Board of Supervisors vote to keep current election precincts

In the presentation by Navajo County Elections Director Rayleen Richards, it was mentioned that this became a significant problem for voters in certain precincts before switching to a 14-precinct model. Additionally, more precincts elevate the likelihood of errors and pose challenges in finding adequate precinct committeemen. Although there were initial suggestions to augment the number of precincts in the preceding meeting, after extensive deliberation, the decision leaned towards retaining the 14 precincts. Instead, they will keep the voting center model, enabling voters to cast their votes at any location within Navajo County. This approach offers residents the flexibility of voting closer to their workplaces, irrespective of where they live, thus eliminating the precinct provisional entirely. The Navajo Department of Justice has previously commended Navajo County for this innovative voting model and has even sought their assistance to implement it in Apache County. Board member Daryl Seymore spoke on the issues, saying that the voting system in the county works and that the county should keep it as is, which is ultimately how the rest of the board voted as well.

Shifting gears to another agenda point, the permit issuance for 5G wireless towers was discussed. Two permits were up for deliberation; one for a 5G tower in Linden and another in the White Mountain Lakes area. The community’s concerns were vocal, with several members including David Smith from the White Mountain Lakes region and Kathy Henderson-Else from Show Low expressing reservations about potential harm from 5G radiation. Additionally, interference with specific aircraft technologies, such as altimeters and location devices, was also raised by county resident Tony Tangalos, given its implications for aircraft operations.

Despite the community’s apprehensions, the permits were approved with the provision for interference testing on aircraft. Cody Cooper from Navajo County Planning and Development preempted some of these comments that had already been expressed to planning and development, with a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration that stated it would not be a hazard to airplanes. However, there have been reports of helicopter altimeters acting erratically in places like Phoenix with a high number of 5G towers, but the county feels that this tower will not pose a significant threat and will monitor the situation to see if there is any interference and act accordingly if there is found to be any. It was also highlighted that this wasn’t a novel introduction, as several 5G towers are already operational within the county. It was noted that any discernible risks would likely have manifested in regions with existing 5G installations.

At a recent Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Anita Thompson, the Assistant Area Agent for Navajo, Apache, and northern Greenlee counties from the University of Arizona’s Navajo County Cooperative Extension, gave a detailed presentation on the various programs offered by the extension. She began by discussing the impacts of the Apache County Livestock and Range Cooperative Extension.

There has been significant educational outreach, especially on livestock care, treatment, and necessities. This education, targeted towards both new and established ranchers and farmers, has ushered in a renewed awareness about proper livestock care. Moreover, the Pasture Management outreach program has been instrumental in helping landowners determine the right forage for their specific livestock needs.

Moving on, Thompson provided an update on the Navajo County 4-H Youth Development Program. The numbers over the last two years depict a positive trajectory. In 2022, there were 206 youth enrolled, with 50 being new enrollees. By 2023, this number had risen to 213, with 65 new youth joining. Specifically focusing on swine, 85 youth were involved in 2022, and this number increased to 91 in 2023. A significant highlight for the Navajo County 4-H was the hosting of the inaugural state-wide 4-H Small Stock Camp and Show from June 8-10 in Taylor. The event was well-attended, with over 75 youth participating. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with youth rating it at 9.1 out of 10 and parents giving it an even higher 9.6 out of 10. Impressively, every participant expressed their interest in attending the camp again next year.

Thompson then shifted the focus to Navajo County Family Health/Consumer Science and its impacts. Thanks to the Navajo County Cooperative Extension SNAP program, the fifth annual Park Summer School Garden Program in Holbrook was successfully conducted. A total of 22 students finished the program. Their pre-test average score was a mere 16.96%, but they showcased an impressive improvement with a post-test average of 96.3%. Moreover, students shared that the program either inspired them to start gardens at home or equipped them with skills to better maintain existing ones.

Thompson also highlighted the food preservation workshops in Holbrook. Many participants expressed intentions of using or buying a traditional dehydrator, and there’s been an increased interest in utilizing the freeze dehydrator available at the office, with several community residents already reserving it for personal use. The presentation concluded with a note on public outreach. The extension has been ardently supporting Navajo County residents by offering training, resources, and support in areas like food systems, active living, and school health. The local cooperative extension office is located at 748 N. Third St. in Holbrook.

In other business the board:

* Certified the fiscal year 2023 fill-the-gap revenue for revenues received by the courts and court clerks.

* Approved the reissuance of stale dated checks.

* Approved the contracts signed by the county manager for community development block grants and for technical assistance.

* Amended the contract with Show Low Ford for additional pricing for the remaining 2024 models that were not included in original contract, with the following prices for vehicles fitted to county specifications: Ford Escape Active, $28,141; Ford Expedition, $48,289; Ford Transit T-350 XL, $51,800; Ford F-150, $35,998 and Ford F-250, $45,973.

* Amended the contract between the county and Care 1st Health Plan of Arizona for change in pricing for the following services: pre-petition screening – mental health assessment by a non-physician, $238.32; psychiatric room and board, $1,224.59; psychiatric diagnosis evaluation, $319.71; initial hospital care, low complexity, $179.78; initial hospital care, moderate complexity, $242.44; initial hospital care, high complexity, $355.12; subsequent hospital care, per day, low complexity, $69.64; subsequent hospital care, per day, moderate complexity, $127.86; subsequent hospital care, per day, high complexity, $183.58; affidavit – first physician, minimum one hour, $180; affidavit – second physician, minimum one hour, $180; physician court appearance – first physician, $200 and physician court appearance – second physician, $200; hospital discharge summary, $188.

*Approved a proclamation designating September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

* Approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the county and the Navajo Nation to fund two equipment operators for road maintenance projects within the county in the amount of $120,000 per year.

* Approved an IGA between the county, the State of Arizona for the construction of a left turn lane at Bourdon Ranch Road and Roundup Drive in Show Low at a cost of $58,872 to the county.

* Approved a recertification letter for the county’s community rating system.

The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.