The Navajo County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on May 14, to approve a Declaration of Emergency due to extreme fire danger, entering into Stage 1 fire restrictions which went into effect yesterday (Tuesday). The restriction pertains to the US Forest Service, Navajo County, Apache County, the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and the City of Show Low.
Stage 1 restrictions prohibit (including on private property) campfires unless in areas designated for that purpose, used only for cooking food or warmth, or for recreational purposes (campfires and charcoal fires), no smoking outside designated areas, and no using fireworks, explosive targets and tracer round ammunition.
In the regular board meeting on Tuesday, May 12, Joseph City resident Andrew Bushman addressed the board during call to the public to discuss his struggles with expanding his family farm and the inability to access irrigation. “Joseph City and part of McLaws Road are under what’s called a non-expansion district, as far as irrigation, that was placed in the 70s,” Bushman stated. According to Bushman, due to being a non-expansion district residents are not allowed irrigation rights that were not acquired prior to the 70s. Bushman expressed frustration that he’s unable to expand his farm due to these restrictions while data centers are being built nearby. “My pet peeve is I can’t expand, but yet go north and we’re putting in a data center that’s going to use hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day.”
Donna Wastchak, Liz Olmstead, Cheryl Piha, Belinda Quog and Robert Black spoke out against Real AZ and renewable energy projects such as the West Camp Wind Farm II coming into the county. Perkins Valley farmer Casey Murph also talked on how solar panels being installed on state trust lands will majorly affect his livelihood. “If I don’t have enough country to run cows after this happens, I don’t have any retirement and I’m going to be living off the taxpayer in my old age.”
At the end of the meeting, Supervisor Jason Whiting updated the board, stating that he will be continuing conversations with the county’s utility partners. “I have a meeting with APS (Arizona Public Service) tomorrow to discuss the Cholla Power Plant, kind of what they’re doing with that and the long-term outlook for Northern Arizona.” Whiting will also convene with Salt River Project regarding nuclear and other energy options. “I appreciate these organizations continuing to engage with our county as we work collaboratively on issues that impact economic development, infrastructure, reliability of jobs and long-term regional planning.”
Chair Darryl Seymour announced that in June the board will receive reports on some of the issues brought up during call to the public.
The Navajo County Public Works Fleet Maintenance Shop Team was honored, receiving the 2025 BABMT Local Innovation Award from the Arizona Local Technical Assistance Program for their work developing a Cold Mix Hot Plate Box Attachment Conversion system. The system is a cost-effective solution that improves winter asphalt patching operations. Rick Denton, Russ McCray and Gabe Carrizales make up the team that developed the system.
The board also recognized Navajo County’s “What America Means to Me” essay contest winners including Harper W., Abbey G., Ada Guevara and Jaden Melser. “These essays demonstrate that the future of Navajo County is bright, and we are in good hands,” stated Superintendent of Schools Rachael Lewis.
The board recognized Navajo County Family Advocacy Center Director Catherine Doyle, who recently receive the Guara Award for her efforts in serving the residents of Navajo County.
Following the meeting, the board hosted a work session during which public works projects were reviewed.
During the meeting, the board:
* Approved a new three-year contract with Microsoft, in the amount of $423,931 per year.
* Approved the reissuance of a stale dated check to Ziad Mustafa.
* Approved annual cost allocation for each special district.
* Approved the National Forest Funds distribution of $833,169 for the benefit of public schools, public roads and Firewise.
* Approved the County Superintendent of Schools’ recommended distribution of Secure Rural Schools Title I funds for the benefit of public schools. This payment for federal fiscal year 2025 includes Title I and Title III allocations. Snowflake Unified School District (USD), $139,098; Heber-Overgaard USD, $241,051; Show Low USD, $240,786; Blue Ridge USD, $90,945; and Navajo County Education Service Agency, $50,000.
* Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Prison Rape Elimination Act Victim Advocacy Services between Navajo County Probation Department and the Navajo County Family Advocacy Center to ensure that detained juveniles who are victims of sexual abuse have timely access to victim advocacy services.
* Approved tax exemptions filed as a request for redemption of waiver.
* Approved poll workers and voting centers for the primary/general election and a polling location contingency plan.
* Approved the appointment of Kirby Dennis Myers and Shawn Stewart Layden as Republican precinct committeeman for their respective precincts. Appointments valid through Oct. 1.
* Approved letters of congratulations to the Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot participants from Navajo County Miiya Fusion and Tucker Orton.
* Approved a MOU between Yavapai County and Navajo County, and a business associate agreement between Yavapai County and Navajo County, and Kyndryl Inc. and Navajo County to work together toward the mutual goal of reducing recidivism with the implementation of a Reentry Program Database.
* Approved sympathy letters to Octavia McCauley and Brandon Damron.
