Navajo County Clerk of the Board Melissa Buckley (left) has retired after 29 years of service to the county. Taking her place will be Leah Thomas (right), who has served the county administration for many years.
Navajo County Clerk of the Board Melissa Buckley (left) has retired after 29 years of service to the county. Taking her place will be Leah Thomas (right), who has served the county administration for many years. Photo courtesy of Navajo County
Navajo County administrators and board members bid a fond farewell to Melissa Buckley, who has served as the clerk of the board for the past 17 years. Pictured are (left to right) County Attorney Brad Carlyon, County Manager Bryan Layton, Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger, Supervisor Jason Whiting, Wayne Buckley, Melissa Buckley, Supervisor Fern Benally, Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai and supervisor Daryl Seymore.

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting last Tuesday, where board and staff honored Melissa Buckley on her retirement.

Tears were shed by many as Buckley was recognized for her 29 years of service to Navajo County, the last 17 of which were as Clerk of the Board.

“I wanted to take a few moments here in our public meeting to recognize and honor someone whose meant a great deal to this board, to Navajo County and to me personally, our Clerk of the Board Melissa Buckley,” said Board Chair Jason Whiting, “She has been someone we could all rely on. Steady, thoughtful and committed to doing things the right way. She embodies the very best of what we hope Navajo County represents.”

Since 1994, Buckley worked in the Assessor’s Office, Clerk of the Superior Court, Public Health Department and administration prior to her position as board clerk.

Buckley expressed gratitude for her time working for the county and thanked those who supported her. “I truly believe my calling is in service and I’m so grateful that I have lived that out here in Navajo County,” she ended her statement saying, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve with you.”

Following a standing ovation, each member of the board offered their heartfelt thanks to Buckley for her years of service. “Thank you for all that you have shared with me and for all that you have taught me,” Dawnafe Whitesinger stated, “You will be missed.”

Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai offered his gratitude as well, saying, “Your collaborative efforts to three Native American tribes have fostered strong relationships and mutual understanding, contributing significantly to our communities progress.”

Former supervisor Jesse Thompson, who served on the board for 28 years, joined the meeting via phone to honor Buckley as well, thanking her for her work and congratulating her on her retirement. “You represented the people in Navajo County in the most honorable way.” Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, previous supervisors J.R. DeSpain, David Tenney and others also offered their gratitude and love for Buckley as she moves on to this new stage of her life.

The board appointed Leah Thomas to take Buckley’s place as the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, effective Dec. 15. “I have full confidence in her ability to step into this position and serve with the same commitment to excellence that this role requires,” stated Buckley in her recommendation.

A presentation was also held for Jeff Lineberry in honor of his retirement after working for the county for 25 years in the Information Technology (IT) department. “Over the past 25 years, Jim has built a vast depository of knowledge, making him the de facto gatekeeper of institutional knowledge in the IT department,” stated his coworker Tom Franklin, “He has enhanced the reliability of critical systems, supported major infrastructure improvements, contributed to emergency management operations and significantly strengthened the county’s security posture.” Lineberry expressed his gratitude for the atmosphere of collaboration and curiosity for improvement the county provided, saying “This has been the most exciting place I have worked at for 25 years. I’ve enjoyed it and I will miss each and every one, past and present, that was part of this journey.”

During call to the public, Boyd Britton spoke about his concerns for some flooding issues in the Linden Trails Subdivision. Steve Bennett also spoke in regard to the Linden Trails, focusing on issues of erosion following work done in the area and requested the board to look further into the matter.

* Approved contracts signed by the county manager for a professional contract for indigent defense services with Jo Ellen Vork, Holbrook Justice Court.

* Approved anti-racketeering evolving funds donation of $500 to Holbrook High School choir program for an upcoming high school musical Tuck Everlasting. The agenda noted that the donation will help prevent youth crime and substance abuse by investing in proactive community-based engagement.

* Approved reissuance of stale dated checks. Treasurer’s checks were issued as refunds for overpaid property taxes or for investor payments. Checks were voided because they had been outstanding for a year or more.

* Approved contracts signed by county manager/assistant county manager for two change orders for RestorePro for the code enforcement facility project, Johnson Walzer Associates, LLC contract amendment and EX2 Technology, LLC change order for fiber optic infrastructure.

* Approved presiding Judge of the Superior Court appointments for justices of the peace pro tempore and juvenile hearing officers for 2026.

* Approved an amendment of the professional real estate services contract with Jeffery Millett, SEI Real Estate Professionals, extending the contract term one additional year.

* Approved an amendment to the contract with Show Low Ford for the vehicle replacement plan contract to amend the model and price for an all-wheel drive compact SUV. Per Show Low Ford, the manufacturer has closed ordering of the 2026 Ford Escapes, and it is unknown if Ford will continue to manufacture this model. The amendment adds pricing of a substitute model, the Ford Bronco Sport all-wheel compact SUV.

* Approved an amendment to Winslow Levee Survey contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. to extend contract term by three months. The contract sum is not modified.

* Approved the appointment of Matthew Michael Race, Ferdinando Dino Maitilasso, Domennick Matthew Stevens, Jose “Frank” Gonzalez and Maria Elena Gonzalez as Republic Precinct committee members for their respective precincts. Valid through Oct. 1, 2026.

* Approved awarding of contract for the supply and delivery of roadway materials to the Navajo Nation to Brimhall Sand Rock and Building Materials, Inc. in the amount of $113,473. The county will purchase aggregate base materials for placement of approximately two miles of the route N9806, and Navajo Division of Transportation will perform all the work associated with the placement of the aggregate base material for the roadway. Funds are budgeted in the District II Special Road funds, fiscal year 2026.

Convening as the Navajo County Public Health Services District, the board:

* Approved agreements between Contexture Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Public Health Services District to enable access to healthcare records to assist in death and infectious disease investigations and access to the CommunityCares referral platform for community healthcare workers. The agreements included an HIE participation agreement, statement of work, HIE special terms and conditions for public health authority, special terms and conditions for medical examiners and coroners, and CommunityCare access agreement.

Convening as the Navajo County Flood Control District, the board:

* Approved an amendment to the full house lane box culvert contract with Perkins Cinders, Inc. for a necessary change in materials and construction to the box culvert along Full House Lane in Show Low. The additional amount for the amendment changes is $49,412. Funds are budgeted in the Flood Control District budget.