At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Local First Arizona Foundation for the establishment of a small business revolving loan fund for Sierra Vista businesses.
Under the MOU, Sierra Vista small business will be able to receive low-interest loans through Local First Arizona, which is a nonprofit that has a proven track record of establishing and managing successful revolving micro-loan programs. The program aims to remove barriers to entry and expansions for small businesses by enhancing access to capital, fostering local innovation and job creation.
The City will provide an initial investment of $50,000 to the Local First Foundation to establish capital for the program. Funding for the investment is being reallocated from unused Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget funds.
In other business:
- Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Tentative Budget, which caps the budget at $140,710,916. Pursuant to ARS Section 42-17105, the final budget amount may be less than or equal to the tentative budget but may not exceed it. A public hearing on the property tax levy and final budget adoption will occur at the City Council meeting on July 23.
- Council approved the collection of credit card fees on City credit/debit card transactions.
- Council amended the retiree health benefits policy to require City employees who retire on or after Aug. 1, 2026, to enroll in the State’s ASRS Choice Premier medical plan instead of staying on the City’s medical plan.
- Council approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Sierra Vista, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, and Cochise County Community College for the continuance of the Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (SEALETA).
- Council approved an MOU between the City, Sky Islands Regional Partnership, and Friends of the Sierra Vista Area association in support of the Big Idea Blitz and Cochise County Moonshot programs.
- Council approved the City Clerk to post the Call to Election for the 2026 General Election, which will notify residents of the City’s upcoming election in November. The City will have the Office of the Mayor, four City Council seats, and adoption of the Vista 2040 General Plan on the ballot. Council also approved an IGA with Cochise County for administration of the 2026 General Election.
More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, June 25, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.
City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.
