During last week’s meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, Sheriff David Clouse made a presentation regarding a major grant his department was recently given. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) was awarded over $7 million in grants from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). This funding, aimed at combating border, immigration, and smuggling issues, marks a crucial step towards addressing the growing concerns about drug trafficking and related crimes in the area, whose implications reach beyond the county lines.
NCSO actively pursued a funding opportunity from AZ DEMA, in recognition of the escalating challenges within their jurisdiction. The grant, which spans retroactively from October 2022 through September 2027, is divided into two primary categories: prosecution and imprisonment, and border technology. This funding is particularly vital considering Navajo County’s strategic location near major highways that connect the southern border with the rest of the US.
For prosecution and imprisonment, just over $3 million has been allocated. This funding will support partial salaries and employee related expenses for three key positions, alongside the acquisition of essential equipment such as a Lucas Chest Compression System, an AED machine, and funds for a new Ford ADA-compliant jail transport. The border technology segment, awarded approximately $4 million focuses on technological advancements. It includes the procurement of mobile and portable radios, radio tower equipment for improved communication across eight sites, a rapid deployable cell tower, and advanced mapping and emergency medical dispatching software.
Sheriff Clouse’s remarks on the drug situation in Navajo County underscore the gravity of the challenges faced by NCSO. He noted the rapid escalation of the drug crisis, saying, “In 2018, most law enforcement officers probably couldn’t spell fentanyl.” The Sheriff’s Office witnessed its first major fentanyl seizure of about 6,000 pills in late 2019, and by the end of that year, the count had risen to 10,000 pills. Sheriff Clouse emphasized, “That is significant because one pill could kill somebody.” The situation, however, has worsened dramatically, with over two million pills seized in 2022 alone, illustrating the alarming growth of this crisis and the county’s crucial role in stemming the tide of drugs flowing into other areas of the nation.
The grant from DEMA is not just a financial boost, but a strategic enhancement of NCSO’s capabilities. With the funds, the office aims to effectively tackle the increasing drug-related challenges, especially concerning fentanyl, a potent opioid at the center of a national health crisis. Navajo County’s community stands to benefit significantly from this grant, as enhanced law enforcement capabilities mean not only better crime deterrence and resolution but also a safer environment for residents.
The board also discussed enhancing the county’s fiber optic infrastructure and approved a significant contract amendment with eX2 Technology, LLC, with whom they are working. This amendment includes two change orders, which address different aspects of the project’s design and environmental compliance.
Change order No. 1 focuses on design modifications to enhance the future expansion and capacity of the fiber optic project. This includes increasing the sizes of conduits and fibers for laterals off the main network. Additionally, this order mandates enlarging the size of 43 handholes in the project. Handholes are small, underground access points crucial for the installation, maintenance, and management of fiber optic cables. These larger handholes, positioned at splice locations, are integral to future network enhancements.
Change order No. 2 deals with the comprehensive environmental clearance requirements set by various permitting agencies, including the Arizona Department of Transportation, Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, and Arizona State Land Department. The environmental clearances required by these agencies are more extensive than eX2 initially anticipated. This order necessitates additional cultural resource field surveys, native plant surveys, and environmental support, especially to assist the United States Forest Service in preventing delays on its lands.
These environmental efforts will cost an additional $307,017, with an allowance of $92,166. This translates to slightly less than $3,000 per mile for the 105-mile project on top of the funds already allocated to the project. Initially, eX2’s contract assumed minimal environmental work would be needed. However, due to the age of previous environmental surveys and known cultural and biological concerns, a more thorough survey is required. The allowance in change order No. 2 is set aside for monitoring cultural sites during construction, as needed.
The supervisors also discussed an initiative in collaboration with the State of Arizona on a significant infrastructure project involving the replacement of the existing bridge on Shumway Road at Silver Creek, located south of Taylor. The estimated total cost of the project is $180,000, inclusive of federal aid and the county’s financial contribution. Within this budget, Navajo County is accountable for a portion of the initial project development administration costs, estimated at $1,710, and preliminary design expenses estimated at $8,550. Federal funds are anticipated to cover $169,740, with the county’s contribution rounding up to $10,260.
The State of Arizona is designated as the agent for Navajo County for this project, contingent upon approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the availability of funds. The state’s role includes administering the preliminary design phase, while final design and construction aspects of the project will be detailed in a separate subsequent agreement. Navajo County, as the local agency, will be responsible for covering any costs that exceed the initial estimate and those not encompassed by federal funding.
Also, the Navajo County Historical Society was honored with the 2023 Al Merito Award by the Arizona Historical Society at the meeting. This prestigious recognition, announced during the AHS Annual Membership Meeting and 50th Anniversary Al Merito Awards Celebration, applauds the county’s efforts in preserving and promoting Arizona’s rich history.
Board member Dawnafe Whitesinger commended the historical society for its role in educating tourists and locals alike, further enriching the community’s cultural heritage. The Arizona Historical Society noted that for a historical society of this size, the amount they are able to accomplish is very impressive. With only one part-time employee and several volunteers, they manage a museum that attracted over 15,000 visitors last year.
A presentation was also made to the Navajo County finance team for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and an Award of Financial Report Achievement.
In other business, the board:
* Tabled a resolution allowing for a Master Development Plan Amendment from an approved, approximately 508-unit, single-family residential development with commercial uses to be amended to allow for recreational vehicles/park models and manufactured homes for a total of 758 units along with amenities, accessory uses, and commercial uses in the Show Low Mountain Ranch Special Development within the White Mountain Lakes area.
* Approved a proclamation declaring November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month.
* Authorized acceptance of two grants from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, one for DUI enforcement for $33,600 and $12,600 for specialized traffic enforcement.
* Approved the purchase of 10 Chevrolet Tahoes for NCSO at a cost of $568,703.
* Authorized acceptance of a grant from Arizona Attorney General for the victim’s rights program for $26,800.
* Authorized acceptance of a grant from Arizona Department of Public Safety for victim’s advocates for $149,173 and a match requirement of $49,725.
* Approved the removal and abatement purging record of tax, penalty and interest on personal property taxes for properties deemed demolished.
* Approved the reissuance of stale dated checks.
* Approved contact with Ironside Engineering & Development Skylane Road Topo Survey Project at a cost of $3,800.
* Approved a letter to the National Forest Service requesting permission for two pickle ball courts to be installed at the Tall Timbers Park in Overgaard.
* Authorized the chairperson to execute Arizona Mutual Aid Compact, which allows members to share resources for emergency and disaster relief.
* Approved the petition for value change to parcel number 202-06-021A, full cash value (FCV) from $428 to $131,976 and the limited property value (LPV) from $259 to $64,581.
* Approved the petitions for value changes to the following properties: 111-02-003C FCV is now $33,467 and LPV is $19,000, 111-07-007B FCV is $23,235 and LPV is $13,212, 111-07-010A FCV is $24,727 and LPV is $14,060, 111-16-031A, FCV $832 and LPV is $2,224, 111-22-509B FCV is $3,911 and LPV is $2,224, 201-24-065 FCV is $10,721 and LPV is $19,984, and 201-31-004A FCV is $19,984 and LPV is $11,225.
* Approved the petitions of value change to the following properties: 111-02-008A FCV is now $90,549 and LPV is now $51,487 and 111-22-772A FCV is now $234,121 and LPV is $133,125.
* Approved the petitions of value changes to parcel number 202-13-016 FCV was $7,823 and is now $90,294 the LPV was $4,123 and is now $44,184.
* Approved petitions for value changes to parcel number 311-30-019B, the FCV is now 277,895 and LPV is 97,069; to parcel number 411-71-004, the FCV is now 475,028 and LPV is 281,664; to parcel number 409-04-048A, the FCV is now 217,811 and LPV is 122,762; to parcel number 404-01-004J, the FCV is now 237,991 and LPV is 123,042.
* Approved legal status change of parcel number 202-61-009 to primary residence.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation to reimburse the Navajo County an amount not to exceed $29,000 of eligible local match funds for a corridor study.
* Approved two special use permits to allow for the construction of a 62-foot and 95-foot monopole wireless communication towers and associated facilities on two vacant lots that are 2.50-acre and 8-acre respectively, in the White Mountain Lakes area.
*Approved a special use permit to Step Inn LLC, for a single-family residence and seven occupants to provide unmet housing and mental health needs of clients currently in and/or having recently completed inpatient and outpatient treatment programs in the Lakeside area located at assessor parcel No. 211-24-0578.
* Approved a special use permit for a 63 space RV Park on a 10-acre parcel in the White Mountain Lakes area.
* Approved a special use permit for Snowflake Solar, LLC., for a 1,000-megawatt solar generation facility and associated facilities on a 7,300-acre parcel located near Holbrook and Sun Valley on Jeffers Cattle parcel No. 104-03-005,102-23-01.
On Nov. 15, the board held a special meeting and approved the official canvass of the election conducted on Nov. 7, for Holbrook, Snowflake and Blue Ridge unified school districts.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
