Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Page public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
20 issues in taxes budget
Library Board Leadership Turnover
Vice Chair Tracy Salmi is resigning in June due to family health issues, forcing new elections for chair and vice chair and a search for a new board member by July. The board is recruiting, and remote participation by Zoom is possible.
Youth Advisory Commission goals and priorities
Future Youth Advisory Commission meetings will move from Coconino Community College to the PERA Community Building. Residents who attend or watch these meetings should note the new location.
Billing & Operations Software Replacement (NISC)
The aging Cassell software is deteriorating under private-equity ownership, and the board agreed to move to NISC — the industry standard — at roughly $200,000-plus up front and $8,000 a month in support. Full transition will take up to two years and be budgeted next fiscal year.
City Hall Remodel on Hold
The digital sign at City Hall discussed last meeting is shelved for this budget year because city hall itself needs significant renovations — and functioning city hall wins.
Clean external audit
The city got a clean audit: $225 million in net assets, up $18.2 million, no material weaknesses, and clean federal single-audit results. Electric, water, and sewer funds mostly ran healthy margins.
Performance Stipends
The Board was scheduled to discuss and possibly act on performance stipends, which could affect utility employee pay and, indirectly, utility costs.
Canvass of the 2026 Primary Election
The official results are now certified: Bill Diak unseated incumbent Mayor Steven Kidman, and Michael Cody Woods joins returning councilmembers John Kocjan and Kenna Hettinger. Voters also approved a permanent base adjustment to the city's expenditure limitation via Proposition 402.
Consolidated Fee Schedule Update
Updated fees for the library, Para Club, and Horseshoe Bend are headed to publication, but council wants a cheaper and better-defined resident pass for Horseshoe Bend and is still sorting out whether Para Club rates unfairly compete with the Elks Club and other venues.
PUE Budget and Golf Course Expenses
The board wants the city, not the utility, to absorb $140,000–$150,000 a year in golf course irrigation costs carried since the 2012 utility merger. Council indicated the expense is already in the city's proposed budget for tomorrow's adoption.
FY 2027 Library Budget and Electrical Upgrades
The library's 2027 budget is in good shape and includes funding to fix electrical problems that force staff to shut off equipment just to run kitchen appliances. Final approval is expected in June, and staffing stays at full level.
FY 2027 Preliminary Budget Adoption
The draft budget spends about $16 million more than it takes in, dropping fund balances from $84M to $68M — about 19%. Council debated whether that's responsible or too cautious, noting $40.7M of it is one-time capital spending.
State Legislative Update and Rural Funding Risks
Lobbyist Tom Dorn warned the still-unfinished state budget could sweep rural road and water money (HURF, WIFA), while Page seeks $6.6 million for North Lake Powell Boulevard utilities and $3 million for a South Boulevard roundabout.
Assistant City Manager Position
City Manager Marbury proposed a ~$222K assistant city manager to manage his 12 direct reports and handle special projects. Council was split; Roundtree opposed, Farrow supported it. It stays in the budget but comes back for a formal vote next meeting with a job description.
Land Sale Revenue and Buyback Practices
After several high-profile land sales that raised eyebrows about speed and transparency, council agreed to have staff walk everyone through how the process works — with possible improvements down the road.
Lobbyist contract questioned
Councilor Roundtree questioned the value of the $55,000-a-year state lobbyist given a lack of reports; staff noted the $120,000 budget line may be a legacy carryover. Council leaned toward keeping it at $55,000 with tighter reporting.
NDA Rules for Property Sales and Economic Development
Councilor Roundtree wants a formal policy on non-disclosure agreements so employees can't bind the city in secret — a response to transparency concerns, including around the data center deal.
Expenditure Limitation Permanent Base Adjustment
The city's state-imposed spending ceiling is about $42 million, and a power-price spike two years ago nearly triggered a $1.5 million state fine. Resolution 1340-26 raises the ceiling to $62 million and heads to voters this year.
City board training with City Clerk
The city attorney walked the board through Arizona's open meeting law and conflict-of-interest rules — no discussing agenda items among four or more members outside a noticed meeting, and recusal required when a member or family member has a financial stake in a vote.
Vacant council seat appointment process
Letters of interest for the open council seat are due February 19 at 5 p.m.; candidates must be 18+, qualified electors, and one-year Page residents. Per the January 28 process, selection happens in executive session February 25.
Bringing ambulance billing in-house
Finance wants to replace the third-party ambulance biller (which charges 10% of collections) with an in-house clerk, expecting the position to pay for itself within a year; a Councilor suggested interim office space to start sooner.