The Navajo County Board of Supervisors approved a special election scheduled Nov. 7 in Winslow last week. Voters will be asked to extend the levy of the existing two percent transaction privilege rate on restaurants and bars for 20 years, beginning July 2018.
The levy was originally instituted in 2008, with the most recent renewal in 2013. In a follow up interview, Winslow Finance Director Elias Jouen explained that the privilege tax brings about $125,000 of revenue into the city each year. According to Jouen, the funds are used for, “capital improvements including, but not limited to, city wide parks and streets, sidewalks, and street landscaping in all areas of the city,” he said.
The board also approved a special election for the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside to determine if a franchise should be granted to Arizona Water Company to construct, maintain and operate in, over, under, and across those portions of public right of way; and if a franchise should be granted to Navopache Electric Cooperative on Nov. 7.
In addition, the board awarded a contract to continue road improvements throughout the county. The contract was given unanimously to Sunland Asphalt and Construction, Inc. for hot asphaltic concrete pavement overlay.
Public Works representative Jeanine Carruthers explained the county’s intention to overlay eight miles of roadway in Navajo County. Four bids were received, and the lowest responsible bid was submitted by Sunland. “They are within our budget and we are recommending the award to them,” she said.
The budget implications of Sunland’s bid of $1,186,670 can be found in the fiscal year 2017-18 county budget under Capital Improvement Projects.
The board also authorized acceptance of a grant for a new ambulance for the Heber-Overgaard Fire District. The Gila Indian River Community provided the $60,000 grant.
A public hearing was held regarding the extension of a final plat on two residential projects that were initiated in 2006 by Pacific Holt Corp. in Holbrook in the subdivisions of Perkins Valley and Mesa Hills due to economic downturn. After no comment from the public, the Board of Supervisors followed staff recommendations to allow for the extension based on good faith that the developers will start the building projects as soon as the economy allows.
A request for a special use permit in the Linden area for the development of a mini storage unit facility was tabled after a recommendation by public works staff. It was noted that stipulations placed on the applicant had not yet been met despite having discussed the issue during previous Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.
In other action Sept. 12, the board:
* Approved property tax exemptions with waivers pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes.
* Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for the Sky Hi, Porter Mountain and Pinedale domestic water improvement districts, and appointing the candidate or deeming the position vacant.
* Adopted a resolution cancelling the election for the White Mountain Fire District and appointing the candidate or deeming the position vacant.
* Approved the sales of 20 back tax land parcels over the counter in the amount of $7,908.04.
* Granted a special event liquor license to the White Mountain Firefighters Foundation for the 2017 Tour of the White Mountains Bike Event to be held at the Pinetop Lakes Activity Center and Stables on Oct. 6 and 7.
* Approved the expenditure of County Attorney Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) funds to the Show Low High School Baseball Booster Club in the amount of $1,000 to help offset the costs of tournament play.
* Approved contracts signed by Interim County Manager Glenn Kephart for services from Cannon Consultants LLC for the Woodruff Bridge over the Little Colorado River. Cannon will be heading site studies to rehabilitate the historic bridge built in 1917. It is located on Woodruff-Snowflake Road and was last updated in 1940.
* Approved a contract with Painted Sky Engineering and Survey LLC for a Little Mormon Lake Road striping and signing plan.
* Approved the renewal of an agreement between the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board Navajo Nation Regional Partnership Council and Navajo County Public Health Services District to provide nutrition education in the Navajo Nation Region through June 2018.
* Approved professional services agreements between First Things First and April Pohlman RDH, Ellen Grabareck RDH, and Susan Sutton RDH for dental hygiene services for the Navajo Nation Oral Health Fluoride Program in the amount of $40 per hour through June 30, 2018.
* Approved constable reports from the Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside precincts, and warrant and voucher reports over $1,000.
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the county governmental center, 100 E. Code Talkers Way in Holbrook.
