Williams council adopts 2026 Coconino County Hazard Mitigation Plan to preserve grant eligibility

The Williams City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 1467 on July 23, 2026, to adopt the 2026 Coconino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a county-led update required every five years to maintain FEMA mitigation grant eligibility. The resolution authorizes the city's Fire Chief to coordinate any required revisions with County Emergency Management and report changes back to the council without requiring a new adoption.

A Coconino County Emergency Management representative summarized the 18-month update and said the plan identifies 13 natural and man-made hazards and ranks wildland fire as the highest risk. The presenter noted that "every $1 invested in mitigation can save approximately $6 in disaster response and recovery costs," and explained that adoption by participating jurisdictions preserves access to pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding even while FEMA completes its review.

Councilmembers asked about the plan's ability to support post-wildfire flood mitigation. The presenter cited the 2022 Timberline/Wagon Park wildfires near Flagstaff as an example where an approved hazard mitigation plan helped communities become eligible for reimbursement of emergency flood mitigation measures. The plan is funded about 75% by FEMA and 25% by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, with no direct cost to participating municipalities.

Why it matters: adoption keeps Williams eligible for federal mitigation grants tied to hazard planning and sets a roadmap for future actions such as expanded shelter capacity, fuel reduction for wildfire risk, and strengthened floodplain management. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution; the motion was moved by Councilmember Edes and seconded by Councilmember Payne.