During the June 14 Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board approved the tentative county budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The budget was presented to the board by Assistant County Manager Bryan Layton during the May 24 meeting, where he explained that the budget is balanced at $37.6 million with no increase in the general fund tax levy. He noted that although there are revenue challenges, creative solutions are proposed to invest in employees and infrastructure. There was no discussion by the board prior to approval.
The board also approved the implementation of Stage 1 fire restrictions for Zones 1, 2 and 3 in the county, presented to the board by Navajo County Emergency Management Director Mary Springer. Navajo County Emergency Management implemented countywide Stage 1 fire restrictions on June 15.
“This is a coordinated effort to keep our communities and emergency responders safe,” noted Chairman Jason Whiting in a press release. “These restrictions are meant to add another level of safety and awareness to our region.”
Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire; smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials; and prohibits the use of fireworks, explosive targets or tracer round ammunition.
Although there are exemptions, they do not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for a fire started by the exempted activity.
Exemptions include persons with a written permit or authorization, fires used only for cooking food or providing warmth, and persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. These exemptions are only permitted in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
For a complete list of restrictions and exemptions, visit navajocountyaz.gov.
In other action June 14, the board:
* Approved the sale of a back tax land parcel sold over the counter for $980.
* Approved an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement for dispatch services for the City of Holbrook from $100,000 to $140,000 annually.
* Authorized the Navajo County Election Department to conduct elections for the communities of Taylor, Show Low, Snowflake and Pinetop-Lakeside on Aug. 30 and Nov. 8.
* Authorized acceptance of a Byrne Grant in the amount of $234,416 from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for use by the Major Crimes Apprehension Team.
* Authorized acceptance of the resignation of Lita Dixon as Constable of Precinct No. 4, effective June 1, 2016, and the appointment of Elizabeth Whitehorn Benally to fill the remainder of the term.
* Authorized the acceptance of a grant in the amount of $32,295 from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Victim Assistance Grant and a grant in the amount of $110,661 from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Drug, Gang and Violent Crime Control Grant to fund victim service advocates, with matching funds for both grants to come from funds provided by RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act).
* Approved renewal of the five-year Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant that funds plans, exercises and trainings in emergency management.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between Northland Pioneer College and Navajo County Emergency Management for the use of the Ready Navajo county emergency alert system.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Show Low and Navajo County Emergency Management for the use of the Ready Navajo County Emergency Alert System
