewal of Proposition 123, a critical education funding measure tied to the State Land Trust. The lobbyist advised the city to monitor state transportation funding, particularly regarding an anticipated $8.66 million in state dollars for roadway and utility improvements on North Lake Powell Boulevard and funding for a South Lake Powell Boulevard roundabout. The lobbyist also noted that statewide concerns regarding groundwater and Colorado River cuts remain a primary focus at the state Capitol, potentially leading to increased litigation funding.
New detox facility planned for late summer opening
PAGE, Ariz. — A new local detox facility is slated to open by the end of the summer, according to a report from the Substance Abuse Task Force. A council member updated the council on the task force's recent activities, which included a presentation from a provider on the upcoming facility and an annual overdose fatality report from Coconino County health officials. The task force is also launching a youth alcohol prevention campaign featuring community surveys and newly designed promotional materials.
Page and Big Water enter mutual aid agreement for fire protection
PAGE, Ariz. — The city unanimously approved an intergovernmental mutual aid agreement for fire protection with the neighboring town of Big Water, Utah. The standard mutual aid contract allows the two municipalities to share fire suppression resources during emergencies. City Attorney Joshua Smith noted that the current agreement covers fire services only, while a separate mutual aid agreement encompassing emergency medical services and ambulance services is currently in development.
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