At last week’s Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Capital Projects Manager Grant Evans presented an update on the county’s various capital projects. Categories presented were construction projects that have been completed, those that are still in progress and planned upcoming projects.
Construction projects that have been completed include:
* Navajo County complex rehabilitation completed October 2024, for a total of $489,000, 70% grant funded.
* Clay Springs Community Center roof replacement completed December 2024, for a total of $162,000, entirely grant funded.
* Pinedale Elementary School restoration completed January 2025, for a total of $185,000, 55% grant funded.
Construction projects that are still in progress include:
* Broadband, with a target completion date of July 2025, projected to cost $20 million, nearly entirely grant funded.
* Code enforcement facility stated December 2024, with a target completion date not yet known, projected to cost $5 million, 60% grant funded.
* Pinetop-Lakeside Senior Citizens Center roof replacement started January 2025, with a target completion date not yet known, projected to cost $78,000, entirely grant funding.
Upcoming projects that are not yet in construction include:
* County complex entry monument sign, which is awaiting an Arizona Department of Transportation permit.
* County complex public service counters, currently in the design phase, which is 95% complete.
* County complex master plan was noted as coming soon.
* Navajo County Historical Courthouse window replacement design starting soon to replace 12 of 27 windows and will utilize a $79,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
The board approved awarding the Navajo County Public Health Competency-Based Workforce Development Plan contract to Ascendient Healthcare Advisors. The purpose of the contract is to retain a consultant who has knowledge and expertise in providing public health workforce assessment and planning services for public health workforce development, succession planning and competencies for Navajo County. Services are estimated to begin on Jan. 15, and must be completed by June 15, with the final plan and correlating competencies provided to Navajo County Public Health Services District. This plan will allow Navajo County to measure and ensure the competence of Navajo County’s public health workforce and provide a professional development framework and tools. The contract cost shall not exceed $76,000. Ascendient Healthcare Advisors was the only proposal received.
Public Works Director Madhav Mundle presented on the County’s Waste Tire Program. The county was also awarded the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) Bronze Award by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for achieving sustained compliance with environmental laws for a three-year history. The VESP Bronze Award is in recognition of Navajo County’s waste tire facilities for making a demonstrated effort to comply with the regulations.
The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Arizona, Department of Transportation for the Silver Creek Drive and Silver Lake Blvd. in District III.
An application from Concho Animal Advocates for a Class B Bingo License was also approved. Located at the Cedar Hills Senior Center, located at 9419 E. Concho Highway, in Snowflake.
Following the regular meeting, the board entered executive session to receive legal advice from its attorney regarding a civil action filed by SBA Communications Corporation regarding their denial of SBA’s application for a special use permit. Following the executive session, the board reconvened and gave direction to the County Attorney’s Office to file a response in the civil action. No further information was provided.
The board also:
* Authorized acceptance of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family’s STOP Grant for $83,397, with a match requirement of $27,799 from the general fund. This grant pays for the Navajo County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator supporting victims of sexual assault. The purpose of SART is to provide a coordinated and compassionate response to incidents of sexual assault.
* Approved the State of Arizona Federal Fiscal Year 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Local Consent Agreement for an amount just over $5 million. This agreement redirects Federal funding to allow cybersecurity licenses, a Security Operations Center (SOC), and professional/managed services to support the Statewide Cyber Readiness program.
* Approved the renewal of the website agreement with Civic Plus for $32,088 for one year.
* Approved the settlement agreement and release in case involving Hunter, et al. versus Navajo County Fair, Inc. et al., with no further details provided.
* Approved the FY 2024 year-end transfers that were included in the fiscal year budget for the fund reconciliations.
* Adopted the Board of Supervisors proposed Policies and Procedures, which are designed to promote a deeper understanding and respect for the democratic process, ensure compliance with relevant laws, encourage public engagement and establish clear guidelines for decorum. These policies aim to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of board meetings, outline staff support roles and provide clear guidance on the responsibilities of the chair, vice chair and board members.
* Approved the Dependency Alternative Program Advisory Attorney Agreement; Sentinel Technologies, four-year plan contract with Workforce 180; medical malpractice insurance for the county’s medical director Dr. Brian Goodman; and Historic Courthouse Window Replacement Phase 1.
* Approved contracts signed by County Manager Bryan Layton pursuant to Board of Supervisors Resolution: Change Order No. 1 to Pinedale Elementary School Restoration Project, which provides for scope changes that were made during construction. This change order increases the contract an additional $21,360 for a total contract price of $184,851.
* Approved the amendment to the Inmate Commissary and Resident Banking Services Contract with Summit Food Services, LLC awarded Nov. 12, 2024. Summit requested some terms of the contract be clarified. Additionally, the resident banking services will be managed by Navajo County’s inmate telephone vendor at no additional cost for the duration of its contract.
* Authorized sympathy letters to Doris Yazzie, Shannon Shannon, Christopher Stapley, Crystal Castillo, Kelly Palmer and the family of Deputy Steve Cocking.
* Approved the conducting of a board member election for Timberland Acres Domestic Water Improvement District on March 11.
* Approved the conducting of a board member election for White Mountain Lakes Special Road District on May 20.
* Tabled the 2025 supervisors committee assignments until the next meeting.
Convening as the Navajo County Public Health Services District (NCPHSD), the board:
* Approved the data sharing agreement between NCPHSD and Arizona Department of Health Services for routine data sharing.
* Approved a contract between NCPHSD and AVERHealth for collection of laboratory samples for individuals required by the Division of Child and Family Services.
* Approved an amendment to the nurse practitioner contract with Jaskiranjit Hanson, FNP for public health medical provider services.
* Approved an amendment to the cooperative agreement for animal impoundment services between NCPHSD and Pet Allies.
