Navajo County Manager Glenn Kephart is excited, energized and hopeful about what the New Year has in store for the county. His priorities begin with continuing to offer the citizens of Navajo County the services that they need to succeed, and in a way that is welcoming and accessible to all.
“That has to be our focus as we go in to the new year,” he said. “I mean customer service for everyone that comes into the county offices and I also think that should apply to our economic development. We would like to make our planning and zoning processes a little easier for businesses that may be looking to move in to Navajo County.”
Economic development is high on the list of Kephart’s priorities. He mentioned the broadband project headed by Arizona Public Service. The project should come to Navajo County in 2021. According to Kephart, “As you know timelines on these types of things are fluid. We do know that when it is completed, it will be a great asset to our region. Being able to offer broadband as an infrastructure piece will hopefully entice business to move in to the area.”
As he continued to discuss development, Kephart explained the importance of a county identity. “Who are we as Navajo County? What do we want to present to the rest of the state as to who we are? We have so many natural resources and because of the expansiveness of our county, we have everything from dense forest to high desert. We also have a rich history throughout the county. We need to really figure out what identity we want to present because once we do, it will absolutely show developers and future residents what we have to offer, which is a lot.”
The forestry industry is part of that identity, as Kephart stated, “We have an opportunity to be awarded a contract by the United States Forest Service to begin forest restoration in the region. The restoration will include reducing fire risks and efficient use of the materials left behind, or biomass. Kephart continued, “This is essential for our forest health and revitalization and the protection of our natural resources. The contract would also mean jobs in Navajo County, and of course we always welcome those.” The U.S. Forest Service will award the contract in May and multiple Navajo County communities could be positively affected.
Kephart also sees the importance of protecting the history and historic structures within Navajo County. “We have so much to offer in the way of historic tours or visits to see some of these building that were such a part of our beginnings as a county. This year, we will be putting out a request for bids for work on our (Historic Navajo County) courthouse roof. That building, to me, is one of our greatest assets, not only to the City of Holbrook but to the entire county. We would really like to see that restored. We will also be looking to do some restoration on a schoolhouse in Pinedale that is on the National Historic Register. We need to preserve some of that history.”
Also on the New Year horizon for Navajo County is what Assistant County Manager Bryan Layton calls criminal justice reform. “Not just jail reform, but a change of the entire system. From the way we incarcerate people to the way we work toward getting them the help that they need,” he said.
Layton explained the county’s plan to have all law enforcement officers trained in crisis intervention, have multiple options for those experiencing mental health struggles and focus more on diversion than incarceration.
“Diversion makes sense on many levels,” Layton said. “On one hand, it is the right thing to do to help people make better choices, and to stay out of jail and on the other hand, it makes sense from a budget perspective to have fewer people in our jails and in our probation system.”
The county is already working with Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon as well as the Arizona court system to devise a coherent diversion plan that works for the citizens of Navajo County. Layton said, “Our idea is to partner with various entities and be able to offer counseling, housing and employment services and more. We understand that these things are factors when talking about recidivism and the reduction of it. We believe we can make this program self-sustaining by billing Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and by working with grants and funding from the state. We are excited to start the planning phase this year.”
Kephart added, “Without the passing of Proposition 421, the creation of the jail tax district, none of these things would be possible. We now have a steady income stream to fund our jail so we can concentrate on other programs. We are so grateful that the citizens of this county came out and voted for that plan and that they trust us with their money.”
Finally, Kephart spoke about how he finds the building and maintaining partnerships throughout the region important to the success of the county. “We have always had great partnerships with our cities and towns, as well as the Navajo Nation and others. In this new year, we plan to not only continue those but to nurture them as well. It is the only way we can succeed.”
Both Kephart and Layton are looking ahead to 2020 as a year of opportunity and growth for Navajo County.
