The Navajo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last week to approve a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for additional time and an additional $1.4 million in funds provided by the City of Winslow and Navajo County to complete the feasibility study required to move forward on rebuilding the levee in Winslow. The total cost of the feasibility study once completed is now expected to be around $14 million, half of which is covered by the federal government and sponsored funds from the Corps of Engineers.

The project first came to light in 2008 following the hurricane Katrina disaster, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began reevaluating the safety of levees and decertified about 7.2 miles of the existing levee in Winslow.

Public safety is the most important reason to address the levee, which protects thousands of homes, schools and access for emergency services in a flood. It also protects vital national transportation routes like Interstate 40 and rail lines.

Although catastrophic flooding on the Little Colorado River is rare, the levee has failed twice in the last 25 years. Losing the levee’s 100-year certification created an unexpected financial hardship for many of the area’s homeowners, who were suddenly faced with increased insurance costs.

Colonel Gibbs of the Corps of Engineers spoke to the board in Holbrook regarding the ongoing Winslow Levee project. He assured that “it is a top priority for our region.” A new, dedicated project manager, Priyanka Wadhawan, was brought onboard to see the study through to completion.

The feasibility study addresses non-structural and engineered solutions for flood control, erosion control methods and prone areas, ecological impacts on habitats of native species, protection of historic cultural resources and designs to incorporate recreational features.

The project stalled temporarily due to the cost increase of completing the feasibility study and needing approval for the additional time to proceed. According to Gibbs, the Corps of Engineers required that a waiver request be applied for before continuing. Gibbs is hoping to see approval of the waiver request as early as November.

In preparation, the City of Winslow has been saving money designated for this project for more than three years. Currently it has enough saved to cover initial costs to move forward once the waiver is approved, but additional funding of $750,000 each from Navajo County and the city will be required to complete the study. A portion of Winslow’s additional costs will also be covered by the value of the land invested in the levee and with work-in-kind. Much of the rest will likely have to be financed.

Although in favor of the project, Board Vice Chairman Jesse Thompson pointed out to the colonel that, “We’re financially hurting here,” and that he hoped the Corps would do whatever it could to reduce the costs to citizens as much as possible.

The final cost of the project, which would begin construction in 2021, is now expected to be around $60 million, with the federal government paying two-thirds of the total costs, and Navajo County and Winslow splitting the remainder.

In other business Oct. 25, the board:

* Held a presentation to honor Sheriff KC Clark and Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon for receiving the 2016 Arizona Capitol Times Leader of the Year in Public Safety Award, and the Finance Department for receiving the award for Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

* Approved the continuation of current agreements for government relations and public relations services with Clarus for the county and the Eastern Arizona Counties Association. Funding is to come from the general fund in the amount of $28,800 and from the annual EAC fund in the amount of $36,000.

* Approved an agreement between the county recorder and Northland Pioneer College to conduct elections for a span of five years through Jan. 1, 2021.

* Authorized the county to work within Gila County at a cost of $25,000 for services and materials to repair Route 12 within Gila County that provides the primary access to the Navajo County community of Cibecue. A task agreement for this project was also approved.

* Approved a revision to a memorandum of understanding with the Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office that allows for the county to accept funding for conducting road maintenance and improvement with six chapters identified by the Navajo Nation, including Birdsprings, Dilkon, Indian Wells, Jeddito, Teesto and White Cone. The changes pertain to the title of an agreement with the Navajo Nation, a change of execution date and removal of one whereas clause that does not substantially affect the agreement. The intent and purpose of the agreement remains unchanged.

* Approved a contract with Susan Dutton, RDH, for dental hygiene services through the Navajo Nation Oral Health Program effective Oct. 1 to June 30, 2017, in the amount of $40 per hour.