The Navajo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last week in favor of accepting a 1968 Cessna 182K airplane offered by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office for use by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have a great relationship with Yavapai County…(they) recently got a new airplane and in the spirit of paying it forward, the sheriff there asked if we’d like to have their older 182,” explained Deputy Chief James Molesa.
Use of the plane is expected to save the sheriff’s office money and increase other law enforcement services within the county.
Over the past two years the county has been sharing flight costs with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office for prisoner transfers, and used that plane during off-times for search and rescue activities, spotting illegal campfires during fire restrictions, and in Major Crimes and Apprehension Team (MCAT) drug investigations and surveillance.
“We used to send two of the detention officers in a van for two days to Yuma to pick up prisoners. Now we can go there and back in four hours and we keep our officers here,” Molesa explained.
He noted that the sheriff’s office now has several options if, for example, someone with a Navajo County warrant is picked up in Las Vegas, Nev. Two deputies can drive over to get the wanted person, taking several days, a transport company can be hired, or they can fly over and get the person, and be back in several hours.
According to Molesa, the plane comes in good working order, having just undergone its annual maintenance, and is valued between $60,000 and $70,000.
He stated that future maintenance would not require any general fund expenditures, and should be supported through the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), Search and Rescue, Criminal Justice (Jail) Enhancement Funds and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas funds.
Highlighting additional cost savings and benefits, Molesa went on to say, “I have two volunteer pilots, so there’s no cost for the pilots. Both are very, very experienced pilots…I also visited with Sheriff Dedman (of Apache County) and asked if he would like to enter in the same arrangement with Navajo County that we had with Coconino County. He’s very interested in that.” That arrangement would likely include shared prisoner transportation costs.
District II Supervisor Jesse Thompson thanked the deputy chief, noting, “We certainly appreciate how you’re always looking out for a partnership…and this does improve your services here in Navajo County.”
“After looking at some of the measures, it would actually be less than the cost of what we were paying last year for some of these services,” remarked District III Supervisor Jason Whiting.
District V Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger echoed that sentiment, saying, “It’s pretty clear that it will be cost effective,” as she then made the initial motion for approval.
The board also approved an amendment to an existing contract with the Department of Economic Security increasing the reimbursement ceiling for the Northeastern Arizona Innovative Workforce Solutions program by $72,047.
The funding from the Department of Labor is used to assist youths, adults and dislocated workers in retraining or becoming employed through a variety of assistive methods. The majority of this increase, $66,899, will be directed toward youth programs that can assist with high school or GED completion, tutoring, college preparation, career guidance or placement, job skill training, resume writing, internships and more.
During the call to the public, the board listened as White Mountain Lakes landowner Donna Girst voiced concerns about the White Mountain Lakes Recreation Advisory Committee. Among her concerns were a lack of term limits, the practice of the committee voting in replacements and allegations that secret voting, having been thwarted in past attempts, would be an item up for approval on the next agenda.
Eric Girst also spoke to the board, endorsing his wife as an applicant for one of three open positions on the committee.
Later in the meeting, the board voted to approve changes in the White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District operations proposed by Melissa Buckley based on a thorough audit completed earlier this year.
The audit was conducted following a May 2016 open meeting law complaint received from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. The changes will bring employees under county supervision and eliminate the recreation advisory committee in favor of holding an annual public meeting for input on district operations, with all landowners being notified in advance.
The Girsts’ then expressed their enthusiasm for the outcome to the board.
In other action Feb. 14, the board:
* Observed as Sheriff KC Clark presented a Valor Award to Deputy Caleb Baldwin for his thoughtful and practical application of procedure following the shooting of Officer Darrin Reed. Deputy Baldwin had completed his training only two months prior to the incident and was off-duty at a nearby store when the shooting occurred.
* Observed as Judge Dale Nielson honored the first graduate of the Navajo County Superior Court Veterans Court, Brian Brandenburg, and the Veterans Court Team members who support those in the program through mentoring.
* Approved the over-the-counter sale of two back tax land parcels for $1,299.04. One is located northeast of Holbrook in the Painted Desert Mobile Villa at 8523 S. 21st St. and the other is located east of Snowflake off of El Dorado and Zuni Roads at 3869 Coronado Road.
* Approved 2017 board committee appointments.
* Approved the appointment of Kevin Smith to the Navajo County Board of Adjustment.
* Approved a letter of sympathy to Michael Penrod and the family of Sue Clark.
* Approved the appointments of Jan Cutler, Kenith Ramage, Christopher Sadler, Angela Sadler, Lisa Horne, Jill Skaufel, John Major, Fred Foust, Tracy Sherwood and Dustin Graham as precinct committeemen for the Navajo County Republican Committee for their respective districts.
* Recognized the Show Low All Girl Stunt Team for taking first place at the 2017 Arizona Interscholastic Association Spiritline State Championship held Jan. 14.
* Recognized the Winslow All Girl Pom Squad for taking first place at the 2017 Arizona Interscholastic Association Spiritline State Championship held Jan. 14.
* Approved joining a three-year Public Entity Partnership Program proposed by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The program focuses on the safety and health of county employees, especially in the Adult Detention, Public Works and Facilities Maintenance areas. The goal is to better protect employees while saving money by reducing costs associated with work related injuries and illnesses.
