Tusayan council adopts Coconino County hazard mitigation plan

The Tusayan Town Council voted July 28 to adopt Resolution No. 2026-07, formally accepting the 2026 Coconino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The motion, made by Council Member Josh Collet and seconded by Vice Mayor Greg Brush, carried with ayes from Mayor Clarinda Vail, Vice Mayor Brush and Collet; Council Members Andrew Aldaz and Elena Villanueva were absent.

Tim Carter, Director of Coconino County Emergency Management, summarized the plan as countywide guidance to identify and prioritize mitigation strategies and to preserve eligibility for federal grant programs. Carter said the Plan provides a practical roadmap for towns, noting an estimated return on investment of roughly "$6 saved in disaster response/recovery for every $1 spent on mitigation." He described the document as "a purposeful look at how bad is bad and how can we make it less bad." The presentation explains hazard rankings and includes an interactive county map that jurisdictions and residents can review online.

Town Manager Clifton and Mayor Vail raised concerns specific to Tusayannoting the presentation listed the town's population as 374 and questioning whether flood risk was understated. Clifton said the town experienced a flood in 2023 that he characterized as a "10-year event" and that the town has adopted a local floodplain under the Tusayan Area Drainage Master Plan that shows greater hazard than older FEMA maps. Carter said the hazard rankings follow FEMA's required matrix, but that the county's interactive mapping and vendor layers can be updated to reflect newer local modeling; he said he would check the population figure in the presentation.

The MJHMP lists priority actions such as improving emergency shelter capabilities, reducing transportation-related risks and emergency access issues, expanding public outreach and preparedness, and pursuing grant funding for mitigation projects. Adoption by the town starts a review path: state completeness review, possible revisions, and then FEMA review and approval. Carter said Coconino County Emergency Management will work with local jurisdictions on any state- or FEMA-requested changes and that plan materials are posted on the county website.

Provenance: The article summarizes discussion and adoption recorded in the council's meeting minutes and the MJHMP presentation (Tim Carter) during the July 28, 2026 special meeting.