History plays a role in board’s decision regarding liquor license application

Although it was believed that the Love’s gas station had requested two liquor licenses in years prior, it was discovered to had not ever reached a formal request. Resident Karilyn Bushman explained that the arguments against Love’s acquiring a liquor license when it was built in 1997-98 and then again years later were done within the community. “I did see that signs that were posted in those two situations, but the community did a very public uprising against the liquor license.”

Andrew Bushman also spoke on how liquor being sold in the town may poorly affect residents, especially those who live in the rentals he provides near the business. “I also believe this is adding additional burden to the citizens of Joseph City, one we’ve never faced.” Bushman did concede possible faults in his perspective, stating “Some of this may be out of ignorance. It’s been a dry town since before the county was a county, before the state was a state.”

Dillard Atuell, who is the gas station’s general manager, spoke in favor of the liquor license. “As far as the liquor license goes, in the state of Arizona, Love’s has not had any violation in over 15 years with any of their locations.”

Before the board’s decision, County Attorney Brad Carlyon outlined the legal basis the board had to recommend approval or denial of the license, explaining that part of their position is to evaluate the impact on the community. “If I’m understanding correctly, part of the difference in this is we’re not the decision-making body. What we’re being asked to do is gauge the temperature, the decision-making body is the liquor board.”

Carlyon was impressed with the community’s data driven arguments, stating, “Just as a public outcry, that they don’t want alcohol within the area where the license is being applied for, usually does not have much sway with the liquor board. But if there are objective facts that can show an adverse impact to a community, then they might listen to it.”

The advice Carlyon gave to the board if they wished to recommend denial was to include the local petition and crime data for the community, as well as the board’s reasoning.

Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger noted another reason to maintain the town’s status quo would be for historical relevance. “I think one of the things that is unique here is that you are probably one of the only communities, maybe within Arizona, that is a dry town. That in of itself is historical.”

Board members brought up other potential issues, with Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai noting the territorial road in town that leads to the Navajo Nation, which is not as heavily monitored by law enforcement as the interstates, and Supervisor Fern Benally pointed out the lack of sidewalks around the truck stop.

Supervisor Jason Whiting reminded residents that although they recommended denial, residents should still speak out to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, who makes the ultimate determination.

Following public outcry about the county’s connection with REAL AZ, County Manager Bryan Layton presented on economic development within the county and the use of REAL AZ branding

“Arizona counties are specifically authorized by Arizona Revised Statute 11-254 to utilize public monies and resources to further economic development. Sharing information about Navajo County, including its advantages in terms of natural resources, infrastructure and labor force can help bring jobs to our community, and we’re proud to help grow our communities.” Layton also cited that counties are authorized to work with public entities to provide services.

Layton explained how Navajo County transitioned from partnering with nonprofit entities to a regional partnership model. “Navajo County has since conducted all financial transactions and furtherance of its economic development efforts as an operational activity of the county.”

As directed by the board, county staff assessed the structure and operations of the economic development, including REAL AZ branding. “As a result of that assessment, staff identified three areas to more clearly formalize and clarify the regional economic development partnership.”

Lack of formal agreements among participating entities, lingering elements of prior nonprofit structure and branding ambiguity with REAL AZ were listed, following with actions to clarify each issue.

Layton clarified that the county’s regional partnership is not a legal entity or a regulatory authority and has no independent legal status. “As a regional partnership for government entities, activities are carried out by employees and elected officials who act in their official capacities,” he explained, adding that no separate employment or compensation is derived from the partnership.

Several county residents spoke in regard to the presentation and REAL AZ, including Lisa Vincenti, who claimed board members were part of secret non-disclosure agreements and land deals but presented no evidence to that effect.

Belinda Quog also addressed the item, during which she spoke over Chair Darryl Seymour multiple times and was reprimanded for addressing other topics. She made claims that the board tried to hide public meetings and were supporting ulterior motives. “We demand that you guys should resign.” Following her comments, she began to loudly address others in the room.

Chair Seymore stopped Quog, then stated, “Nothing from REAL AZ has pushed anything towards this board. And your secret meetings that you call, that is not true.” Seymour also addressed the constant demand by citizens to implement a moratorium on renewable projects. “You know what’s interesting, the same people that criticize us, they ask us to commit to a mortarium on a utility scale renewal approvals, formal consideration of a stronger protection such as the one-mile setback from property lines. We did that.”

Seymore explained how the county took a year and half to analyze ordinances to improve protection, citing examples of the work that was done. He even touched on REAL AZ, saying “There are some things that we have clarified, and there are some changes that we have made.”

The chair also noted how many of those speaking on wind and solar are from a different region of the county where this is being developed and may lack clarity. “A lot of you guys are from Show Low, from Pinetop. A lot of you people aren’t here, haven’t lived here through all of this. Our predecessors set a precedence of having wind farms in the area. We used to have a calling card at our front door, and that was a wind blade. We removed that,” he said referencing the wind turbine blade that was once at the entrance to the Holbrook Governmental Complex.

The board adopted the proposed tentative budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 for Navajo County following a presentation by Finance Director Jayson Vowell. Priorities listed for the budget include financial strength and stewardship, structurally balanced budget, flat primary and secondary property tax rates, support operations and services, and employee, infrastructure and equipment investments. Tentative budget highlights included capital improvements, IT and software enhancements, new positions and staff compensation. The FY 2026 budget totaled approximately $247 million and FY 2027 totaled approximately $258 million. A public hearing will be held during the next meeting on June 23.

Director of Planning and Development Services Mischa Larisch provided a presentation on the A Home of My Own program. “A Home of My Own program is a program that was developed to help assist with workforce housing shortages within Navajo County,” explained Larisch. The program provides six single-family home plans that are available at no cost for anyone to use to build their home within Navajo County’s jurisdiction. “There’s a cost savings that our constituents will recognize, and the minimum savings that they will recognize is $2,275,” he stated, adding that the plan review fee is also waived due to the plans having already undergone review.

The plans range from 576 sq. ft to 1,613 sq. ft. To learn more about Navajo County’s A Home of My Own page, visit the Navajo County website at www.navajocountyaz.gov.

During call to the public for non-agenda items, Michael Pizze, Liz Olmstead and Donna Wastchak all spoke requesting action on renewable energy and data center related projects, asking that all work be paused until the stricter regulations they would like to see are implemented.

During the meeting, the board:

* Approved tax exemptions filed as a request for redemption of waiver.

* Approved an agreement between the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Arizona Attorney General to support the operation of the existing coordinated reentry planning services program. The State of Arizona, Senate, Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session 2025 and Senate Bill 1735 appropriated the Attorney General’s Office $10 million from opioid claims-related monies deposited in the consumer remediation sub-account of the consumer restitution and remediation revolving fund. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office has been provided funding in the amount of $2 million to support the operation of their existing coordinated reentry planning services program through June 30, 2027, after which any excess funds shall be returned.

* Approved FY 2027 Court Fill the Gap funding application, which is used to improve criminal case processing.

* Approved the appointment of John Paul Roy as Republican Precinct Committeeman for his respective precinct.

* Approved contracts signed by the County Manager Layton for professional services with Attorney Ronald Washington for misdemeanor indigent defense services.

* Approved a contract for prosecutor services with Center for Rural American Justice for two open Attorney III positions.

Convening as the Board of Directors, the board:

* Adopted the Tentative FY 2026-27 Budgets for: Navajo County Public Health Services District, Navajo County Library District, Navajo County Flood Control District, White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District, Silver Creek County Road Improvement District, Victory Heights Road Maintenance District, Porter Mountain Domestic Water Improvement District, Fawnbrook Domestic Water Improvement District, Joseph City Street Lighting Improvement District, Navajo County Jail District, Timberland Acres Special Road District, White Mountain Lakes #2 Special Road District and Silver Creek Flood Protection District.

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

* Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Navajo County Public Health Services District and the Arizona Department of Health Services. Changes include additional clarification regarding the role of Engaging Families and Young Adults, which encourages incorporating individuals with lived experience into program planning activities. Budget line items were adjusted to better align with program needs, and the allowable transfer between budget categories was reduced from 25% to 10% of the total budget. There are no significant changes to the scope of work or overall funding.