The Flagstaff City Council convened for the second day of its budget retreat on April 25, 2025, focusing on enhancements to downtown services and funding strategies. The discussions centered around potential increases in service fees to generate revenue for the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) and improve local amenities.

Council members explored various fee increase options, including a proposed 50-cent increase that could yield approximately $294,000 for the DBA. A more substantial 75-cent increase could generate around $440,000, while a variable rate structure—50 cents from Monday to Thursday and 75 cents from Friday to Sunday—was estimated to bring in about $380,000. The latter option was noted for its potential to minimize losses, as it would likely attract more local visitors during weekdays.

The DBA had previously requested funding of half a million dollars to enhance downtown services, but the council sought a clearer breakdown of costs associated with this request. It was noted that a third-party service provider, Block by Block, could be engaged to deliver these enhancements. Their experience in various climates, including both snowy and desert conditions, was highlighted as beneficial for Flagstaff.

In addition to the service enhancements, the council discussed reallocating funds from existing beautification programs to support downtown improvements. Currently, $35,000 is allocated for pressure washing downtown, with additional funds earmarked for other beautification efforts. The council considered how these funds could be redirected to support the proposed service contract, which is projected to require around $500,000 for comprehensive service delivery.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to enhancing downtown Flagstaff through strategic funding and partnerships, with further discussions anticipated to refine the budget and finalize plans for implementation.