Payson council adopts 2025 legislative priorities, highlights wildfire mitigation funding
Loading...
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 3433 setting Payson's 2025 legislative priorities — including wildfire mitigation, local revenue protection, housing stability and public safety — and authorized town representatives to speak in support of bills that match the priorities. Vote was 7–0.
The Payson Common Council on Feb. 12 adopted Resolution 3433 to set the town's legislative priorities for 2025, focusing on wildfire mitigation, protection of local revenue, housing stability and strengthening local decision-making authority.
Management analyst Hannah Laskin presented the League of Arizona Cities and Towns municipal policy statement and noted dozens of bills had been introduced this session. Fire leadership advised council of two bills of particular interest: HB 2400 (a legislator-initiated earmark to support fuels mitigation, described in staff materials as anticipated to direct funds for Payson's mitigation) and separate legislation addressing electric-utility wildfire risk that chiefs said merits local input to protect public safety.
Chief (fire) briefed council on HB 2400 and asked the town to sign in or otherwise communicate support when appropriate; staff said adoption would authorize town officials, including the fire chief, to speak with legislators on the record in support or in opposition to bills that affect the town. Council approved the resolution, 7–0.
Why it matters: Several bills this session could affect Payson's mitigation funding, emergency planning and utilities regulation. Adopting local priorities authorizes staff and council-designated officials to speak with legislators and sign in on bills on behalf of the town.
What's next: Staff will brief the council as bills move through committee and coordinate with Gila County and regional partners on requests for earmarked mitigation funding.
