Town questions whether local trailer park qualifies for Colonias funding

SEAGO presenter William Osborne described Colonias as pre‑1991 communities lacking potable water, adequate sewage and decent housing; he said Colonias grants are competitive, limited to qualifying communities, and typically fund water, wastewater, stormwater or housing rehabilitation projects that are shovel‑ready and environmental review‑complete.

Town Manager Suzanne Harvey and Mayor Johann Wallace debated whether a nearby trailer park falls inside Huachuca City limits and therefore whether the Colonias designation would apply. Harvey said the map is unclear and the Town will need to verify the boundary; Osborne noted that Colonias designation confers competitive advantage but that Colonias awards are only available in years when ADOH issues a Colonias notice. The Council agreed to include Colonias as a contingency on the project list if verification shows the area qualifies.