By L. Parsons Navajo County Public Health Director Janelle Linn addressed the Navajo County Board of Supervisors last week explained that variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are creating, a “resurgence of COVID in our community.” Linn stated, “We know people are hearing a lot about the variants. What we would like to say is, don’t get too hung up on the variants. There are multiple identified in our community including the Delta variant. Our medical professionals are saying that the severity and the increase of illness is due to this Delta variant. But what we want to share is treatment for the illness is the same whatever variant you contract. We should be more focused on protecting yourself with mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing and being vaccinated.” She continued, “In the last 24 hours, we have had 22 new cases, the last time I reported to you, we were down to zero to two a day. One new trend we are seeing is an increase in hospitalizations especially compared to our previous surges and what we fear is that we are on the brink of another surge. The pattern almost exactly matches that of last summer right before we went in to our first surge.” Health care facilities in the area have been reporting a severe increase in symptoms, according to Linn, “We want you to be aware and keep an eye on case counts and ICU admissions.” Linn did say that the school dashboard put forth by the Arizona Department of Health Services last year will be in the moderate contagion zone. A first since March. The board also recognized the Navajo County Finance Department led by Finance Director Jason Vowell for receiving a recent award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award is given to municipal finance offices who display exemplary transparency and accuracy in their reporting. In other business, the board: * Recognized Probation Officer Scott Jamar for his retirement after 13 years and Superior Court Judge Ralph Hatch for his retirement after 36 years with the county. * Approved the purchase of three 10-wheel dump trucks with snow plows and cinder spreaders from RWC Group in the amount of $851,554. Funds will come from the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF). * Approved the warrant and voucher report over $1,000 for June. * Approved letters of sympathy to Supervisor Fern Benally, Ron Smith and Raymond Jackson. * Approved an amendment to a contract with Sunline Contracting, LLC for pavement markings. The amendment extends the contract for one year and increases the rate of four and six inch white and yellow lines by $.01 per linear feet. The total amount of the contract is not to exceed $463,302 with the funds to come from HURF. * Approved the annual memorandum of agreement for the Northeastern Arizona 911 User’s Association for processing bills, maintenance, equipment and special projects for the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Apache County Sheriff’s Office, Snowflake-Taylor Police Department, Show Low Police Department, Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department and White Mountain Apache Tribe. * Approved the sale of back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $14,812. * Approved a special event liquor license application to the Heber-Overgaard Chamber of Commerce for their annual Octoberfest to be held Sept. 24-25 at the Tall Timbers Park, located at 2774 AZ HWY 260. * Approved a contract with Century Link in the amount of $500 a month for flat rate internet service for County needs with a one-time payment of $4,000. * Approved a contract in the amount of $25,000 per session between the county and independent contractor, Terrence McCarthy to serve as a recruit training officer at the Northern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy. * Approved a contract in the amount of $4,720 with Cannon Consultants, LLC for professional consulting services on the Pinedale Road Covered Bridge repair project. * Approved a contract in the amount of $7,450 with Cannon Consultants, LLC for professional consulting services on the East Concho Highway culvert extension project. * Approved a contract in the amount of $9,740 with Cannon Consulting, LLC for professional consulting services on the Chevelon Creek Bridge repair project. * Accepted a grant in the amount of $93,173 from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission to provide financial assistance to victims of crime or others who may have experienced a financial loss as a direct result of a crime as well as provides partial salary for administers of funds. * Approved an agreement between the county and the Timberland Acres Special Road District; Northland Pioneer College; Sky-Hi Retreat Domestic Water Improvement District; and Wonderland Acres Domestic Water Improvement District to conduct elections. * Approved the reissuance of stale dated checks as refunds for over paid property tax or investment payments. * Approved a tax exempt waiver for widows or disabled persons whose property is exempt from tax. * Approved the appointment of the following as Republican Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts: Patricia Lynn Duran of Show Low; Fleta May Gladden of Lakeside; Carlie Sue Valichnac of Show Low; Adrienne Yvonne Rapp of Show Low; Jean Marie Majzlier-Amato of Show Low; Dean Lavere Cooley of Snowflake; George Richard Freeze of Show Low; and Maria Leticia Diaz of Snowflake. * Approved a cooperative purchasing agreement with Coconino Community College. * Approved an agreement between the county and the Arizona Department of Health Services continuing the providing of preventative services to the community including tobacco prevention education and teen health free of charge. * Approved Class A Bingo licenses applications for Overgaard RV Resort, located at 2750 Yates Road; and Ponderosa Park Social Club, located at 1664 Ponderosa Lane, Space 110 in Lakeside. Held a public hearing regarding a rezoning of an existing vacant property in Lakeside. No public comment was made and the board approved the change unanimously from A-General zoning to Commercial-Residential zoning. * Rejected the single bid received for the annual road maintenance contract for the Victory Heights Road Maintenance District and authorized the public works department to rebid the contract. * Heard a quarterly report from White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District from District Administrator Mark Honberger. In his report, he mentioned several recent activities including a bass fishing tournament and a fitness class on the beach of the lake. * Recognized the following for their service to Navajo County: Myron Jasmann of Public Works, Elizabeth Whitehorne-Benally of the Kayenta Constable’s Office, Glenn Kephart, Vicki Sutton of the Sheriff’s Office, Garrison Fawcett of the Sheriff’s Office and Katy Chee of the Health Department, each for five years; Tim Otterbeck of the facilities department for 10 years; Julia Karges of the Facilities Department and Veronica Hoskins of the Public Works Department, each for 15 years; and Timothy Toney of the Navajo County Jail for 20 years. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, in the board meeting room, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
