The Winslow City Council heard a presentation by Navajo County Manager Glenn Kephart during their meeting last week. Kepharti presented an overview of the direction Navajo County is headed following the imminent closure of the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) near Page slated for 2019 and the Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City expected to close by 2025. Kephart anticipates the closures will result in a $1.6 million annual loss in county sales tax and state shared revenue, as well as an annual loss of $925,000 in property taxes for the county.
That loss is significant to the county, which is statutorily required to provide specific services. “Those include our health services and our public safety services, there is a long list.” Improving these services make the county more development and business friendly, Kephart explained.
The last time the county was burdened economically was during the recession of 2008. “In 2008, no public safety jobs were lost (but) that is a possibility as we move forward.”
He explained that because of the statutory requirements, Navajo County would have to work directly with the State of Arizona if a reduction in services were to be necessary. “Options to move forward would include a reduction in county services,” Kephart said. “It is not an option that I would like to see as county manager.”
Kephart said, “A second option is economic development and new industry. We are looking at possible transition and possibilities for NGS, and we are doing everything that we can to encourage APS (Arizona Public Service) and other key players to not close the Cholla facility before 2025 so that we may find a solution.
“We are also continuing to work to expand our broadband infrastructure so that we may build the broadband network throughout the county that we need to recruit the kind of development that gives our children and grandchildren a reason to stay here.”
Mayor Tom McCauley said, “I would like to educate myself more on the broadband issues and the City of Winslow would like to jump in on the conversation. It is important and there is great room for growth here in Winslow and Navajo County.”
Kephart concluded with a speculation that if development does not occur in Navajo County, it could result in the loss of 20-25 percent of the county workforce. “We received a grant that allowed us to have a highland economic study conducted. That study was funded to take a look at our county and the options we have as the coal industry continues to decline. Our time period is short.”
Kephart also praised the City of Winslow for it’s downtown improvements. “I am very proud that Winslow is part of Navajo County,” he said. “It really is a special place and it makes all of the county a bit better. It’s a place people want to come with the energy you’re getting downtown.”
In other business, the council:
Approved an ordinance allowing minor exceptions to zoning requirements regarding dimensions and areas to be approved by the Community Development Director rather than requiring a public hearing by the Board of Adjustment.
Approved an ordinance amending zoning regulations pertaining to annexation. The new language reads, “Territory annexed into the City shall be designated in zoning districts that match as nearly as possible, but do not exceed, the allowable uses and densities permitted by Navajo or Coconino County zoning prior to annexation.” Previously, all annexed properties were zoned for agricultural use.
Appointed Kerwin Lawrence to the Planning and Zoning Commission until Dec. 31, 2020.
Appointed Kimberly Mangum to the Historic Preservation Commission until May 1, 2021.
Approved the cancellation of the regularly scheduled July 24 and Aug. 28 meetings.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 7 p.m. on June 26 in the council chambers, located at 115 E. Second St.
