Category Archives: Flagstaff

Rescue of Injured Climber at Oak Creek Vista

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FLAGSTAFF — On November 10, 2018 at approximately 2:45 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a climbing accident at Oak Creek Vista off of State Route 89A.

Multiple agencies responded to assist in the rescue of the injured climber. A 34-year-old female from Phoenix, AZ had sustained multiple serious injuries, including a back injury, when she fell approximately 40 feet as she began her rappel. Due to the location of the patient and the nature of her injuries, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Sedona Fire District Technical Rope Team members established a technical rope system to lower a rescuer and basket litter to the patient. Highlands Fire and Guardian Medical personnel, along with a Deputy Sheriff, had hiked to the patient’s location to provide initial treatment and help prepare the patient to be raised by the rope system.

Due to the extent of climber’s injuries and difficult terrain, an Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter was called in to determine if a short-haul operation would be feasible. After determining a short haul operation was in the best interest of rescuers and the injured climber, a Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator, who also is a member of the Northern Arizona Regional Heli-Rescue Team, and the climber were short-hauled to the Oak Creek Vista parking lot. From there, the climber was transferred to a Guardian Air Transport helicopter and was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

This incident was another example of the close working relationships between Northern Arizona public safety agencies.

WIC Program hours expanded

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Public Health Services District Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program has added new walk-in and Saturday hours to better serve clients. Clients can now access services without an appointment on scheduled walk-in days and on the second Saturday of each month at 2625 N. King Street in Flagstaff.

Walk-in hours:
Tuesday afternoons 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays 9 a.m. – noon & 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Fridays 8– 11 a.m.

Saturday hours:
2nd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. – noon.

WIC services are also available Monday through Wednesday by appointment. Call CCPHSD WIC at 928-679-7250 to make an appointment or stop by during walk-in hours.

WIC is a public health nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and connections to community services for income-eligible women who are pregnant and postpartum, infants and children up to five years old. To learn more, call the CCPHSD WIC Clinic at 928-679-7850 or visit www.azwic.gov.

Multi-Agency Rescue of Injured Hiker on Mt Elden

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Coconino SAR rescue Mt Elden hiker – CCSO photo

FLAGSTAFF — On October 21 at approximately 2:53 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, responded to Mount Elden Trail and Sunset Trail for the report of an injured adult female hiker incapable of extricating herself.

The adult female hiker from Kayenta was reported to have a lower leg injury that made her unable to continue her hike. Bystanders provided aid until emergency responders arrived at the scene. Emergency responders hiked to the patient’s location and initiated care while Search and Rescue hiked in with a litter, litter wheel, and warming blankets to assist with carrying her out.

The Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter had been staged at the top of Mount Elden. The patient arrived at the top of Mount Elden and was transferred to the helicopter at approximately 6:00 pm and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for additional treatment.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit, Summit Fire District, Guardian Medical Transport, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue Unit responded to the injured hiker on the Mount Elden Lookout Trail near the intersection with the Sunset Trail.

This incident highlights the close working relationship between local public safety agencies to respond to and resolve rescue situations. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the hikers who rendered aid prior to our arrival and remind hikers to be prepared for the unexpected emergency on the trail by carrying at least the Ten Essentials in addition to a charged cell phone.

  1. extra water
  2. extra food
  3. extra warm clothing
  4. navigation equipment
  5. headlamp or flashlight
  6. first aid kit
  7. shelter material (large leaf bag or emergency blanket)
  8. fire starting kit
  9. pocket knife
  10. signaling equipment (whistle/signal mirror)

Amateur radio operators should have local repeaters programmed into their radios. The Mount Elden repeater is 146.980 (162.2 tone – offset), the Bill Williams Mountain repeater is 146.780 (91.5 tone – offset) and the RIMLINK repeater is 146.140 (162.2 tone + offset).

Fredonia Moccasin Unified School District seeking Governing Board Applicants for Appointment

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to the Fredonia Moccasin Unified School District Governing Board. Currently, three seats are vacant.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

Application information:

  • Download the application here http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
  • Deadline to submit is November 30 by 5pm
  • Submit by email to aterhaar@coconino.az.gov (live signature original required)
  • Submit by fax to 928-526-1469 (live signature original required)
  • Mail/Drop off Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

An advisory committee may be assembled, consisting of district residents and a current board member to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent VanderWey on the appointments.

For more information, please call the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928-679-8070 or email: aterhaar@coconino.az.gov.

Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry, and Technology (CAVIAT) Educational District seeking Governing Board Applicants for Appointment

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry, and Technology (CAVIAT) Education District in Page and Fredonia. Currently, one seat in each district is vacant.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

Application information:

  • Download the application here http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
  • Deadline to submit is November 30 by 5pm
  • Submit by email to aterhaar@coconino.az.gov (live signature original required)
  • Submit by fax to 928-526-1469 (live signature original required)
  • Mail/Drop off Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

An advisory committee may be assembled, consisting of district residents and a current board member to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent VanderWey on the appointments.

For more information, please call the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928-679-8070 or email: aterhaar@coconino.az.gov.

Maine Consolidated School District seeking Governing Board Applicants for Appointment

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to the Maine Consolidated School District Governing Board. Currently, two seats are vacant.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

Application information:

  • Download the application here http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
  • Deadline to submit is November 30 by 5pm
  • Submit by email to aterhaar@coconino.az.gov (live signature original required)
  • Submit by fax to 928-526-1469 (live signature original required)
  • Mail/Drop off Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

An advisory committee may be assembled, consisting of district residents and a current board member to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent VanderWey on the appointments.

For more information, please call the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928-679-8070 or email: aterhaar@coconino.az.gov.

County pays down pension liability, saves nearly $30 million over the next 20 years

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved payments to pension liabilities that will result in a $30 million savings over the next 20 years for county taxpayers. The Board approved a $10 million, one-time payment to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), with funds from the Capital Facilities Fund. Additionally, the Board also approved the use of Jail District Fund Balance to pay an additional $5.5 million contribution to the Arizona Correction Officers Retirement Plan (CORP).

Over the past several decades pensions have been impacted by lower than expected investment returns, unanticipated impacts from benefit increases (DROP and PBI programs) and adjusted actuarial assumptions such as life expectancy and population growth. These impacts have created a pension system that is substantially underfunded. Recent court cases have reinforced the Arizona Constitution language that protects changes to pension benefits. Pension liabilities are essentially a debt that will be paid, if not now, then in the future at a higher cost to taxpayers.

Coconino County adopted a Financial Planning process in 2007 to establish a process to address financial risks and opportunities as investments for the County over a long-term planning horizon. Included in this process is the alignment of mission critical operating costs balanced with recessionary revenue forecasts that create the capacity of one-time funds to address legacy costs such as lagging investment in infrastructure, including facilities, and unfunded pension liabilities.

These payments approved by the Board will result in reduced pension contributions over the next several decades, secure pensions for retired deputies, provide facility infrastructure funding that keeps the Capital Facility fund and Jail District on track for facility needs and saves a projected $15 million over the next 20 years net of the initial payment and estimated interest expense for a facility related debt issue.

As part of the Board’s approval, the related reduced pension contributions will be accumulated to continue providing funding for capital facility needs and could provide the debt service funding for facilities when needed.

“I’m proud that previous Boards and my colleagues on the Board had the political will to adopt a financial planning model to establish a sustainable financial opportunity and to take this innovative and smart approach to pay down the County’s debt while saving future taxpayer dollars,” said Chairman Art Babbott. “We are tackling the PSPRS and CORP issue now and not passing it on to future Boards or generations of taxpayers. This investment, which has been recognized as a financial industry best practice, will reduce our future liability and allow us to use County resources strategically.”

Over the last few years, the Coconino County PSPRS funded status will have increased from 25 percent to 71 percent and the CORP funded status increased from 60 to 95 percent. These current payments and the additional contributions over the last few years provide a cumulative projected net savings of nearly $30 million over the next 20 years, and the reduced contributions will continue many years beyond this projection.

Closures scheduled in conjunction with I-17, I-40 and Beulah Boulevard improvement project

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FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff-area drivers should plan for closures while deck work continues on four Interstate 40 bridges that carry traffic over I-17 and Beulah Boulevard. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to use detour routes and allow extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place:

  • The closure of the ramp from southbound I-17 to eastbound I-40 will remain in place around the clock through Wednesday, October 17. Detour: Use southbound I-17 to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 interchange, then travel north on I-17 to eastbound on I-40.
  • Northbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 p.m. Sunday, October 21, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, and from 10:30 p.m. Monday, October 22, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, October 23. Detour: Travel south to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 interchange, then north on I-17 to Forest Meadows Street and west to Beulah Boulevard.
  • Southbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 23, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, October 24, and from 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, to 5 a.m. Thursday, October 25. Detour: Travel north to Forest Meadows Street, east to I-17 and south onto southbound I-17 to the J.W. Powell/I-17 Interchange, then north on Beulah Boulevard.

Work to repair and replace the decks on the four bridges began eight months ago and is scheduled for completion later this year. Learn more on the project webpage. ADOT advises drivers to slow down in the work zone, follow posted detour routes and use caution around construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

Comments sought on Subdivision Ordinance

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Community Development is seeking public comment on the draft County Subdivision Ordinance. The draft has had input from a citizen advisory group, local design professionals, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

The Subdivision Ordinance regulates the division of land in the County within State Statutes. The draft Subdivision Ordinance addresses the goals of the County Comprehensive Plan with the concept of Integrated Conservation Design which encourages conservation areas and protects environmentally sensitive natural features. The draft Subdivision Ordinance also incentivizes well planned subdivisions and is intended to improve flexibility and clarity in the subdivision development process.

The draft Subdivision Ordinance is available for review and comment at the Community Development website at www.coconino.az.gov/622/Planning-and-Zoning through the end of October 2018. Community Development also invites the public to attend an open house to discuss the draft Subdivision Ordinance from 4 – 5 p.m. Friday, November 16, 2018 at the Community Development conference room, 2500 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, Arizona. Light refreshments will be provided.

Coconino County Treasurer offers remote office hours

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar is offering remote office hours for taxpayers seeking help with their property tax bills. From October 1 – October 30, the Treasurer’s Office will be providing services at the Flagstaff Mall in partnership with the County Recorder’s Office. Hours of operation will be, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. October 1 – October 30.

Property tax notices were sent out in September. The Treasurer’s office mails all property tax notices and collects all property taxes for the state, county, incorporated cities and towns, school districts and special districts located within the county.

Annual property tax notices are issued on a calendar year from January through December. Taxpayers have the option to pay their annual taxes in two equal installments. The first installment is due by November 1, 2018 and the second installment is due by May 1, 2019. Taxpayers can also pay in one full payment by December 31, 2018. Tax bills of $100 or less are to be paid in full by December 31, 2018. Taxpayers can pay their taxes in person, at one of the remote sites, by phone, by mail or online.

Due to lack of parking at the 110 E. Cherry building, a white drop-mail box is located near the flagpole inside the parking lot where payment envelopes may be dropped.

For more information, please call the County Treasurer’s Office at 928-679-8188, toll-free at 877-500-1818 or visit www.coconino.az.gov/treasurer.