Navajo County, in accordance with state law, has announced its plan to update the comprehensive plan to ensure coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development within the county. The purpose of the comprehensive plan is to conserve natural resources, promote the efficient use of public funds, and safeguard the health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the public.
The comprehensive plan, a living document subject to periodic amendments, serves as a guide for land-use decisions made by the Board of Supervisors, Planning and Zoning Commission, and county staff. It outlines the vision for the future, aiming to uphold the county’s customs, cultural heritage, and rural historical values while addressing future challenges. The plan emphasizes public involvement, incorporating feedback and ideas from residents to foster strong and vibrant communities in Navajo County.
With a population of 106,717 as of April 2020, as reported by the United States Census, Navajo County faces the complex task of accommodating its total population, considering the presence of second/vacation homes and a significant unaccounted “phantom” population. The county is committed to careful preparation to maintain its character and quality of life, which residents hold dear.
The update to the comprehensive plan will involve revising the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations and Requirements, ensuring alignment with the plan’s goals, policies, and concepts. The plan encompasses various character areas, which indicate generalized land-use and development concepts. It serves as a foundation for decision-making processes, aiming to strike a fair balance between conflicting interests and involving collaboration between political, social, economic, and educational institutions.
The upcoming amendment process will allow for both minor and major amendments, with major amendments requiring approval from the Navajo County Board of Supervisors. The public will have the opportunity to participate in the public hearing process and provide input on proposed changes. The county’s objective is to develop a comprehensive plan that promotes sustainable growth, protects existing land uses, and guides future development in a logical and orderly manner.
As Navajo County looks to the future, the updated comprehensive plan will play a crucial role in shaping the county’s development landscape, supporting economic growth, and ensuring the preservation of its unique cultural heritage and rural charm.
The supervisors also took a significant step in the search for a new county manager. The current county manager, Glenn Kephart, who had previously announced his forthcoming retirement, prompted the board to convene and discuss potential candidates to fill this vital position. During a private executive session, the board carefully reviewed applications from interested individuals seeking to assume the responsibilities of county manager. Following the session, the board approved progressing with the discussed applicants for further consideration. This development signals an important milestone in the process of finding a suitable successor to Glenn Kephart. The decision demonstrates the board’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and effective leadership for Navajo County.
The Board of Supervisors also approved two motions related to professional services contracts with Wilson & Company. The first motion was for the Joseph City Pedestrian Improvements Project. Wilson & Company will provide the necessary professional services to develop construction documents for this project.
The aim of the project is to enhance pedestrian circulation between Joseph City Elementary School and Joseph City Junior/Senior High School. It also includes improving pedestrian crossings at specified locations. The proposed improvements involve installing sidewalks along various streets and filling gaps to ensure a continuous pedestrian pathway. Only one location will have a curb or gutter, while all other sidewalk connections will be at grade.
The second motion approved by the board was for the Starlight Pavement Reconstruction Final Design in District IV. Wilson & Company will be responsible for engineering services to create construction documents for rehabilitating approximately 7,500 linear feet of existing roadway. The project will also evaluate the roadway geometry at intersections within the project limits, potentially requiring widening to improve vehicle off-tracking. Drainage improvements will be limited to the addition of embankment curbs to control sheet flows on the roadway. If necessary, extending cross culvert pipes for intersection widening will be included in the final construction documents.
Also during the meeting, the board congratulated the Show Low High School robotics team champions, Gilbert Soco and Trevor Owens, who were recognized for their remarkable achievements. Trevor, the president of the Varsity Robotics Team, secured first place in the state competition for technical drafting, demonstrating his exceptional skills with industry-level software. Gilbert, a senior at the school, impressed the board with his first-place win in the Principles of Engineering discipline, where he created a handheld rail gun powered by electric current and magnets. The board commended Gilbert and Trevor for their dedication, ingenuity, and outstanding performance, and wished them continued success as they prepare to represent the school in the upcoming national robotics competition.
In other business, the board:
* Authorized application for the Fill the Gap initiative to improve criminal case processing.
* Approved memorandum of understanding between Health Choice Arizona (HCA) and the county to facilitate communication about HCA patients who are in the county’s custody.
* Appointed Grant Evans to the Board of Adjustment representing District 1.
* Authorized acceptance of a $11,922 grant from the state for juvenile counseling for families that has a $2,981 match from the county.
* Approved tax waivers for widow, widowers and disabled residents.
* Approved a contract renewal with ExtraHop for cybersecurity products for one year at a cost to the county of $51,253.
* Approved an amendment to intergovernmental agreement between Pinal and Navajo counties’ local workforce development boards to purchase a subscription service from Burning Glass for better data collection and reporting at no cost to the county.
* Approved a contract renewal with CRM of America, LLC for the hauling of waste tires.
* Accepted surplus and seized vehicles and equipment and set a public surplus online auction for June 5-12.
* Approved a contract with Johnson Walzer Associates for professional services associated with the Pinedale Elementary School restoration project for $12,300.
* Approved a contract extension for delinquency cases at the public defender’s office with Belt Law Firm and The Brewer Law office for 30 days so the county can get the new contracts in place. The contract is for $6,875.
* Approved a contract to use $625,000 of Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Rural County Alternative Prosecution and Diversion program grant to develop a pre-trial diversion program for low-level nonviolent offenders.
* Approved a leasing agreement extension between the county and Quality Redi-Mix until May 2026. The contract is funded entirely by a grant from the Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
* Approved liquor license application for Aead Kayed for Overgaard Food Center.
* Approved a memorandum of agreement between the Arizona Department of Health Services and the county for use of CHEMPACK for nerve agent antidotes.
* Approved Task Agreement Number 31, 32, and 33 under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Navajo Region and Navajo County, authorizing funding assistance for gravel and asphalt materials on BIA Routes 8065, 602, and 60 & 15 within the Central Agency and Fort Defiance Agency.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
