The Gila County Board of Supervisors learned during their July 7 meeting that, for the second time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration related to last fall’s flooding.
The supervisors also heard a lengthy presentation from the County Supervisors Association of Arizona about activities during the recent session, including successes in securing flood-related funds.
FEMA denies disaster declaration again, but SBA loans available through tribal disaster declaration
County Manager Michael O'Driscoll informed the supervisors that FEMA has denied Arizona's request for a federal disaster declaration related to flooding in Globe, Miami and Gila County for a second time.
O'Driscoll said he did not expect another appeal.
"I'm disappointed in FEMA," O'Driscoll said. "I think we rose to the level of the fiscal $13 million in the damage done across Miami, Globe and Gila County."
Earlier in the meeting, however, a representative of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery pointed out that businesses and nonprofit organizations in Gila County are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans because the county borders the San Carlos Apache Tribe, which recently did receive a federal disaster declaration.
According to the SBA, eligible businesses and agricultural cooperatives may apply for loans at a 4% interest rate, and nonprofits may qualify for loans at 3.625%. Loans of up to $2 million are available for expenses including payroll, inventory, rent and utilities, with terms of up to 30 years and no payments or interest during the first year. Applications must be submitted by March 27.
County avoids costly state budget shifts
During Arizona's most recent legislative session, Gila County avoided an estimated $850,000 in state cost shifts, secured $10 million in flood recovery funding, and saw two county-sponsored bills advance, according to a presentation by Craig Sullivan, executive director of the County Supervisors Association of Arizona.
The CSA represents Arizona's 15 counties before the Legislature and coordinates research, policy analysis and advocacy on issues affecting county government.
Sullivan said one of the association's highest priorities this year was protecting counties from proposed state budget changes that would have shifted costs to local governments.
One early version of the state budget would have reduced or eliminated funding for several county programs, including probation funding and state pass-through payments. If those proposals had been adopted, they would have cost Gila County an estimated $850,000 over the next three years. The proposed reductions were ultimately removed from the final budget.
Many of the state's funding decisions involve programs that counties are required by law to administer, making it important for the county to receive state support whenever possible.
"The state legislature passes a lot of laws, and it often costs your taxpayers money here locally," Sullivan said. "The state's not doing it at the state level. They're causing you to do it."
Sullivan also highlighted several budget items that directly benefited Gila County, including $10 million in one-time state funding to assist the county's flood recovery efforts.
"We were thrilled," Sullivan said. "It's a testament to the good work that you and your team did ... to bring in the Gila County local flood aid."
He noted that the appropriation had been far from certain because of a tight state budget and competing funding priorities.
The association also worked with state officials to revise calculations for county contributions to Arizona's long-term care system, reducing projected costs to counties statewide by about $4 million. Sullivan estimated that the adjustment saved Gila County approximately $70,000.
In addition to budget issues, Sullivan highlighted two pieces of legislation that originated in Gila County and were approved during the legislative session.
One measure addresses county property-abatement liens used when local governments clean up problem properties, while the other concerns cesspool remediation.
"Those were problems you all brought into our process," Sullivan told the board. "They were endorsed by your colleagues. We were proud to work on them."
Sullivan said the association encourages counties to identify local issues that may warrant statewide legislative solutions.
"We're always looking for ideas from you on how we can serve you," he said.
Much of the association's work involves reviewing legislation that could affect county operations.
This year, more than 2,000 bills were introduced in the Arizona Legislature. The association reviewed measures affecting county government and formally took positions on 63 bills. CSA staff testified before legislative committees dozens of times.
Among the issues receiving significant attention this year were proposals that would have reduced local authority over planning and zoning decisions involving projects such as data centers, renewable energy facilities and thermal energy developments.
Sullivan said the association argued that local governments are best positioned to balance development with community concerns.
"Our view has always been that the local input matters and that local processes are a good thing," he said.
Most of those proposals were either defeated by the Legislature or vetoed by the governor, although Sullivan expects similar measures to return in future sessions.
The presentation also touched on new laws approved this year, including changes affecting public notices and new state financing mechanisms intended to support infrastructure development. Sullivan said the association is preparing guidance to help counties implement legislation that takes effect Sept. 12.
Looking ahead, Sullivan said the organization has already begun developing priorities for the next legislative session and invited counties to propose additional legislation based on local needs.
"We're doing it all again," he said. "When you find problems in your county that you want to try to solve through our forum, we welcome it."
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