We are seeing great numbers for our economy and city budget, and I don’t believe we should strain the pockets of our residents unnecessarily.
First and foremost, our stormwater infrastructure projects have received more financial support through our intergovernmental partnerships. On Jan. 19, we got word that Flagstaff will receive $2.7 million from the AZ Water Infrastructure Authority through the leadership of Congressman Greg Stanton. We are the only city in Arizona to have received two funded projects: $1.2 million was awarded for a lateral tunnel in downtown and $1.5 million is going toward the detention basin at Killip Elementary in Sunnyside. The location of the old school that was flooded last year is being turned into fields that will also capture flood water so that it can be absorbed by our stormwater system. I am thankful for Flagstaff Unified School District working so quickly with us to see this through before the next school year.
Just north of the Killip school is the Dortha Inlet and channel, which the city has allocated $2 million to improve. There is a lot of work still to do and more funds are needed, but we are very glad that in the last six months through our successful partnerships, we have secured $12 million worth of funding for improvement to the Museum Fire burn scar flood area alone.
This month, the Flagstaff City Council has completed the first approval of annexation for a new detox and rehabilitation facility with 174 beds. This is really big for our community, since the closest detox facility is in Prescott. It is a needed service that I am happy is coming to Flagstaff to help our community members.
Our first budget retreat of 2022 will be held virtually on Feb. 3 and 4, where we will get preliminary revenue projections, hear about needs assessments and get input from the council on how we would like to see your tax dollars budgeted. It should be a very informative and productive retreat and is available to watch through the public streaming link here: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings.
When it comes to budgeting, I know a lot of people are concerned about property tax rates, especially considering home values have increased dramatically in the last few years. Last year, the Flagstaff City Council majority reduced the property tax rates so that we’d be revenue-neutral for current properties, despite the increase in property values. I personally have no interest in increasing the levy and want to see property tax rates further reduced during this budget session. We are seeing great numbers for our economy and city budget, and I don’t believe we should strain the pockets of our residents unnecessarily.
As always, if you ever want to contact me with questions, concerns or creative ideas (my favorite), please email paul.deasy@flagstaffaz.gov.
Stay safe out there, everyone! FBN
By Paul Deasy, FBN
Paul Deasy is the mayor of Flagstaff. These statements and views are provided solely by the mayor and do not necessarily reflect the views of Flagstaff City Council.
