During the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 28, the board approved a development agreement with West Camp Wind Farm II, LLC for the development and operation of an up to 500-megawatt wind energy facility in Navajo County that would include up to 144 wind turbines.
In his presentation on the agreement, County Manager Bryan Layton explained that although some residents are against the agreement, it is a legal and lawful use of private property and is also in compliance with ordinance. “The development proposal meets or exceeds the requirements of the ordinance. It achieves meaningful performance to the board’s preferred criteria. It provides partnership to help the county mitigate community impacts.”
As to why this type of development is becoming common in the county, Layton explained that the natural resources, topography and state incentives make it attractive to renewable energy developers. “They [the state] provide an 80% reduction in the property tax for these developments.”
The county’s comprehensive master plan, which establishes standards and ordinances for renewable energy projects, was updated last year after extensive work to create comprehensive regulations on incoming development.
Despite public outcry alleging that the board rushing was the process, Layton explained that the county did more than what was required in terms of public outreach when making these regulations. “As a reminder, the board asked staff to conduct additional outreach and public hearings above and beyond what statute requires us to do,” added Layton there were additional community meetings and stakeholder interviews, as well as listening sessions and online comment portals that specifically pertained to the renewable ordinances in the plan.
Planning Manager Cody Cooper reviewed the West Camp Wind II Project. “As an overview, this would encompass approximately 52,444 acres, with the nearest part being approximately five miles southwest of Holbrook.” According to the presentation, design, signage and fencing meet or exceed ordinance standards.
Photo simulations were used to show the visual impact of the wind turbines, which was reduced due to the developer agreeing to increase the distance from residences to a minimum of one mile, rather than the half-mile requirement. Cooper also reviewed the other performance criteria, including proximity to substations/transmission lines, multiple uses of land, wildlife corridors and water. It was highlighted that very little water will be used to construct the wind farm.
It’s estimated that over the course of 30 years Joseph City, Holbrook and Snowflake school districts will receive $17.8 million; Northland Pioneer College, $5.77 million; Navajo County General Fund, $2.66 million; Flood control district, $810,000; Public Health District, $742,000; Library District, $296,000; and Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, $164,000.
Several county residents spoke out against the development agreement, including Holbrook City Councilmember Robert Black, citing visual pollution, road damage and lack of community outreach. “The communication that was sent, supposedly, that we all ought to be well informed of this, is not true at all,” adding that he got no information about this before seeing it on Facebook two days prior.
Cooper countered this, stating that there were two public meetings at the American Legion in Holbrook, both held on Aug. 27, of last year. “We do have a mandate that the meeting be notified to all neighbors within one mile with at least 15 days’ notice.” Notification went out July 28, 2025, and was posted in the Painted Desert Tribune a week prior to the meeting, which was an additional step not required of the applicant. A website was also created with project timelines, details and documents. Cooper added that the applicant also sent out further notifications through website updates, mailings and legal publishing notifications as required by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
In response to the demand by residents for the board to stop the wind farm from being built, Supervisor Jason Whiting asked County Attorney Brad Carlyon if the board is legally authorized to prohibit the project. “Bottom line answer: No.” Carlyon further explained that the board’s authorities lie in land use and zoning. “You can’t deny it unless there is a health, safety, or welfare issue.”
Chair Darryl Seymour also spoke on the work that was done to regulate incoming development. “The work that we did for two years to make it not easier, but to make it where we had more authority, which is already limited by the state. To make it more conducive and more neighborly to our people that we have.”
The board then entered executive session to discuss the development agreement, after which the agreement was approved.
Another executive session was held to review and fill the vacancy in Legislative District 7 in the Arizona House of Representative, following the resignation of Dave Marshall. Candidates were Lynn DeWitt, a Taylor Town councilmember, Tisha Carlisle, Snowflake Realtor and founding president of the Northeast Arizona Republican Women and former Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen. After public comment and an executive session, the board appointed Sylvia Allen. Allen will serve for the remainder of the current legislative term.
The board received a presentation from Travis Udall of the Little Colorado Medical Center (LCMC) based in Winslow. He presented on the services offered at LCMC, campus upgrades and future plans.
During call to the public Taylor property owner Brian Reidhead claimed that approximately $11,000 worth of building materials were stolen from his property without recourse. He explained that the case was sent to the Navajo County Attorney’s Office for prosecution, but the request was denied “In the interest of justice,” according to a letter Reidhead received. “My main question is this: why is this felony crime against me not going to be prosecuted by the Navajo County Attorney?” Chair Darryl Seymour advised Reidhead to follow up with County Attorney Carlyon on the issue.
The Snowflake High School varsity show cheer team were recognized for winning the Division III Varsity Show Cheer State Championship. Also recognized were 14 Navajo County student musicians who were selected to participate in the Arizona Music Educators Association High School All-State Festival.
DJ (David) Kellywood Jr. was honored for his straight A’s and perfect attendance at Blue Ridge Elementary School with a proclamation from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. Kellywood’s father was killed in the line of duty in 2020.
Navajo County’s Fiscal Year 2025 audit highlights were reviewed, which showed three findings that were considered as significant deficiencies. Two were in relation to IT controls and the third was treasurer’s bank reconciliation.
The board approved a proclamation declaring the week of May 3-9, as National Correctional Officers Week in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe. While convened as the Navajo County Public Health Services District, a proclamation for Navajo County Community Wildfire Preparedness 2026 was also approved by the board.
Following the Navajo County Community Wildfire Preparedness 2026 proclamation, the district approved the 2026 Navajo County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and received the annual wildfire outlook and preparedness update. The updated plan will provide a guiding document for local communities in the Wildland Urban Interface when applying for grants, considering future mitigation efforts and supporting continued community preparedness in the fight against the threat of wildfire.
The board also received a presentation regarding the ongoing development of the Navajo County Transportation Master Plan (TMP) being conducted by Kimley-Horn in coordination with Navajo County Engineering and Planning & Development Services. Project list refinement will conclude in May, followed by prioritization to be conducted through June. Policy recommendation development will also be conducted from May to June, then finally the TMP document development will be done August through October.
Supervisor Fern Benally was not in attendance for the meeting.
During the meeting, the board:
* Approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 fund transfers.
* Approved tax exemptions filed as a request of redemption of waiver.
* Approved a contract signed by the county manager with Attorney Ronald Washington for misdemeanor indigent defense services.
* Approved an amendment to the Navajo County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I-B Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Career Services Provider contract with Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. to extend the contract for an additional year to June 30, 2027.
* Approved an amendment to the Hauling Waste Tires contract with CRM of America, LLC to extend the contract one year to June 8, 2027.
* Approved an amendment to the County Overdose Prevention and Engagement legal defense services contract with the Law Offices of Jo Ellen Vork, PLLC to extend the contract one additional year to May 12, 2027.
* Approved the adoption of a resolution to cancel the elections for precinct committeeman positions and deeming them elected or vacant.
* Approved a letter of support for Cody Cooper for the NACo Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange.
* Approved a settlement with six remnant defendants in the National Opioid Litigation Navajo County is litigating in Ohio. This settlement is with Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies); J M. Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; Morris and Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company Inc.; and United Natural Foods. Inc. (including its subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logisics) and will require the defendants to pay $97.6 million to cities and counties nationwide in cash for purposes of abating the opioid epidemic. Navajo County’s portion of this settlement is small, with only about $23,365 estimated.
* Approved a resolution supporting the Superintendent of Schools Office to request $25,000 from Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation grant funds for development of the Navajo County Literacy Momentum Initiative.
* Approved an amendment to the Inmate Food Services contract with Trinity Services Group, Inc. removing the National School Lunch Program compliance standard.
* Approved Attachment H to Navajo Nation intergovernmental agreement for N41 roadway maintenance materials. N41 is located in the Forest Lake Chapter in Navajo County. Navajo Department of Transportation (NDOT) requested assistance with the purchase of Unique Patching Material (UPM) to fill in potholes that are causing safety concerns due to cars leaving their lanes to avoid them. The County will purchase the UPM and NDOT personnel will be responsible for scheduling and performing all maintenance activities related to the scope of work. Amount requested was $40,000.
Convening as the Navajo County Flood Control District, the board:
* Approved an amendment to the professional services contract for Task 3 Winslow Levee Survey with HDR Engineering, Inc to extend the contract to June 30, and increase the contract amount by $10,280 for a total contract price not-to-exceed $298,670 to cover unforeseen permits cost requirements by BNSF railway authority to perform aerial and field survey for the Winslow levee.
