City seeks applicants to fill vacant council seat

Primary election moved to July 21

Westwind Air Service to vacate airport terminal space

Airport terminal expansion set to begin in March

Council approves $500,000 for new BMX pump track

Parks board proposes urban trail system

Downtown revitalization and sports complex updates

Utility board secures released funds for water treatment

Board commits $2.44 million match for Tusayan flood mitigation

Flood Control District funds Munds Park feasibility study

County seeks $2.5 billion for Grand Canyon region restoration

Public Fiduciary reports housing crisis for county wards

Board criticizes federal policy impacts on vulnerable residents

County expands utility assistance for low-income residents

City seeks applicants to fill vacant council seat

PAGE, Ariz. — City officials announced that the city is accepting letters of interest to fill a city council seat vacated by the loss of Councilor David Auge. Interested parties must submit their letters to the city clerk's office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2026. To qualify for appointment, applicants must be at least 18 years old, a qualified elector and a resident of Page for at least one year prior to the date of appointment.

Primary election moved to July 21

PAGE, Ariz. — City Manager Frank Marbury reported that state legislation has shifted the date of the upcoming primary election. Originally scheduled for Aug. 4, the primary will now take place two weeks earlier on July 21. City officials advised residents to mark their calendars and contact the city clerk's office with any questions regarding the schedule change.

Westwind Air Service to vacate airport terminal space

PAGE, Ariz. — The city council voted unanimously to allow Westwind Air Service to terminate its lease for gift shop space at the Page Municipal Airport, effective Feb. 28, 2026. Airport Director Kyle Lohr told the council that the air service requested the termination and that the space is highly sought after by other vendors. Additionally, the vacancy will provide necessary swing space for other tenants during upcoming terminal construction.

Airport terminal expansion set to begin in March

PAGE, Ariz. — During the discussion regarding the Westwind Air Service lease, Airport Director Kyle Lohr revealed that the terminal expansion project is scheduled to begin in three to four weeks. The construction will renovate the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) section and ticket counters, requiring the temporary displacement of current tenants. The newly vacated gift shop area will be utilized to house displaced vendors to ensure business continuity during the one- to two-month renovation of the counter space.

Council approves $500,000 for new BMX pump track

PAGE, Ariz. — The city council unanimously voted to award a design and build contract to American Ramp Company for a new BMX Pump Track Park, with costs not to exceed $500,000. The council selected "Option 1" from the proposal, which includes a main track and a separate beginner speed loop. Staff noted that while this option maximizes track square footage, city park staff will handle the installation of surrounding amenities, such as seating, in-house.

Parks board proposes urban trail system

PAGE, Ariz. — The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reported that it has identified an urban trail system as a top strategic priority for the upcoming fiscal budget. City staff is currently researching the feasibility of the project, which aligns with the city council's existing strategic goals.

Downtown revitalization and sports complex updates

PAGE, Ariz. — Planning and Zoning Director Sylvia Shaffer provided updates to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board regarding the ongoing downtown revitalization project, directing the public to pagebeautification.com for information. Additionally, equipment for updated lighting at the sports complex has been ordered and is expected to arrive in early March, with installation scheduling to follow.

Utility board secures released funds for water treatment

PAGE, Ariz. — The Page Utility Enterprises (PUE) board reported that more than $3 million in funding from 2023 has finally been released for use after administrative delays. The funds are designated for upgrades to the water treatment plant. Board officials noted that the water project team is also seeking funding through the Great American Outdoors Act to partner with the National Park Service for pump station and piping improvements.

Board commits $2.44 million match for Tusayan flood mitigation

Acting as the Flood Control District Board of Directors, the Board of Supervisors approved a $2.44 million allocation to serve as a matching fund for a federal grant in partnership with the Town of Tusayan. The funds are intended to support the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant for long-term flood mitigation projects. The proposed infrastructure improvements aim to protect access to Grand Canyon National Park, State Route 64, and the local water reclamation plant from flooding events.

Flood Control District funds Munds Park feasibility study

The directors approved the allocation of $300,000 from the Flood Control District budget to conduct a feasibility study for mitigation projects in the Munds Park area. District Administrator Lucinda Andreani stated that the study is a necessary first step to secure future federal grant monies for long-term infrastructure needs. The board emphasized that while this project is non-emergency, it represents a proactive shift toward managing flood risks before they become crises.

County seeks $2.5 billion for Grand Canyon region restoration

As part of their federal platform, supervisors finalized a request for $2.5 billion in funding over seven to 10 years via the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). The funding would support the rebuilding of North Rim infrastructure and forest restoration within the Kaibab National Forest. The board discussed the need to advocate for a policy change that would allow GAOA funds to be used for vegetation management to create defensible fire zones, a use currently prohibited under the act's recreation-focused mandates.

Public Fiduciary reports housing crisis for county wards

Coconino County Public Fiduciary Rashida Suminski reported that the department is facing a severe shortage of local housing for the 133 wards currently under county guardianship. Suminski noted that 40 percent of clients are seriously mentally ill, yet many must be placed in facilities in Phoenix or Tucson due to a lack of providers in northern Arizona. The department is operating at a significant financial deficit, recouping only about 10 percent of its budget through client fees, as staff struggle to manage a region that stretches from Fredonia to Kingman.

Board criticizes federal policy impacts on vulnerable residents

Supervisors expressed concern regarding the impact of recent federal legislation and bureaucratic changes on the county's poorest residents. Public Fiduciary Suminski detailed how new redetermination processes for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are causing incapacitated wards to lose coverage or face delays in food assistance. Board members criticized the administrative hurdles, such as requirements for in-person Social Security appointments, and directed staff to create advocacy materials to present to federal delegates requesting policy reforms.

County expands utility assistance for low-income residents

The board approved an amendment to a contract with Wildfire, formerly the Arizona Community Action Agency, increasing funding for the Crisis Bill Assistance program. The amendment raises the contract amount from $83,010 to $108,010 through June 2026, utilizing funds from Arizona Public Service (APS). Discussion highlighted the timing of the assistance amid incoming winter storms, noting that the program helps residents at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level pay utility bills.

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