Supervisors hear overview on the use of county grant funding for the year

Maruyama detailed the county’s grant management process, noting the decentralized approach where each department is responsible for developing and managing its own grants without a centralized monitoring system. This structure has contributed to an impressive success rate, with Maruyama reporting, “In the last fiscal year, I was involved in 15 grant development projects. Eight grant awards were made and approved by the board, and six were on the way. And there was one application that didn’t get approved by the funder. So, the 93%, the 14 out of 15 proposals, I would say being successful.”

The presentation covered a range of grant-funded projects across various departments. Maruyama highlighted several key areas, including public health, infrastructure, and environmental health.

“We have $1.9 million in overdose prevention and engagement grants,” he noted, adding the programs have been instrumental in connecting high-risk individuals to immediate intervention and treatment services. Additionally, Maruyama discussed infrastructure projects such as sidewalk work and multi-use paths around schools in Heber, bridge upgrades in White Mountain Lakes, and the Middle Mile Project, a broadband infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity across the county. He remarked, “This project will certainly serve as an economic growth engine for the county that wouldn’t be possible without these grant funds.”

Board members expressed unanimous support for the grant teams, with Supervisor Daryl Seymore commending Maruyama and his colleagues for their effective grant writing and management.

During the meeting, Public Health Director Janelle Linn gave a presentation to the board that outlined several approved projects aimed at addressing different aspects of the opioid crisis. One such initiative is the Peer-Based Reentry Project managed by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. She explained, “This is a peer-based recovery program that allows provision of recovery-oriented services in custody with limited resources, using peer-based counselors.” Linn emphasized the effectiveness of peer support, stating, “Evidence proves that if someone has a peer, someone who’s in recovery and who has been through this themselves, walking them through, they are far more likely to be successful in their recovery.”

Another significant project discussed was the expansion of naloxone distribution to enhance overdose prevention efforts. Linn stated, “The purpose of their project is to develop and maintain data collection and dissemination tools that would provide us with the ability to collect even more local data, real-time data so that we can make real-time decisions and to expand our current opioid programs.” This initiative would increase the county’s ability to get people the services that they need.

Additionally, Linn highlighted efforts to expand youth prevention education and specialized training for 911 dispatchers to better handle overdose emergencies. “Our recommendations from the Fatality Review Teams include enhancing universal training and improving care coordination post-release by performing warm handoffs to address substance use disorder treatment, medical care, and mental health services.” These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to reduce the incidence of opioid-related deaths and support individuals in recovery.

In other business, the board:

*Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Sun Valley Fire Department to lease space at the Adamana radio site shelter at a cost of $150 a month.

* Authorized acceptance of a $250,000 grant from the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program to hire an accreditation manager.

* Authorized acceptance of a $17,366 grant and a $24,000 grant from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for employee expenses and overtime expenses related to DUI enforcement respectively.

* Approved a memorandum of understanding with Arizona Complete Health to outline protocol for continuity of care for adults and children under supervision of the Navajo County Jail.

*Approved a lease agreement with the City of Holbrook for an equipment storage and meeting place for Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse Search & Rescue team at an annual lease cost of $1.

* Approved a law enforcement agreement with the Navajo Nation to prevent any jurisdiction from becoming a sanctuary for perpetrators of crimes in the others’ jurisdiction.

* Authorized acceptance of two grants from Arizona Criminal Justice Commission both in the amount of $22,119.55 for victim services and requiring a 25% match.

* Authorized acceptance of a grant from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for $198,898 for victims’ services and requires a match of $49,725.

* Approved a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association to reduce costs of individual purchases.

* Approved an award of contract to bid winner Show Low Ford for the vehicle replacement program on a “as needed” basis.

* Approved a back tax land parcel sale for $428,106 and authorized to publish the notice scheduling the 2024 Back Tax Land On-Line Auction to begin Jan. 20-27, 2025, as well as an online public surplus auction for Nov. 11-18.

* Appointed Carey Wagoner, James Anthony Massaro, Michael Douglas Hall, Fernanda James and Patricia Anne Bocchio as Republican Precinct Committee members for their respective precincts.

* Approved change to professional services with EX2 Technology to provide additional construction associated with the broadband infrastructure project at Airport Loop Road at a cost of $84,960.

* Approved a proclamation declaring November as National Native American Heritage Month.

* Approved an agreement between the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and the City of Show Low for a de-annexing and annexing of territory from Pinetop-Lakeside to Show Low.

* Approved a request for a uniform video license for Cable One doing business as Sparklight.

* Approved contract with Restore Pro, Inc., for the construction of a Navajo County Code Enforcement Facility in Taylor at a total cost of $5.6 million.

* Approved amendment to an intergovernmental agreement with Arizona Department of Health Services to extend the length of the contract and update costs requested to $456,893.

* Authorized acceptance of two grants from Homeland Security for equipment and radios, one for $11,532 and one for $11,000.

* Approved an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Health Services to allotting up 2% of the budget to be used on incentive and promotional items.

* Authorized acceptance of a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for $19,773.00 to support car seat classes and other awareness education.

* Approved a final plat amendment to rename the portion of the Forest Trails Unit III Subdivision previously referred to as Forest Trails Unit IIIB to Forest Trails Unit IV.

* Approved a special use permit for construction and operation of a 450-mw solar power generation facility and battery storage by Lark Point Solar, LLC, on approximately 7,119 acres located southwest of Joseph City.

* Approved participation in the Community Rating System, a voluntary program that rewards communities for implementing floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum the National Flood Insurance Program requirements.

* Approved land purchase agreement with Michael C. Burdick Sr. and Carol D. Burdick for $10,000 near Pond Drive and Forrest Avenue in Show Low.

The board went into executive session to discuss the contract for Navajo County Manager Brian Layton. Upon reconvening, the board approved the manager’s performance contract, and gave authorization for the county manager to work out the details of the contract and present it at the next board of supervisor’s meeting.

The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook.