County supervisors share concerns with legislators

“We were able to sit down with members of our state legislative delegation to discuss the revenue challenges facing Navajo County,” Chairman Thompson noted in a press release issued after the meeting. “It is crucial that our representatives at the state level, as well as members of the public, understand the unique economic challenges we are facing in Navajo County and our region.”

Referring to his experience in Phoenix, Supervisor Whiting relayed positive news for the wood industry, saying that because of the administration change, wood from this region is now selling “like hot-cakes” and that there is plenty of wood available for harvest at this time. He also stated that he had spent much of the past two weeks in the Valley, “Staying in front of the legislators and helping them be informed on the issues that we face here.”

Supervisor Whitesinger attended a rural transportation summit while in the Valley and engaged in discussion with legislators on improvements needed for this area. She also spent time educating herself on upcoming bills that will affect the area.

Also reflecting on rural transportation issues, Chairman Thompson asked, “How can the state, county and tribal government, who’re doing so much at this time, but how can they come together to use each other’s resources to improve roads that are coming into nearby communities?” Indicating improvements would lead to increased access to goods and services with the outside communities he said, “It’s good for all of us.”

Members of the board also gave a presentation to the legislators explaining the impact the closure of Unit 2 at Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City had on the county, and relayed fears over the impending closures of the remaining units there, as well as at the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta Coal Mine.

Other issues affecting the county budget that were addressed in the presentation included increased cost mandated at the state level requiring changes in court security, the potential for increases in retirement plan costs, the continued cost of juvenile detention services the county is being asked to cover and the ongoing insecurity of funding the county receives in exchange for housing federal inmates.

The board also approved revisions to the Navajo County Continuity of Operations Plan. In the event of an emergency the plan ensures continued ability to provide services in the event of a major emergency.

Emergency Management Director Mary Springer, who presented the plan, described it as, “A comprehensive plan that identifies who’s in charge if something goes wrong, where facilities are at, how we contact people, and how we get our business up and running in the event of an emergency.” The plan outlines where facilities should be re-established in the event of a catastrophic emergency that disrupts operations at one location. It utilizes a software program that streamlines changes within the system to decrease steps in reporting and can even allow an authorized user access to information at any location via a cell phone app.

In other activity, the board:

* Gave recognition to a number of county employees for excellence in performance beyond the expectations of the organization, including Yolanda Bailon of the Public Health Clinic, and Women Infant and Child program in Winslow. Probation Officers Heidi Grissom, Paul Haney and Miguel “Mike” Ramirez of Show Low were recognized for their role in the apprehension of one individual involved in the shooting death of Officer Darrin Reed in November. Also recognized were Charlotte Yazzie, probation secretary in Snowflake; and Kenneth Hardy, information technology network technician.

* Approved reissuance of stale dated checks originally issued as refunds of overpayment on property taxes in the amount of $223.87 to Lawyers Title, $381.03 to Matthew and Martha Perry, and $413.76 to Pioneer Title Company.

* Approved a letter to the Arizona Commerce Authority highlighting employee availability and the suitability of an industrial area south of Snowflake for proposed Project Flicker by West Snowflake Land Company, LLC.

* Approved continuance of an intergovernmental agreement between the Show Low Special Response Team (SRT), the Town of Eagar and the City of St. Johns to provide assistance in high risk and emergency situations. The SRT is comprised of officers from the Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside police departments, and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. According to the initial plan established in 2012, the move decreases the training burden on the City of Show Low while increasing the availability of qualified officers in the region, and improves the odds of receiving grant funding.

* Approved an addition to the Declared Emergencies Non-Classified or Exempt Employee Compensation Plan, which allows for approval by the Board of Supervisors to pay overtime for those employees during an emergency event.

* Approved an Arizona Department of Health Services STD Grant amendment reducing reporting requirements from four times a year to two.

* Approved professional services agreements with Registered Dental Hygenists Vita Nicks, Tamra Cannon, Regina Rich and Candice Marissa Matthews-Penrod for the 2017 calendar year at $33 per hour to provide services in the Navajo County Oral Health Sealant Program.

* Approved an agreement between the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and HonorHealth to utilize the John C. Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix as the base station for medical direction of Advance Life Support (ALS) personnel. According to Chief Deputy James Molesa, who presented at the meeting, sheriff’s deputies are often the first responders to incidents. As such, many have received complimentary training as paramedics and emergency medical technicians, allowing them to provide assistance to injured individuals. Under law, paramedics providing ALS assistance require medical direction from the hospital and HonorHealth has a history of providing this to other law enforcement agencies in Arizona.