Local News

Tusayan’s Proposal For Direct Aid To Residents Similar To Just Approved Plan In Phoenix

September 27, 2021

Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail’s call to give more than $190,000 in federal COVID-19 aid directly to residents is strikingly similar to a plan that was recently approved in Phoenix. The money comes from the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Questions about whether this can be legally done may have been put to rest as the City of Phoenix has approved its “Financial Assistance for Phoenix Families Program Proposal” which would provide low-income families with monthly stipends.  Because the funds are finite and given Phoenix’s massive population, the money would be distributed through a lottery system.

A lottery system would not be needed in Tusayan which is proposing lump sum payments to residents. However, Mayor Vail is open to the idea establishing some income limits to receive the funds if that’s what the public and the Town Council prefer.

If the funds distribution is challenged in Tusayan, Mayor Vail feels that the precedent established by Phoenix would help Tusayan withstand such a challenge. It should be noted she does not think a court challenge would get very far.

Mayor Vail would like to use distribution of federal funds as a template to distribute locally collected sales tax dollars directly to residents.