The Navajo County Board of Supervisors met last week and included on the agenda were agreements pertaining to American Rescue Plan Act grant funds awarded to the county and allocated to a number of entities within the county to serve the citizens.
This included an agreement between the county and the Town of Snowflake for funds in the amount of $200,000 to assist in funding improvements to an existing trail system that is estimated to cost $1 million, and another for the Kayenta Township in the amount of $16,000 for improvements on the Kayenta Fire Department.
Other grant agreements included those with Rim Country Senior Center for funds in the amount of $65,000 for facility improvements that will increase access to health and social services and help the center serve seniors, people with disabilities and home bound residents in Heber-Overgaard, and another with White Mountain Coalition Against Homelessness for funds in the amount of $100,000 to begin building small homes to continue their efforts in transitional housing.
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brian Swanty addressed the board requesting a proclamation declaring the week of May 1-7 as National Correctional Officers’ Week in Navajo County.
He said, “This week has been dedicated to the recognition of our correctional officers. Here at Navajo County, we don’t call them that, we call them detention deputies. There are about 75 deputies inside the jail and the work that these men and women do is a critical component of the overall criminal justice system,” adding that there are about 300 inmates daily inside the Navajo County Jail. The proclamation was approved by the board unanimously.
In other business, the board:
* Recognized the employees of the month and those who have been employed by the county for extended periods. Employees displaying excellence in performance in April were Randy Housel of jail operations and Jeremy Young of the Assessor’s office.
Employees congratulated for their continued employment by the county were Randall Walton for five years, and Christine Frayer, Mariclare Hannah, Donna Hurstrom and Michael Sandoval for 15 years.
* Approved a letter of sympathy to Elisha Johns-Eberly.
* Approved tax exemptions for widowed or disabled persons whose property is exempt from tax.
* Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for Precinct Committeeman positions and deeming them elected in their respective party and precinct. The number of persons filing nominating petitions for election is less than or equal to the number of positions available.
* Approved a grant application for the Court Field Trainer for fiscal year 2023 in the amount of $67,958 to assist in funding a local field trainer.
* Appointed Vance Murder to the Board of Adjustments.
* Approved a liquor license application for Angel McGovern at 260 Brewery, located at 2279 State Route 260 in Overgaard.
* Approved a third amendment to the agreement between Silver Creek Irrigation District and White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District. Silver Creek Irrigation District is the owner of Daggs Reservoir, also known as White Mountain Lake. The original agreement addresses water levels and rental fees for the use of the water for the lake. This amendment extends the agreement for an additional 10-year term at $64,100 annually.
* Adopted a resolution approving a special use permit for Overgaard RV storage with 140 units. The property is located on Mogollon Drive off Highway 277. This item was subject to a public hearing in which no public comment was made.
* Approved an amendment to a contract with Hatch Construction and Paving, Inc. for hot asphaltic concrete pavement overlay. The amendment allows for a price increase of $10.13 per ton for the remaining asphalt needs due to the rising cost of oil. Funding for the price increase will be covered by Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF).
* Approved a service agreement with Sparklight to provide fiber optic ethernet to county buildings in Show Low, Winslow, Snowflake and Pinetop.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, in the board chambers, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
