[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632262,"mediaKeyId","2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758","parentId",2675197,"title","FEMA pause on some reimbursements prompts board legal pre‑authorization and review of federal grants","audioSeconds",6702,"startMs",11199000,"endMs",17901000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758&start=11199&end=17901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758/thumbnail_11199000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632262/Pima-County/Arizona/FEMA-pause-on-some-reimbursements-prompts-board-legal-preauthorization-and-review-of-federal-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632262-7bb5164152dbb6654b39fd3338840144/orig.mp4?Expires=1775219863&Signature=i-Dc1-OF3ULo~gEeY7bdRX05~b~8L7VV~UFraXSty4-zTXrPtMpJnDso3sGs3UDGFxlw4A~fFvAfGhI2swJYExMyBGyTJ0WuPGRTlCaHq-YPYtlilkVvTensoKEagBmM7Y0~Df2OL1l0Sx9Gq48Ttyhne7sIFcc7cYxFM1SH5YqHmoEvn7MLnypIQw8AYBnlaB1sxGgdyp4PCJGC5Uib7WaTahdS9Uyyua92pte2dnK~n3S5cHaudxybQ1OXbHsA20Dz8HG60r6X9WxyvDZplcy730ItKwvdkm5xYLso7OLHG6wN76gSCw73TMfgtsUDGYDfZISSxFmEV7LiA26IGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pima County","date","2025-03-18T21:42:52.263Z","article","Pima County leaders told the Board of Supervisors on March 31 that some federal reimbursements the county expected have been paused, and the board took two administrative steps — including pre‑authorizing limited legal action — while staff conduct a deeper review.

What county staff told the board

Nancy Davis, the county’s federal/state grants lead, told the board that a large share of FY24 grant expenditures are associated with congressional pandemic and emergency programs and related awards. She said county audited FY24 expenditures show two groupings of concern: about $105 million (roughly 67% of audited FY24 grant spending by the county) tied to awards such as Emergency Rental Assistance, emergency food and shelter programs and FEMA shelter and services, and another roughly $52 million (about 33% of audited FY24 grants) that are block‑grant style, state‑pass‑through funds for health, workforce and housing programs.

Davis said the county had received a FEMA letter notifying it of a temporary pause in reimbursement for a FEMA shelter and services award. She said the county had been reimbursed about $3 million and was expecting an additional $10 million that was paused pending federal review. County staff said staff are matching audited FY24 expenditures to the federal Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers as a next step to identify programs most at risk.

Board actions and legal posture

- Executive session: The board met in executive session to discuss the FEMA letter and related federal legal matters.

- Pre‑authorization for legal action: The county attorney sought and the board approved pre‑authorization to pursue legal remedies up to, but not including, initiating or joining litigation without further board approval. That pre‑authorization was approved 3–1, with Supervisor Christie opposed. County Attorney Brown explained the action would allow staff and counsel to prepare options and respond quickly if federal actions require it.

- Follow‑up item: In executive session the board discussed options and ultimately proceeded as recommended by county counsel and administration; subsequent open‑session items recorded the board’s approvals.

Community and public reaction

Members of the public at the meeting urged the board to fully account for federal funds, asked for details on expenditures and contested the county’s role in shelter operations and use of NGO partners; comments cited a FEMA figure of about $51 million being withheld and urged transparency. County staff acknowledged the public concern and said they were building a program‑by‑program accounting tied to audited FY24 expenditures and would coordinate with departments and grant officers.

Why this matters

A pause in federal reimbursements can expose counties to cash‑flow pressures and potential recoupment (clawbacks) if federal auditors later determine funds were not eligible for reimbursement. Staff said they are prioritizing review of grants that are reimbursement‑based and are meeting with federal agencies to clarify status and next steps.

Next steps

County staff will continue cross‑walks of audited FY24 spending against federal CFDA numbers, coordinate with federal agency liaisons, and return recommended next steps and potential fiscal impacts to the board. The pre‑authorization allows counsel to prepare legal options for board consideration if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pima County officials told the Board of Supervisors on March 31 that some federal reimbursements tied to emergency sheltering and other grant programs have been paused, and the board pre‑authorized legal preparations while staff review grant spending.","taxTitle","Pima County, Arizona","taxId",2570,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632277,"Pima County adopts 2025 Floodplain Management Plan, sets action agenda for next five years",1566,5377000,6943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758&start=5377&end=6943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758/thumbnail_5377000.jpg","/articles/6632277/Pima-County/Arizona/Pima-County-adopts-2025-Floodplain-Management-Plan-sets-action-agenda-for-next-five-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632277-a9f00851149b462ad9d03092e9da5e44/orig.mp4?Expires=1775219863&Signature=kPSQnA3TcrciMSkl~Oz9ErQ4DqP1zcT0w7-Ga1ckkVoJC~HfrMI6njYOym-GnS3f1Wba~c8ZIT~TTi6OsPgSDhOvSXiCvUQjcqhdmNLM3AFFL8o8XAse2fvDgGdtRZspvJjgz-jYFzTxa2H7Aiv0cL1gMqisMxQt4swteNtpmmExAa2OeB8Lmc6~xrLtzgsWvcix2Ee2qBx8zFn11jq6WBOIDgA8OfvvAT4anvlAOVqwo~ooj5BPCIIaWOBOzGvyGsTYSRKoxwOfhWFybPU7RMRtsMMYQEIk8cO0wEtl0LCGoCajT6N4F6zo0Y06onLENBS8hYxllGfMYlm6-ZfAdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pima County supervisors voted unanimously March 31 to approve a new county floodplain management plan intended to guide flood-risk reduction and stormwater planning for 2025–2030.

The plan — described to the board as a near-1,000-page document and an update of the county’s 2020 plan — compiles hazard assessments, outreach findings and a five‑year action plan that county staff and community stakeholders developed over the last year. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan 5–0.

County officials said the update is designed as a programmatic roadmap rather than immediate rulemaking. Greg Sachs, the county’s environmental planner, told the board the plan “follows FEMA’s guidance on the National Flood Insurance Program” and that it supports Pima County’s high Community Rating System standing; “Pima County is in the top 0.3 in The United States. So anyone buying flood insurance in the county gets a 40% discount,” he said.

Why it matters: the plan is intended to coordinate technical work, capital projects and outreach across jurisdictions and neighborhoods that face flood risk and to reduce long‑term costs for residents and insurance policyholders. It also seeks to direct future rulemaking and capital spending — both of which would require separate formal processes and public review.

Key elements and figures

- Scope and timing: The plan covers countywide floodplain issues for 2025–2030 and also serves as the county’s statutory report of activities over the prior five years, staff said. Sachs described the plan document as comprehensive and process‑oriented.

- Action plan: The draft includes roughly 61 programs and 108 discrete projects identified by the planning committee, county staff said. Projects range from capital improvements to neighborhood‑scale stormwater reuse and outreach programs.

- New goals emphasized by the planning committee include increased beneficial use of stormwater (regional recharge and urban green spaces), equitable access to flood‑mitigation services, and prioritizing neighborhood projects in vulnerable and underserved areas.

- Engagement and sources: County staff said the update was guided by an open planning committee established by board resolution in 2019, extensive stakeholder meetings and a mailed survey to more than 30,000 floodplain residents. The committee held multiple public meetings and coordinated input from neighborhood associations and advisory bodies.

What the plan does — and does not — do

- Not a rule change: Staff emphasized to the board that adoption of the plan itself is not rulemaking and is not a capital program. Any recommendations that require new rules or funding would follow the separate statutory rule‑making and budgeting processes, with additional outreach and board review.

- Implementation pipeline: Some items in the plan are already linked to capital projects tracked by the county. Staff said capital project proposals and changes would come through the county’s capital improvement programming process and be published for review before funding decisions.

Board reaction and follow‑up

Supervisors acknowledged the breadth of the effort and asked staff to continue outreach to organizations and neighborhoods not yet heard from. Supervisor Steve Christie asked that groups such as the Verde Valley Association be included in future outreach; staff said the plan will be treated as a living document and can be updated annually.

Director remarks and next steps

Director Shep and Sachs told the board the plan grew from five years of work and stakeholder engagement; adoption provides a common framework for the district’s projects and outreach through 2030. The board voted 5–0 to approve the plan and directed staff to continue stakeholder engagement and to return with related rule or capital proposals through the normal public processes.

Ending note

County staff said the floodplain plan will be published on the county website and that the department will take periodic “snapshots” of the plan as projects and priorities are updated. Staff also reiterated that any new standards or regulations that emerge from the plan will go through formal rulemaking and additional public input.","Pima County supervisors voted unanimously March 31 to approve a new county floodplain management plan intended to guide flood mitigation, outreach and stormwater planning for 2025–2030.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632267,"Board hears FY26 capital improvement overview; tentative requests top $200 million amid budget shortfall",531,9895000,10426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758&start=9895&end=10426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758/thumbnail_9895000.jpg","/articles/6632267/Pima-County/Arizona/Board-hears-FY26-capital-improvement-overview-tentative-requests-top-200-million-amid-budget-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632267-06c724daa4259ea8e214964fd8096a58/orig.mp4?Expires=1775219863&Signature=MDI9hc3DarlhEjlxqpXl-9cCxZm668-oJwzZykHgl0ebdt-lYyI~BjsCQJb2bsxsWidBgFOX~4Jhe-Z75q~cbztO1E4G-QMr93exDOhyrnv4zmbBRqIZHNQS0XhpY9eexu4AxY16Ls9RmUramQFY~F-ULHTPQ~0O7XSx7LcG5eZN0tLkIh3wpVIa89s0bn4clasW0SkmgzjUYiGRAOJLCXFY8zo2CKYZeGKtE94~U7xtGWktk-NnY4xN88TOhvppKAGjz85u5VY074NWCXdET5r54ORN30nylMZWvZLCKjs44DjxPhbstVFNBHfHZo1sXWBeg66VujIBQny14mzw7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pima County officials presented the Board of Supervisors on March 31 with the county’s updated Integrated Infrastructure Plan (IIP) and a tentative capital improvement program (CIP) that will be refined before final adoption in June.

What staff presented

Project Design and Construction director Rod Lane and finance staff described a live IIP that collects 10‑year needs across county departments and feeds a five‑year CIP and the one‑year budget that the board will consider. The county took a snapshot of projects and funding requests for FY26 that will be refined before the tentative budget is published in April.

Key figures and priorities

- FY26 tentative request: staff said departments requested a little more than $200 million for capital projects in FY26.

- Five‑year total: staff presented a five‑year CIP total of just north of $900 million.

- Major program drivers: wastewater capital needs were the largest single departmental component in the FY26 requests (staff cited roughly $63 million in wastewater requests). Facilities maintenance and court facility improvements, transportation and flood‑control projects were also among the largest line items.

- Funding snapshot for FY26: staff outlined major funding sources that would fund the tentative CIP, including department revenues (notably wastewater), grants, previously issued certificates of participation and flood‑control funding. Presentation slides listed example figures such as grants at about $29.2 million and certificates of participation at roughly $21 million; flood control funding appeared in the mid‑teens of millions for FY26 on staff slides.

Budgetary context

County Administrator Lesher told the board staff continues to reconcile capital requests with operating needs and revenues. She said the county faces an operating gap: if the board were to carry the FY25 base forward without change, staff estimate the county would be approximately $20 million short of fully funding the coming year’s operations (a working figure to be refined as staff continue budget work).

Reserves and PAYGO

Lesher and finance staff discussed the board reserve policy. She said reducing the general‑fund reserve from 17 percent to 15 percent would provide roughly $12.2 million of one‑time budget flexibility; staff said they were consulting bond counsel about any potential rating impact before recommending an adjustment. Staff also reviewed how PAYGO (pay‑as‑you‑go) programming is calculated and said the board can consider various PAYGO splits among priority categories as part of budget development.

Board direction and next steps

Supervisors requested additional detail: how CIP requests map to the board’s stated budget priority areas, which projects could be deferred to reduce near‑term spending, and more granularity on wastewater and sheriff’s program projections. Several supervisors requested department‑level briefings with staff to review items in detail.

Staff said they expect to produce a first draft of a balanced budget view and to provide follow‑up analyses (including reserve scenarios and PAYGO modeling) ahead of the board’s April meetings and the April release of the tentative budget documents.

Why it matters

The IIP and CIP provide the framework for multi‑year capital decisions — roads, wastewater, courts, flood control and facilities — that translate into contracts, operating impacts and future financing. With multiple large project requests and an operating gap noted by staff, the board must weigh capital priorities against current operating needs and reserves as it finalizes the FY26 budget in coming months.","Pima County staff presented an updated Integrated Infrastructure Plan and tentative fiscal‑year 2026 capital improvement program. Departments requested just over $200 million for FY26 and about $900 million over five years; county leaders warned of an overall operating shortfall of roughly $20 million and discussed reserves and PAYGO options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632272,"Pima County directs staff to craft mobile‑vaccination plan after measles brief; health officials seek school outreach",1792,7269000,9061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758&start=7269&end=9061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675197-d8becbf5d5ae3cf42ec4e01db4714758/thumbnail_7269000.jpg","/articles/6632272/Pima-County/Arizona/Pima-County-directs-staff-to-craft-mobilevaccination-plan-after-measles-brief-health-officials-seek-school-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632272-c5dabf020ce5895eb5d751e4da0a761f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775219863&Signature=cKArRjQLa0o5fmWYbu5uQg8EYWp0eCNl4y~tnovBxHTtNcCMBPHVjEWY3mpbeBFZArMVOnNsAyWr2~BLBDRQemT0C-z5s2Ak80HKbqnE~CdgSOkRAoa5aoBKXFwOjfRUX-dvkqnpgMKzTegP8ZRpesBciICvZGYDEiFdAgvV672S8UXZU6hQANJp-GGD8J~joyL0JWPbhgMF1MWsULhwcaqxQjiwuYtCAbbHk2juzuIN-5CKNqco72Teg~QlblDWz6t4y6n1VKYu-sN4LmGwJBJPNe83QY-s9cXk92DuLTRTADnv3NeL86CHpXpwPPuyUNHvpTUTUC60sDvKUyaGIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pima County supervisors on March 31 directed county administration and the Health Department to craft a plan — due to the board in 90 days — to deploy mobile vaccination units to schools that report measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage below 95 percent.

Supervisor Matt Hines introduced the item after a Health Department presentation that warned of a rise in U.S. measles cases and described local kindergarten immunization rates that fall short of the 95 percent level public‑health officials say is needed for community protection.

What county health officials said

Dr. Cullen, Pima County’s public‑health official, told the board there were no reported local cases in 2025; the last Pima County case dated to 2019. She said the U.S. had seen multiple outbreaks and that recent national totals were in the low hundreds — and noted two recent deaths in Texas tied to a recent outbreak.

“The best way to protect against measles is vaccination,” Dr. Cullen said, and described targeted steps the health department plans to take: pushing guidance to health‑care providers, distributing letters and guidance in English and Spanish to K–12 schools and childcare centers, and offering on‑site mobile clinics where schools request them.

Key data and staff guidance

- Local coverage: Supervisor Hines told the board the county’s kindergarten MMR coverage averages about 93.7 percent; the board noted that many schools therefore fall below the 95 percent threshold public‑health officials recommend.

- National context: Dr. Cullen summarized U.S. outbreak figures shared with the board and said the department has pushed measles preparedness guidance to local providers and conducted an internal measles preparedness drill in February.

- Strategy: Dr. Cullen said the health department will proactively offer mobile vaccination clinics to any school listed by the state as below the 95 percent threshold. Parental consent is required for pediatric vaccination; clinics can use a standard consent form that families can return in advance or bring on the day of service. The county’s clinics also provide routine immunizations for children regardless of insurance status through the federal Vaccines for Children program.

Board action

Supervisor Hines moved a directive that county administration work with Dr. Cullen and the Health Department to prepare a plan to coordinate mobile vaccination units to schools that request them and to return to the board within 90 days with a timeline and cost estimate; the motion was seconded and adopted 5–0.

What staff will report back

The board asked administration and the health department to return in 90 days with a plan that includes: a list of schools identified as below 95 percent MMR coverage, the cost and logistics of mobile clinic deployment, whether other vaccinations (such as influenza) could be included, and how the program would be funded and sustained.

Why this matters

Public‑health experts and supervisors cited measles’ high contagiousness and the public‑health goal of 95 percent coverage to preserve community protection. County staff said mobile units and targeted school outreach are intended to make vaccination easier for families and to increase protection among children entering congregate settings such as kindergarten.

Next steps

County administration and the Health Department will deliver the requested plan and cost estimate to the Board of Supervisors within 90 days. The board can then consider specific funding or pilot details for the next school year.","After a health department update on rising U.S. measles outbreaks and local immunization gaps, the Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously directed county administration to return in 90 days with a plan to deploy mobile vaccination units to schools with MMR coverage below 95% and to outline costs and logistics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

FEMA pause on some reimbursements prompts board legal pre‑authorization and review of federal grants

Pima County adopts 2025 Floodplain Management Plan, sets action agenda for next five years

Board hears FY26 capital improvement overview; tentative requests top $200 million amid budget shortfall

Pima County directs staff to craft mobile‑vaccination plan after measles brief; health officials seek school outreach