and Linda Kor
Assistant County Manager Bryan Layton presented to the Navajo County Board of Supervisors the tentative 2017-18 general fund budget in the amount of $39 million with a request for adoption. This amount includes a total reduction of nearly $2.6 million. Layton explained the projected costs of operations for the county as having increased from last year due largely to health care costs for county employees.
Layton said the county is projecting flat growth for property tax, with a loss in new construction of $24 million. State sales tax is projected at .18 percent below what was projected, falling short by $11,000.
Anticipated increases include a $1.2 million increase in the county’s healthcare plan, $1 million in identified capital needs, primarily for vehicles and Information Technology, $133,000 to the Arizona Long Term Care System, $60,000 in increased costs for Microsoft contracts.
Layton noted that in 2017, 23 claims over $50,000 were filed, nearly double the amount from the last recorded year, 2015. Those 23 claims totaled approximately $2.8 million in costs to the county.
Layton went on to break down the users of the health care plan offered by the county. “Twenty percent of our health plan members accrue 90 percent of our health care costs. Seventy-six percent of those costs are driven by lifestyle choices,” he said. This information has spurred the county to offer incentives for lifestyle changes and includes looking to making sure all beneficiaries have comprehensive contact with their primary care providers and offering overall wellness support. The county foresees these actions helping to lower costs.
Referencing the nearly $2.6 million in reductions Layton referred to the closure of the Juvenile Detention Center in Holbrook, which saved the county $600,000. To house juvenile offenders, the board approved an agreement with Pinal County for the use of its Youth Justice Center.
District 4 Supervisor and Vice Chairman Steve Williams stated, “Eight other counties have done the same. In addition to cost saving, this gives us an opportunity to provide a better service to juveniles. The juvenile justice system is set up to help kids, to provide rehabilitation. Partnering with other counties allows us to do just that. Pinal County has an impressive facility and offers a $600,000 cost saving measure for Navajo County.”
After careful consideration, the board gave its approval to the tentative budget as presented. The total budget of all county funds, as well as special districts for which the county acts as a fiscal agent, is $115,978,668.
The Board of Equalization heard from County Assessor Cammy Darris in a petition for review of real property valuation. The property is located in the Show Low Airport Industrial area and contains three small metal buildings. The petitioner was unable to attend the hearing.
After a brief discussion, the board continued with the petition hearing under the instruction from County Attorney Brad Carlyon that they have until October to make a decision in the case.
The board also approved a request for abandonment of Caliente Drive in Winslow. Caliente Drive is in a residential area immediately adjacent to the Winslow Lindbergh Airport. According to Public Works Director Glenn Kephart, “The decision to abandon the roadway is to alleviate issues with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and to reduce traffic around the airport.”
Also approved was a zone change on 7.8 acres in the Linden area to residential, subdividing the acreage into four lots. The plats will not be recorded until road improvements are made.
Legal advice on two issues was given by Carlyon in an executive session.
Regarding the first issue, authority was granted to the Arizona Attorney General’s office to negotiate a settlement to resolve the Transwestern Pipeline litigation.
On the second, Deputy County Attorney Brandt Clark was given approval to enter into settlement negotiations regarding a notice of claim filed by Jake Caley.
District I Supervisor Lee Jack informed the board of the Navajo Nation’s decision to extend the operating lease at the Navajo Generating Station for the proposed two years. Jack said the decision came after nearly eight hours of deliberation with a vote of 18-4. Jack said the four “no” votes resulted from sovereignty issues.
He also let the board know that he has been visiting various chapters in his district to inform citizens of budget issues and possible program cuts in their areas.
District III Supervisor Jason Whiting explained his concerns for fire safety and economic development, both priorities in the county.
District V Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger visited the community of Cibecue in the wake of its water shortage. She expressed gratitude to those who reached out to the residents of Cibecue with donations of water, as well as time.
The board also recognized the service provided by Pinetop-Lakeside Constable Ryan Reinhold of Justice Court Precinct No. 6, who began his service to Navajo County 40 years ago, as well as Snowflake Justice Court Clerk Lea Egnor, who has retired after 35 years.
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, at the board chambers, 100 Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook.
