By L. Parsons Janelle Linn, director of the Navajo County Public Health District gave a positive report to the Navajo County Board of Supervisors last week. “We have only had seven new cases reported to us in the last 24 hours,” Linn said. “The week previous to that was very similar, an average of nine to 20 per day were being reported. We have continued to see that downward trend and we feel like we really are near the bottom of our second spike. We are prepared for the possibility that we could experience a third spike once the variant strains are identified in our community and if they spread. We are assessing that closely.” The Biden administration has made clear the intentions of vaccinating every American and making sure every county has the funding they need to continue providing services pertaining to COVID-19. Linn continued, “We have been told that Navajo County will be receiving additional funding to continue COVID activities in the form of surveillance, improved data techniques in gathering and to continue our vaccine efforts. We do not know the particulars on that funding yet, but we do know we will be receiving it.” Vaccine distribution continues to be problematic nationwide. Specifically, the recent storms in the Midwestern states have delayed production and shipment of both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Many municipalities are experiencing further shortages and Navajo County is no different. Linn said, “The State of Arizona is at about 17 percent vaccinated. We are kind of right on target with that. Here in Navajo County, we are at about 18 percent. We were increasing that by about one percentage point a day. However, last week the winter storms in the Midwest where the vaccine is manufactured, changed that. We didn’t get our vaccine shipments last week. No one in Navajo County was vaccinated last week so there was not a lot of growth. We do expect, then, to see a big surge this week.” Another vaccine concern is supply. Linn said, “I am pleased that we are ahead of the state average for pushing out vaccine. Especially considering the very small allotments and allocation amounts that we have been receiving.” In a subsequent video released by Navajo County, Linn said, “We do, in this county, have very low waste when it comes to vaccines, so our vaccine rates will rise quickly. But we need about 4,000 vaccines per week and we are going to get 2,000 this week; 500 of those will be accounted for as second doses.” During the meeting, Linn said, “We have administered 18,199 vaccines in Navajo County.” Nearly 5,000 people have completed both doses in the series, according to Linn. The county continues to encourage citizens to schedule appointments to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. To do so, visit the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov. In other business, the board: * Was presented with information from Bruce Adelson, an attorney hired by the county to consult on the redistricting needs of the county. In his presentation, Adelson explained that redistricting of supervisorial districts within the county is done following the release of decennial census data. * Approved contracts with Hawker and Evan Asphalt Co., Inc. and Cactus Transport, Inc. to provide the sale, delivery, application and other aspects of liquid asphalt products used for pavement preservation, potholes, chip seal application and fog seal treatments on public roads in Navajo County. The amount of the contracts will be based on jobs performed and having two provides the county with the flexibility to utilize a second contractor should the lowest bidder not be available. * Approved a memorandum of understanding for sharing of public health data between the Arizona Department of Health Services and Navajo County Public Health District. * Recognized employees Alicia Deets, Kyle Marinello, Linda Sandoval and Kevin Schuerman for their excellence in personal performance for the month of February. * Recognized the following employees for their continued service to Navajo County: Clinton Haddox of Public Works, five years; Kristie Patterson of Clerk of the Superior Court, five years; Suzanne Smith of the Winslow Constable’s office, five years; Katelin Lerma of the Superior Court, 10 years; and Bonita Chase of the Probation Department, 20 years. * Approved the reappointment of Jon H. Saline as a Superior Court Judge Pro tempore to serve for a term beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2022. * Authorized letters of sympathy to Scott Badger, Marty Boisvert, Debra Chapman, Cherly Chee, Christopher Davis, Lea Peterson, Tony Peterson, Carla Smith and Tom Robinson. * Authorized a letter of appreciation to the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise for their $4,030 contribution to the county in fiscal year 2020. * Approved the sale of one back tax land parcel sold over the counter in the amount of $494. * Approved a resolution for the Family Counseling Grant additional budget for fiscal year 2021 of $14,443 and $3,611 in matching funds. This is an annual renewable grant that pays for juvenile counseling for families. The county will match $3,611 to the probation department so they may receive additional funding from the Administrative Office of the Courts. * Approved an amendment to the White Mountain Community Garden long term lease agreement. The community has been leasing property from the county. This amendment changes the terms of the agreement renewals from one year to five years. * Approved a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding agreement close out for sidewalk, curb and gutter improvement along Hall Street in Show Low. The grant amount was $277,370. The total cost of the project, paid to contractors McCauley Construction, Inc. of Winslow was $356,223. * Heard a presentation from the CARE (Continually Achieving and Reaching Employees) committee in which they announced the theme for 2021 as “Reach for the Stars.” The CARE committee benefits county employees and their families. * Adopted a resolution approving the sale, execution and delivery of pledged revenue refunding obligations. The county has two outstanding bond issues from 2012 and 2013 for a total principal amount of nearly $10.8 million. This resolution is a refinancing of that debt resulting in savings to the county. Estimated savings to the county are $624,000 to $996,000 through fiscal year 2030-31. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9.
