Navajo County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Moffitt presented K-9 Deputy Legend with warm wishes and a video to thank him for his service. The dog has been part of the Sheriff’s Office for just under four years and has been handled by Deputy Daniel Deets.
Moffitt said of Legend, “On his first day of work, Legend recovered 43 pounds of marijuana. He has assisted us with apprehension of violent criminals and drug seizures. He has had a very successful career with the Sheriff’s Office, seizing over 1,550 pounds of marijuana, 351 pounds of methamphetamine, 20 pounds of cocaine, 13 and a half pounds of heroin, three pounds of fentanyl and over $3.3 million in drug money. We elected to retire Legend now so he could retire without any medical issues. He will have a wonderful life living out the rest of his days with Deputy Deets in his home.”
Moffitt then took the opportunity to announce his own retirement from the Sheriff’s Office effective Dec. 20.
Also retiring from county service was Delton Jenkins, a long-time employee of the Facilities Management Department. Jenkins was spoken highly of by his supervisor, Bret Starns. “He is a steward to his community and to this county. He is someone we have relied on for over 30 years. In fact, he has over 2,000 hours of sick leave that he has not used. He volunteers a lot of his time and I want to thank him for all that he has done.”
District IV Supervisor Steve Williams also celebrated his final meeting with the Board of Supervisors. Williams has been appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals by Governor Doug Ducey. In an emotional speech, Williams thanked his family for their support over the years as well as mentioned his confidence in his replacement, Darryl Seymore. “He is prepared, he is seasoned and ready to hit the ground running. I just feel so settled with him representing District IV.”
Williams continued, “It has been an honor to serve alongside the employees of Navajo County.”
The supervisors each thanked Williams for his time on the board and were all emotional in their words. Chairwoman Dawnafe Whitesinger said, “Steve is committed to justly and fairly hearing the concerns of our community. His advocacy of people and his unwavering character proves his worthiness of his court appointment.”
In other business, the Board:
* Recognized the finance team led by Director Paige Peterson for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting given by the Government Finance Officers Association of The United States and Canada.
* Recognized employees of the month of November including Vicci Ramsay-Chapman of the Sheriff’s Office; Donna Hurstrom of the Board of Supervisors staff; Joel Johnston of Facilities Management; and Ronald Smith of the Court Administration Department.
* Recognized the Blueridge boys soccer team for winning the state championship.
* Recognized the Navajo County 4-H Horse Club for their representation of the county in the state horse show.
* Approved a resolution allowing the collection of administrative fees for vehicle seized during drug offense violations. Offenders will be required to pay a $100 impound fee and $5 per day for storage.
* Approved the naming of an existing road in the Heber area as Spotted Saddle Trail.
* Approved an annual letter to the Board of Supervisors stating there are no changes to the boundary lines for the school districts in Navajo County.
* Approved 50 back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $24,261.
* Accepted a back-tax land list, authorized the publication of the same and scheduled the 2019 back tax land auction to begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10.
* Approved an agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the cities of Winslow and Show Low and the towns of Snowflake and Taylor regarding Byrne Grant funding. This grant contributes $40,000 in payroll costs per detective on the Major Crimes Apprehension Team.
* Approved a request from Holbrook Junior High School to support their anti-bullying campaign in the amount of $250.
* Approved legal representation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in two tax appeals filed for tax year 2020. Both concern property that is assessed by the Arizona Department of Revenue rather than the Navajo County Assessor.
* Approved an agreement with Gateway Oasis IV, LLC, for transitioning and acquiring a public easement from the Arizona State Land Department. This approval allows Gateway Oasis IV, LLC to file and complete a subdivision in the White Mountain Lake Community area.
* Certified the fill the gap allocations from fiscal year 2017, 2018 and 2019. This certifies the total revenues received by the justice and superior courts including the Clerk of the Superior Court, exceed the amount received in fiscal year 1997-1998.
* Approved the donation of a 2005 Chevrolet pickup to the White Mountain Apache Game Rangers from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
* Designated District III Supervisor Jason Whiting as Navajo County’s LPC (Legislative Policy Committee) representative for 2020.
* Approved a letter to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality proposed program roadmap for the assumption of the Clean Water Act permitting process. The county is not in support of the additional cost that would be incurred by counties if this proposal is enacted.
* Acknowledged the receipt of the complete real property Assessment Roll of Navajo County for the tax year 2020 and directed the clerk to accept it for filing.
* Approved a resolution formalizing the extinguishment of a public easement in the Town of Pinetop.
* Approved fiscal year 2019/2020 fund transfers.
* Approved a memorandum of understanding between NCSO and the United States Marshals Service for the Violent Offender Taskforce.
* Approved an application for a transfer of a liquor license to Luis Fernando Vargas Ventura at Grumpy Jakes, located at 3973 W. White Mountain Blvd. in Lakeside.
* Awarded a contract for psychiatric services for Navajo County Jail to Ellen Morse. The one-year contract is in the amount of $2,780 per month.
* Awarded a contract for vehicle replacement to Arizona Motors in Snowflake and Arizona Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Show Low Ford in Show Low. This mitigates the need for a procurement procedure for each fleet vehicle replacement. The contract will be on an “as needed” basis.
* Adopted a resolution revising the fee schedule for the Navajo County Assessor’s Office.
* Adopted a resolution approving a zone change request allowing the development of a recreation vehicle subdivision in the White Mountain Lake area.
* Adopted a resolution approving a special use permit to operate a custom fabrication and repair welding shop in the Wagon Wheel area.
* Adopted a resolution approving a special use permit allowing the construction of a wind energy generation and storage facility in the Chevlon Canyon area.
* Adopted a resolution allowing the amendment of a site plan, allowing the replacement of two manufactured home lots with six RV lots in Heber.
* The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the Supervisor’s Chamber, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Dr.
