Page local news summary

Mayor Defends Data Center Proposal Amidst Public Concern, Council Split

Coconino Community College Asks Voters for $100 Million Bond

Page Public Transit System in "Critical Condition," Major Overhaul Planned

Council Hires Volaire to Guide Airport Service Strategy

Major Water Infrastructure Projects Reported to Be Progressing Smoothly

Parks & Rec Updates: Disc Golf to Expand, Splash Pad Nearing Completion

American Red Cross to Establish Greater Presence in Page

City Seeks Public Input for Downtown Beautification Project

Insurance Industry Addresses Supervisors on Wildfire Crisis, Urges Mitigation

County Moves Forward on Decade-Spanning Comprehensive Plan

Board Debates "Indigenous" vs. "Native American" Terminology in County Plan

County Accepts Grant for Remote Court Pods Near Navajo Nation

Mayor Defends Data Center Proposal Amidst Public Concern, Council Split

PAGE - Mayor Bill Kidman opened Wednesday’s council meeting with a robust defense of a controversial data center proposal, citing a potential annual sales tax revenue of over $9.8 million for the city from the facility's power consumption alone. Addressing widespread community concerns, Kidman assured the public that the project is in its earliest stages and that protections for the city's water and power supplies would be paramount. He stated the company would have to secure its own water and power allotments from outside the city, though they would be routed through Page Utilities. Despite the mayor’s assurances, several citizens voiced strong opposition during public comment, raising concerns about transparency, water usage in the desert, and the project’s scale. The council later voted 5-2 to enter an executive session to discuss the potential land sale, indicating a division on the issue.

Coconino Community College Asks Voters for $100 Million Bond

PAGE - For the first time in 25 years, Coconino Community College (CCC) is asking voters to approve a capital construction bond, this time for $100 million. A representative for the college presented the plan, which would fund major projects in Flagstaff, Williams, and Page. For Page residents, the bond is estimated to cost an average of $2-3 per month on property taxes. The funds allocated for Page would help subsidize new student housing, making it more affordable, and support the expansion of programs, with RV maintenance and marine technology being considered. The special bond election will be held on November 4th, with mail-in ballots and a single issue on the ballot.

Page Public Transit System in "Critical Condition," Major Overhaul Planned

PAGE - A comprehensive review of Page’s public transit system revealed the service is in "critical condition," according to a presentation by the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) and Quality Connections, the nonprofit now running the service. Citing an aging fleet, unreliable schedules, and a lack of data, officials announced a "Pardon Our Dust" campaign beginning in mid-October. This temporary phase will replace current routes with a single 30-minute circular route around the mesa and to Walmart, supplemented by door-to-door service. The change will allow staff to focus on a year-long planning effort to design a modern, reliable system, with app-based "microtransit" being strongly considered as a future model.

Council Hires Volaire to Guide Airport Service Strategy

PAGE - Following a closed-door executive session, the City Council voted unanimously to hire Volaire Aviation Consulting. The firm will be tasked with advising the city on its Essential Air Service (EAS) strategy, a federal program that subsidizes commercial air service to smaller communities. The council evaluated proposals from both Volaire and a competing firm before making their selection. The decision comes as the city prepares to navigate the bidding process for securing a reliable airline partner for the Page Municipal Airport.

Major Water Infrastructure Projects Reported to Be Progressing Smoothly

PAGE - The city’s critical water infrastructure projects—the new "water straw" intake at Lake Powell and the water treatment plant upgrade—are moving forward successfully, according to a report from the Page Utility board meeting. Officials noted that progress with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been very positive. To help streamline the complex administrative process involving multiple state and federal agencies, the City Council unanimously granted the mayor authority to sign necessary project-related documents that do not commit the city to new financial obligations, a move intended to prevent delays.

Parks & Rec Updates: Disc Golf to Expand, Splash Pad Nearing Completion

PAGE - The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reported on several popular community projects. The city’s disc golf course has been a major success, drawing visitors from long distances, and will be expanded from 18 to 27 holes this winter. Meanwhile, construction on the new splash pad is progressing well. The board also noted that a local service club is moving forward with installing 10 sponsored benches along the Rim Trail and is considering a similar project for the Red Mesa Rim Trail. The board expressed a desire to see the planned BMX pump track built on the mesa for easier community access.

American Red Cross to Establish Greater Presence in Page

PAGE - The American Red Cross is looking to establish a stronger, more localized presence in Page and surrounding remote areas, according to a presentation by the executive director for the new Northern Arizona chapter. He explained that the goal is to reduce disaster response times from hours to under 60 minutes by storing supplies, conducting training, and building a team of local volunteers in strategic communities like Page. The organization hopes to partner with the city, fire department, and faith-based groups to host its first shelter and disaster response training in Page this fall.

City Seeks Public Input for Downtown Beautification Project

PAGE - Residents are being asked to help shape the future of downtown Page. The City Manager announced that a public survey is now available on the city’s website for the downtown beautification project. Community feedback gathered from the survey will be sent directly to the Norris Group, the design firm hired to develop plans for revitalizing the city’s core. The survey provides an opportunity for citizens to share their vision and priorities for the upcoming streetscape improvements.

Insurance Industry Addresses Supervisors on Wildfire Crisis, Urges Mitigation

COCONINO COUNTY - Coconino County supervisors heard from the insurance industry Tuesday regarding the escalating crisis of homeowners being denied coverage or facing massive rate hikes due to wildfire risk. A representative for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association presented data showing Coconino County ranks in the 96th percentile for wildfire risk nationally. The representative stated the industry’s solution lies in robust, science-based mitigation at both the property and community level. He highlighted the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) "Wildfire Prepared Home" certification as the emerging gold standard for reducing risk, which includes creating non-combustible zones around homes and using fire-rated materials. While the board expressed frustration over the lack of immediate solutions for existing homeowners, the presentation underscored that widespread, verifiable mitigation is what the industry believes will be necessary to stabilize the market.

County Moves Forward on Decade-Spanning Comprehensive Plan

COCONINO COUNTY - The Board of Supervisors held a lengthy work session to continue its review of the updated County Comprehensive Plan, a foundational document that will guide land use, growth, and conservation for the next decade. A county planner outlined the plan's core priorities, which are rooted in shared community values: maintaining rural character, stewarding the natural environment, and serving the county’s diverse communities. The updated plan streamlines hundreds of policies into a more focused document and identifies high-priority actions, including conducting a countywide housing needs assessment, developing a multimodal transportation plan, and considering a new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code to make communities more resilient to fire. The plan will next go before the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing on September 24th.

Board Debates "Indigenous" vs. "Native American" Terminology in County Plan

COCONINO COUNTY - A significant and nuanced discussion took place regarding the terminology used to refer to the region's original inhabitants within the new Comprehensive Plan. Following community feedback, a debate emerged over the use of "Indigenous" versus "Native American." Advisory group members and residents argued that "Indigenous" is a more progressive and international term that recognizes pre-colonial status and sovereignty. Conversely, it was noted that "Native American" is the term codified in federal law and used by many tribal governments in official communications. After hearing from multiple perspectives, the board reached a consensus to use both terms, applying "Native American" in contexts related to federal law and government-to-government relations, while using "Indigenous" more broadly throughout the rest of the document to reflect evolving community preference.

County Accepts Grant for Remote Court Pods Near Navajo Nation

COCONINO COUNTY - To improve access to the justice system for rural residents, the board accepted a $131,800 grant from the Arizona Supreme Court. The funds will be used to install two "remote court pods" in communities on or near the Navajo Nation. These pods will provide a secure, no-cost way for individuals to attend virtual court proceedings, addressing challenges like transportation barriers and high rates of failure to appear. The grant also approves the hiring of two limited-term staff members to serve as navigators at the chosen locations, assisting residents with using the technology and accessing the court system.

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