By L. Parsons The Navajo County Board of Supervisors held a telephonic meeting last week and were given an update on the COVID-19 situation in Navajo County. Public Health Director Jeff Lee informed the board that the number of cases in Navajo County had risen to over 1,000. That number is still increasing as of press time. Lee also explained that testing has continued throughout the county including last week’s “testing blitz.” Lee noted, “Because of the increase in testing, we will see an increase in those positive results.” He added, “The way testing is conducted has not changed in that your primary care provider will still have to make the decision on who gets tested. If you are feeling symptomatic, contact your doctor or health care provider and go from there.” According to Lee, the next phase in mitigating this crisis is contact tracing. “Our Navajo County Public Health nurses are currently monitoring 110 households in relation to contact tracing for COVID-19.” Despite Governor Doug Ducey lifting restrictions on retail shops, gyms and restaurants, Lee recommends continuing the use of precautions. “Please still practice physical distancing of six feet or more, wash your hands and wear a mask.” Kimberley Robinson of the United States Census Bureau also presented an update to the Board of Supervisors. The census is a counting of all residents that is used to determine how federal monies are distributed. Because of the stay at home recommendations from the government due to COVID-19, the census taking timeline has been modified. Robinson explained, “Our field activities will resume beginning June 1. On that date, we will start physically counting group living situations like jails, prisons, nursing homes and things like that. In mid-June, we will start making our rounds on tribal lands, if we are able to. The best bet is still to get people to self-respond. Anyone can do that by going to www.my2020census.gov.” The board entered into executive session to receive legal counsel on the ongoing opioid legislation that Navajo County is a participant in. Last year, Navajo and Apache counties sued various drug manufacturers and distributors for their part in the opioid crisis. Following the executive session, Deputy County Attorney Jason Moore recommended the board approve the settlement discussed in the session. The board did so unanimously with no public discussion. The details of the settlement are unknown at this time. In other business, the board: * Authorized acceptance of a grant from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program in the amount of $122,300 to pay salaries of MCAT (Major Crimes Apprehension Team) lieutenants and purchase supplies for MCAT detectives. * Authorized acceptance of a grant from the HIDTA program in the amount of $13,800 to pay for the lease of office space in Show Low for MCAT detectives stationed in South County. * Authorized an annual grant from the Administrative Office of the Courts in the amount of $12,588 to continue juvenile counselling through the probation department. The county will provide $3,147 in matching funds. * Approved the distribution of forest fee funds to county schools. * Approved a contract signed by county manager Glenn Kephart with Woodson Engineering as consultants on an on-call basis. Compensation will be on an hourly basis and is not to exceed $10,000 per assignment. * Approved warrant and voucher reports over $1,000 for April. * Approved fund transfers for January through March. * Approved changes to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting schedule to accommodate for COVID-19 mitigation. The board will meet for budget adoption on July 7 and 21. * Approved the sale of back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $7,525. * Approved a special events liquor license application for the Heber-Overgaard Chamber of Commerce for their annual July 4 activities. * Approved a special events liquor license application for the Heber-Overgaard Chamber of Commerce for their annual Oktoberfest scheduled for Sept. 18 and 19. * Appointed Kristy Prather as Title III representative on the local workforce development board. * Proclaimed May 6-12 as National Nurses Week in Navajo County. * Proclaimed May 10-16 as National Police Week in Navajo County. * Proclaimed May 17-23 as Schools Appreciation Week in Navajo County. * Approved an agreement allowing Navajo County Health District to continued opioid use prevention services to Navajo County residents. This includes targeted Naloxone distribution and education. * Approved the annual memorandum of agreement with Heber-Overgaard, Holbrook and White Mountain Community Garden schools to offer nutrition and physical education activity services through the SNAP-ED program. * Approved the renewal of a 25-year franchise agreement with Unisource. * Approved an agreement with Pinon Chapter for road maintenance. The county will provide $100,000 from the Highway User Revenue Fund. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. It has yet to be determined if that meeting will be held in person or telephonically.
