Take a Closer Look at Your City: Ways to Engage

This month, I’m sharing information about how to take a closer look at some of the City of Flagstaff’s work and stay informed. I’m providing links at the end, and I encourage you to take a deeper dive.

Recently, I went on a ride-along with Flagstaff Police Officer Diaz. This was my second ride-along with the Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) since being elected. I enjoy getting an up-close look at the work of the city’s staff and learning more about our community. Our first task was to escort the Jim Thomson School of Piping and Drumming on a short march from Wheeler Park to Leroux Street. We spent the next four hours back on his regular shift and spent some time at Flagstaff Shelter Service’s emergency shelter where staff gave me a tour. Officer Díaz is obviously well-known and respected by the shelter’s staff and clients as many warmly greeted him and gave him their life updates. I can see why he’s well-liked—he’s such a caring and professional member of FPD.

Several weeks ago, I accompanied city trash and recycling supervisors on two routes: commercial trash and residential recycling pick up. This was a full day, 5AM to 3PM and included trips to the recycling drop off facility (MRF) and the landfill. I enjoyed our conversations about challenges of the work and ways the city’s Public Works Division is tackling them. I saw quite a bit of contaminated recycling, indicating that the city needs to redouble our efforts to inform the public about what is recyclable. Many thanks to supervisors Terry McCormick and Donnie Jones for giving me a glimpse into this important work.

By the time you’re reading this, I will have spent time in a Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) station—also my second time since being elected—and possibly riding along on a call. Regardless, I enjoy talking to fire personnel about their work, their challenges, and generally getting to know them better.

Water Services is offering a Citizens’ Water Academy beginning September 1 to October 27, Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30PM. Participants will tour water infrastructure and learn from the city’s water professions. I’ve taken multiple tours of the water treatment plant and the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant, and I learn something new each time. This academy will also help residents understand Flagstaff’s water future and conservation. I wish I could attend this, but alas, my Tuesday evenings are for city council meetings.

After getting to know staff throughout the city and getting an up-close look at their work, I can confidently say that Flagstaff is lucky to have the dedicated, hard-working professionals who possess advanced knowledge of the areas in which they work. I encourage you to dig in and find out more.

I’m always available to Flagstaff residents via email.

A great overall site for updates on projects and opportunities to give your feedback is at Flagstaff Connect.

For the latest info on changes to residential trash or recycling schedules, sign up for the public works newsletter.

For more information about the water academy and the work of the water services division, sign up for their newsletter.

To report a concern about any city service, use the form.

Public Safety

To request a ride along with the FPD, call Deputy Chief Collin Seay at 928-679-4083 or stop in at the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility front desk area at 911 E. Sawmill Rd.

To request a ride along with the FFD, visit this site or call Noelle in the fire administration office at 928-213-2500.

Important: Flagstaff voters are being asked to vote on two public safety measures, Propositions 404 and 405 in the November general election. One is a small sales tax and the other is a bond—the following list is not all inclusive—the sales tax will allow the city to hire additional fire personnel (all-risk, wildland, EMT-certified firefighters); additional police personnel (sworn officers, dispatchers, police aides, evidence technicians); emergency management personnel; aircraft rescue personnel; plus safety equipment and supplies. The bond will allow the city to purchase high-dollar wildland fire equipment, emergency medical equipment, build the wildland fire training facility and a new fire station; upgrade dispatch technology and emergency vehicle fleet. You’ll have many opportunities to get more information, but here are some helpful resources.

To learn about the Citizens’ Public Safety Committee’s work, this is the group that met multiple times a month for six months to analyze the city’s public safety needs, funding mechanisms, and city budget, and to get details on what Propositions 404 and 405 will help to fund, visit this site.

To hear directly from leaders in fire, police, emergency management, and airport rescue, join me at my next Coffee with the Mayor at Mayan Winds Coffee at 2144 N Fourth St. on Thurs., Sept. 24 from 8 to 9:30AM.

This column originally appeared in the August 2026 edition of the Flagstaff Business News.