The Coconino County Flood Control District board approved a 24‑month lease with Mountain Line for temporary office space at 3773 Casper Drive in Flagstaff, with a total lease cost of $42,294 for the period through Nov. 30, 2027.

County staff and the flood control administrator, Lucinda Andreani, described the lease as a temporary solution while a joint operations center at the public works facility is developed. Andreani said the current modular offices are cramped and impede productivity; the Casper space provides office and conference room access and will allow the district to recruit and staff vacant positions.

Board directors and supervisors pressed staff on the process and timing. Director Geronimo Ontiveros said she was surprised that flood control directors had not been kept in the loop earlier and urged clearer communication on relocations. County Manager Andy Bertelsen acknowledged the communications gap and said staff should have engaged the flood control board earlier.

Director Ontiveros and others noted that while the lease figure on the agenda was $42,294, additional one‑time costs (for items such as a Bizhub copier and associated moving/setup) increase the near‑term fiscal impact; Andreani and management cited a higher combined figure of about $61,374 when ancillary costs are included. Management explained some purchases would be usable long‑term in the new permanent facility and therefore accounted for as investments.

Supervisor Begay moved to approve the lease and Supervisor Horstman seconded. The board approved the lease unanimously after staff committed to better communication and a planned Facilities Master Plan discussion on Dec. 9.

Next steps: Flood Control will move into temporary Casper Drive space while county staff and facilities continue planning a permanent joint operations center at the public works campus. Staff committed to notifying affected directors and scheduling site visits when appropriate.