Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Arizona 911 Grant Agreement between Arizona Department of Administration Office of Grants and Federal Resources and the City of Flagstaff acting as the System Administrator for Coconino County. 
 

The Flagstaff Police Department, serving as the 9-1-1 system administrator for all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Coconino County, has been awarded $497,152.00 in grant funding from the Arizona Department of Administration’s Office of Grants and Federal Resources. This funding covers the full operational costs of the 9-1-1 telephone systems for the county’s PSAPs, which include the Flagstaff Police Department, Williams Police Department, Page Police Department, Grand Canyon National Park Service, and Glen Canyon National Park Service.

Project Name: FY2026 Coconino County 9-1-1 Grant
Cost: $497,152.00
Account Number Budgeted: 001-04-062-6246-2-4211
FY Budgeted Amount: $1,000,000
Grant Funded: 100% funded by the State 9-1-1 Office
Funding Source: Reimbursement - State 9-1-1 Office

The 9-1-1 grant has received City Council approval every year since 2019 to help fund vital emergency communication services.

1.  Approve the Recommended Action – Accept the grant funding from the Arizona Department of Administration, Office of Grants and Federal Resources, in the amount of $497,152.00 to support the FY2026 9-1-1 budget for Coconino County. This option ensures continued regional coordination and state reimbursement for emergency communication system costs.
2.  Decline the Recommended Action – Decline to accept the grant funding. Under this option, the participating Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Coconino County would be required to independently fund their 9-1-1 system operating costs, which may result in significant financial impact to the City of Flagstaff and partner agencies.

The Flagstaff Police Department has been designated by the State 9-1-1 Office as the system administrator for Coconino County’s 9-1-1 services. In this role, the department is responsible for submitting operating costs and call statistics for all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the county, including Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Grand Canyon National Park, and Glen Canyon National Park.
Historically, 9-1-1 telephone bills were mailed directly to the Flagstaff Police Department, where the 9-1-1 Coordinator verified the charges and forwarded the invoices, along with an authorization letter, to the State 9-1-1 Office. These costs were then paid by the state using funds from the Emergency Telecommunication Services Revolving Fund.
In 2018, oversight of the Arizona 9-1-1 program was moved under the Arizona Department of Administration, Office of Grants and Federal Resources. As part of this transition, the state implemented a formal grant program to fund annual 9-1-1 system budgets. Under the new process, system administrators must apply for funding each year to cover operational expenses. Approved funds are used to reimburse PSAPs for eligible costs, ensuring consistent and equitable distribution of resources across the state.
To support regional collaboration and financial sustainability, the City of Flagstaff maintains active Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with the City of Williams, City of Page, Grand Canyon National Park, and Glen Canyon National Park. These agreements, which are valid through 2027, establish that if state funding for the 9-1-1 system were to be discontinued, each agency would assume responsibility for their own 9-1-1 service costs.

This grant directly supports two of the City of Flagstaff’s Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) objectives:

• High Performing Governance - By maintaining centralized coordination of 9-1-1 services through the Flagstaff Police Department, the City ensures efficient use of public resources, regulatory compliance, and strong interagency collaboration. The grant process promotes fiscal accountability, transparency, and equitable distribution of emergency communications funding across all participating agencies in Coconino County.
• Safe and Healthy Community - Reliable 9-1-1 infrastructure is essential for public safety. This funding ensures uninterrupted emergency call-taking and dispatch services across the region, supporting rapid response to emergencies, protection of life and property, and coordinated efforts between local and federal public safety partners.

The continued administration and funding of this grant are critical to delivering responsive, high-quality emergency services to residents and visitors across Coconino County.

This grant aligns with Goal PF.3 of the Flagstaff Regional Plan, which calls for "the coordinated provision of public safety services and infrastructure."
By funding the operational costs of 9-1-1 telephone systems across multiple Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Coconino County, the grant supports a regionally integrated emergency communications system. The Flagstaff Police Department’s role as system administrator ensures that agencies across the region—municipal and federal—receive consistent service delivery, shared infrastructure, and coordinated response capabilities. This enhances the region’s overall resilience and ensures equitable access to critical emergency services for all communities served

This grant supports Health and Safety Strategy HS-3 of the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan, which aims to “ensure community preparedness and equitable emergency response to climate-related and other hazards.”
By funding the core infrastructure of the region’s 9-1-1 telephone systems, the grant enhances the reliability and coordination of emergency communications across Coconino County. This is essential for responding to climate-driven emergencies such as wildfires, extreme weather events, and public health threats. A well-supported, regionally coordinated 9-1-1 system ensures that all communities—especially vulnerable and remote populations—receive timely, equitable emergency response in the face of growing environmental risks.

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