People who live in Flagstaff, Page and Fredonia may see a tax increase this fall. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to tax residents to control flooding.
For the last three decades Flagstaff, Page and Fredonia residents were exempt from flood control taxes as those cities managed their own flood plains. But outside legal counsel has recommended the county levy taxes to be in compliance with state law.
Coconino is the only county in the state that doesn't have this tax, said Lucinda Andreani, interim deputy county manager and director of the public works department.
What does this mean for taxpayers? To meet the district's current budget of $2.2 million, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay $54.66 a year. The county board of supervisors could choose to lower or raise that tax.
The money would go to projects like the seed planting and berm building needed after the Schultz Fire and forest thinning to prevent future wildfires.
