The Navajo County Board of Supervisors accepted grant funding and made several proclamations during a meeting on Tuesday, including designation of Navajo County as a Purple Heart county.

By becoming a Purple Heart county, Navajo County “recognizes and honors the service and sacrifice of our nation’s men and women who were wounded or killed while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by our communities and nation.”

The designation marks one step in an effort to make Arizona the nation’s first Purple Heart state by having all the counties make the declaration by May 25.

Supervisors Jesse Thompson and Jonathon Nez sponsored the effort for the county, with Thompson noting that he believes it is vital to honor the individuals who have served their country.

“We thank you and honor you,” he said.

In addition to the Purple Heart declaration, board members also made proclamations honoring the county’s youth, detention officers and emergency dispatchers. May 1-7 was declared Arizona Youth Week, while May 3-9 was recognized as Correctional Officers Week. The week of April 13-17 was retroactively noted as National Telecommunicators Week by the board.

Board members also agreed to accept one grant and pursue another during the meeting.

A $15,748 grant from the Arizona Office of the Courts was awarded to the juvenile probation department. The grant funds will be used to provide counseling services to juveniles and their families. A total of $3,027 in matching funds is required for the grant, and the board approved the expenditure from the general fund.

The Navajo County Public Health District will work with the White Mountain Community Garden to apply for a grant that will pay for solar pumping and rainwater harvesting equipment to be used at the community garden in Show Low. If received, the equipment will be installed to collect water at the public health building in Show Low. Board members approved the grant application.

In other action April 28, the board:

* Approved a contract with Dr. Wade Kartchner for public health medical consultant/alternate medical examiner services at a rate of $6,000 per month, not including medical examiner fees.

* Approved the hiring of temporary summer help for the public works department.

* Rescheduled the regular May 12 meeting to Monday, May 11, and canceled the regular meeting set for June 23.

* Recognized the winners of the employee weight loss challenge.

The next board meeting is set for 9 a.m. on Monday, May 11, at the county complex in Holbrook.