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County updates on congressionally directed spending: some awards obligated, Tribal service center awaits USDA release
Summary
County staff reviewed status of congressionally directed spending (CDS) projects: FY23/FY24 awards are largely obligated or in process; the Tribal Nation service center award is awaiting USDA procedural steps (staff reported a possible June release); FY25 requests were not funded under continuing resolutions and were resubmitted for FY26.
Coconino County staff provided an update on congressionally directed spending (CDS) on May 16, reporting that many FY23 and FY24 projects have been obligated or are in active implementation, while some need additional federal steps before funds can be released.
Why it matters: CDS awards can fund infrastructure and public-safety projects at scales the county cannot afford alone. The county’s CD S portfolio includes water and sewer work for Fort Tuthill, Tribal Nation service-center funding, emergency-management enhancements, wildfire-prevention projects delivered through the U.S. Forest Service, and digital-transformation efforts.
Staff briefed supervisors that FY23 and FY24 requests are mostly in place but at different execution stages. The County’s Tribal Nation Service Center appropriation (FY23) requires USDA rural-development procedural approvals; Tom from facilities management told the board USDA indicated in recent outreach that the department expects to release the appropriation, with the county’s contact citing a possible June timeframe but cautioning that further federal steps remain. Parks-and-recreation staff and consulting partners are working with the Army Corps on environmental assessment steps required to start Fort Tuthill water and sewer construction.
Assistant staff and the county’s federal-relations contacts also explained that FY25 CDS requests were not funded because Congress operated under a continuing resolution that precludes new CDS earmarks; county projects submitted for FY25 were resubmitted for FY26 and in some cases adjusted for inflation. Staff said projects previously vetted and supported by senators could be prioritized in a future FY26 appropriations process, subject to Congressional action.
County staff described other project statuses: the digital-transformation appropriation has been largely expended (about 85% spent) and the emergency-management reimbursement grant work is underway, with the county expecting to invoice and seek reimbursement as projects proceed. Supervisors asked staff to pursue follow-up with federal partners and to keep an eye on federal review processes that have created delays.
What’s next: Departments will continue to pursue federal approvals, work with USDA and the Army Corps where required, and seek reimbursements where eligible. Staff will update the board as federal departments complete reviews or release funds.
