During Globe City Council's Jan. 14 meeting, several members of city staff provided a comprehensive update on recovery and mitigation from the September 2025 flood. The presentations outlined topics including Globe’s current funding status with agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Arizona’s Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), recovery timelines, and next steps for reducing future flood risk.
Speaking first, City of Globe Grants Manager Connie Callaway first clarified that a FEMA declaration is a federal declaration, not a presidential declaration — although the president would have to sign it. She underscored that it is a FEMA committee at the federal level that makes these determinations, and not the president himself.
Callaway then explained the differences between state and federal disaster assistance. Although Globe has qualified for state-level assistance through Arizona’s disaster program, it was denied a federal FEMA declaration. As a result, the reimbursement that the city can receive for qualifying public infrastructure projects will be 75% (through state DEMA funds), rather than the 90% that would have been available under a federal declaration.
In effect, the denial of the FEMA declaration means Globe loses some funding that would have gone to infrastructure.
The denial of a FEMA disaster declaration also limits access to certain programs for residents and businesses, including federal buyout options. However, state-level assistance and Small Business Administration programs remain available.
The state is appealing the FEMA denial on Globe’s behalf. City Manager Paul Jepson acknowledged that reversals are uncommon, but a chance does exist.
“It’s not normal, or not common, that they overturn this, but we still have a chance. Fingers crossed.” — Paul Jepson, Globe City Manager
Globe Fire Chief Gary Robinson discussed two different deadlines relating to cost reimbursement that the city recently faced.
The first was for the required 60-day damage assessment, due on Dec. 28, to DEMA. This assessment thoroughly documents damage to public infrastructure, and covers 116 projects across multiple geographic areas, with an estimated total value of roughly $96 million. The 60 days refers to the fact that Globe staff had to submit the assessment within 60 days from the city’s application for public assistance.
Chief Robinson emphasized that the $96 million figure reflects documented damage, not planned spending.
“Obviously we do not have and do not intend to spend $96 million,” Chief Robinson said.
He explained that disaster funding is strictly reimbursable, meaning the city has to spend funds first and only then can seek partial reimbursement.
The city will prioritize projects based on urgency, available cash flow, and eligibility. In order to apply for reimbursement, work will have to be completed within a year from the date of the flood.
However, Chief Robinson pointed out that the reimbursement process from DEMA is slow and could take years.
Chief Robinson also discussed the city’s application to the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection program, which targets emergency mitigation in waterways, such as sediment removal. This was the second deadline that the city had to meet, on Jan. 8.
This program allows for faster reimbursement and phased work, making it an important tool for addressing sediment buildup and instability in Pinal Creek. Work has to be completed within 220 days from the time the project is approved.
Floodwaters deposited significant sediment — up to eight feet in some areas — which dramatically reduced the creek’s capacity and thereby increased the risk of future flooding. The immediate priority is sediment removal to restore flow capacity, followed by bank stabilization where feasible.
Engineering and construction will proceed in parallel under a construction manager-at-risk model. Jepson said the city was starting these projects that night via contracts that will be brought up for approval later in the evening.
Globe Finance Manager Dani Beathard said the approximate cost for the NRCS program is a total of $22 million, but the City of Globe will receive reimbursement for 75% of that amount (or potentially 90%, if a FEMA declaration is made). In addition, the project will be phased, which will help on the financial end.
The city is currently facing about $1.2 million in costs for engineering, and eventually will need to find around $5 million to complete all the work that is needed.
Jepson listed numerous funding avenues that will be explored, including the possibility of a waiver through NRCS that would reduce the city’s match from 25% to 10%. Also, Arizona Rep. Walt Blackman is sponsoring a bill at the state level that would bring $25 million to the county for flood relief, and some of those dollars would come to Globe.
Initial “seed money” of $150,000 has already been allocated so engineering and early work can get started, and reimbursements are expected to replenish those funds as projects progress. Beathard said reimbursements will take about 30 days.
Travis Ashbaugh, Globe’s Assistant Public Works Planning Director, explained that the city has three contracts coming up under the NRCS funding, two of which would be on the agenda later that night. These two contracts are with Civiltec Engineering, which has worked extensively on flood projects in Coconino County.
The first contract involves the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) procurement process, and authorizes Civiltec to provide CMAR process assistance, including helping the city coordinate procurement, cost development, and technical planning. The second contract covers full engineering services, including design work related to sediment removal and creek stabilization.
The third contract will be for the actual CMAR construction manager. All three contracts will likely be done through a cooperative state contract.
Chris Dusza, Vice President of Civiltech, is also Principal Engineer in Charge and the company’s representative for projects in Arizona. He discussed the scope of work of the project, including the removal of some 200,000 cubic feet of sediment, as well as bank stabilization.
“The most important thing we want to do right now is make sure that we get that creek cleaned out and give it some capacity, including at the bridges and culverts. Get those all cleaned out and opened back up.” — Chris Dusza, Vice President of Civiltec Engineering
Melissa Steele, Globe’s Economic Development Manager, discussed the need to inform residents about how to work with the city so creek work can be completed. She pointed out that the city owns only about 10% to 15% of the creek within city limits, so for 85% to 90% of the creek, the city will need property owners to allow access.
The process involves the city obtaining various documents from property owners, including the following:
Jepson assured that City of Globe staff, and not outside contractors, will be contacting and communicating with residents.
Public Works Director John Angulo said much of the area belongs to the railroad, and the city will be meeting with them as well.
Discussing the broader infrastructure impacts and recovery actions due to the flooding, Angulo focused on sewer system repairs already completed, bridge and roadway damage assessments, and potential additional funding sources. He said $4.2 million has already been requested for the Haskins bridge replacement, and the city has also applied for funds for the Yuma bridge.
Angulo pointed out that multiple washes overflowed during the flood and that mitigation planning must address the entire drainage system, not just Pinal Creek.
“This is the biggest fear that I think everyone has, that the creek is higher than it was in August. It needs to come back down, or we’re going to see a repeat of this. So, this is number one priority.” — Paul Jepson, Globe City Manager
Battalion Chief Kendall Cormack of Globe Fire Department discussed debris management challenges, including flood debris and displaced propane tanks. He explained that reimbursement requirements for this work are complex and documentation-intensive, and one challenge is in vetting vendors. He pointed out that many of these companies are dishonest and come in after disasters to prey on communities, so careful due diligence is necessary.
Jepson said staff are also evaluating whether it would make sense to complete some debris removal without seeking reimbursement, given the costs, timing issues, and administrative burdens involved in seeking reimbursement.
Speaking last, Jepson discussed the impact on growth projects that the city had planned prior to the flooding and is still pursuing. Funding for the new fire station will go ahead but is being pushed back to August or September. The purchase of the new ladder truck is expected to happen without disruption.
Other projects that Jepson expects will go on without disruption are the Michaelson Building renovation project, the Jesse Hayes sidewalk project, the Safe Streets grant, and the Haven Building project.
The fairgrounds water line project has been disrupted due to staffing changes at the Army Corps, and the McCormick Tunnel project has been affected by federal funding cuts.
Jepson pointed out that the City of Globe has a flood recovery website that serves as a central repository of information, and all the documents discussed during this meeting will be available to the public there.
United Fund Community Outreach Manager Susan Guerrero provided an update on the residential portion of the local flood relief program.
One piece of good news is that the original $4,500 per-household assistance cap has been significantly increased.
Guerrero explained that the initial cap was set early in the response, before the scope of damage and the fund’s fundraising capacity were fully known. With fundraising now largely complete, the program has expanded significantly, and the limit has been increased to $30,000 per household.
Guerrero emphasized that all assistance remains restricted to households directly impacted by floodwaters.
“No one else is helping us. It’s up to us to start, and we’re going to make mistakes. It’s not that we don’t know what we’re doing. We’ve never faced this before. And so, using local funding, local efforts, we’re learning as we go. Give these people some credit.” — Councilman Mariano Gonzalez, District 5
The residential program offers a broad range of support options. These include payments toward licensed contractor invoices for home repairs, vouchers for building materials and flooring, rental and mortgage assistance of up to $4,500, utility assistance, and laundry vouchers for residents whose washers and dryers were damaged.
New components of the program include assistance for furniture and essential household replacements, and closing cost or down payment assistance of up to $5,500 for residents who are unable to return to their homes and must relocate.
Guerrero will be speaking before the council again at the next meeting to provide further information about the flood relief program, including both the residential and business sides.
See our coverage of the second half of this meeting here.
To watch this meeting online, click here.
To view documents related to this meeting, click here.
Full minutes can be found by visiting: https://www.globeaz.gov
Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton (District 4), and Council members Freddy Rios (District 1), Mike Pastor (District 2), Jesse Leetham (District 3), Mariano Gonzalez (District 5), and Fernando Shipley (District 6).
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