Arizona’s cities rely on our state and federal partners.
As I write this, I’m in the Phoenix airport waiting on what was originally a five-hour layover and what is now a nine-hour layover due to winter storms. I’m on my way to Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting, and I’m going a day early to meet with Senators Gallego and Kelly and I was to meet with staff from Congressmen Crane and Stanton’s offices, however because of snow, House offices are closed.
The City Council creates a legislative agenda each year – areas we want to focus on and communicate with our state and federal leaders about. Transportation, flood mitigation, forest health and housing are usually on this agenda as they are this year.
Requests to the Arizona Legislature
Sponsored by Arizona Representative Teresa Martinez, HB2804 establishes the Rural Development and Housing Tax Credit program to address the critical shortage of affordable housing in rural communities. The bill creates a state tax credit that complements the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, specifically targeting projects in counties with populations under 800,000. If passed, this bill will not only increase affordable housing options for working families, seniors and vulnerable populations in rural Arizona, but will leverage private investment by providing state tax credits that make projects financially feasible. The bill allocates $2 million annually in tax credits from 2026 through 2036, supporting projects that meet federal standards.
Sponsored by Arizona Senator
Wendy Rogers’ SB1064 allocates $3 million toward improvement of West Route 66 and helps the city leverage additional federal funds. This corridor is increasingly busy and one of the highest-injury crash roadways in the city. The City of Flagstaff has committed $10.8 million through Proposition 419 and private developers have contributed over $2 million. The federally funded concept design is complete, and the project is ready for a final design. The planned improvements – including roundabouts, additional lanes and safety treatments like sidewalks, crossings and bike lanes – are designed to meet immediate needs, serve future growth, improve safety and support access for residents, visitors and freight.
Requests and Appreciation to Senators Gallego and Kelly
Arizona’s Senators included three City of Flagstaff requests in the federal FY 2025 budget, which haven’t yet been funded. These remain our top priorities, and we hope to see appropriations this year. The La Plaza Vieja Phase 2 Infrastructure Improvements will provide traffic calming measures, safer pedestrian crossings, increased visibility of pedestrians, improved ramps and improved storm drain locations for this historic neighborhood. We’ve requested $1.2 million toward construction.
The Flagstaff Airport Terminal Expansion, Accessibility and Drainage Improvements project will provide design work for terminal expansion and accessibility improvements, as well as design and construction for tarmac drainage improvements. We’ve requested $1.4 million.
Rather than constructing a new wastewater treatment plant with an estimated price tag of $350 million, the city is working through a rate-funded solids handling facility that will turn wastewater solids into feedstock to produce biochar. The city has requested $4 million to design and partially construct a cutting-edge biochar facility at the treatment plant, which will serve as a model for sustainable wastewater management. Biochar is a product generated from biosolids that is used as a substitute for coal and carbon filters. It also is a means to drastically reduce the tonnage of solids produced.
The Rio de Flag Flood Control Project continues to move forward, but this complex project still has a few issues to resolve. Both of Flagstaff’s Senators and Congressmen Crane and Stanton have been big supporters of the project and have from time to time reached out to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to continue moving forward and to maintain our project as a top priority. I’ll be speaking with them urging them to vote for a Post-Authorization Change Report (PACR) included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This legislation authorizes, but doesn’t fund, the USACE to study and construct projects, including flood control. The city’s continued advocacy, support from the Arizona delegation, and our strong partnership with the USACE will keep this project moving and allow for the first phase of the project to begin within the next year or two.
Flagstaff is fortunate to have strong relationships with state and federal elected leaders and we’re grateful for their leadership and assistance with so many critical projects. Arizona’s cities rely on our state and federal partners.
If you’d like to learn more about the City Council’s legislative priorities, you can view the document online at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/4800/Intergovernmental-Affairs
To learn more about MetroPlan and transportation planning in the greater Flagstaff area, visit https://www.metroplanflg.org/
To learn more about the City of Flagstaff’s capital improvement projects, visit https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1942/Capital-Improvements
I’m available to Flagstaff residents at becky.daggett@flagstaffaz.gov. I look forward to connecting with you! FBN
By Becky Daggett
Becky Daggett is the mayor of Flagstaff.
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