The Navajo County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, during which the board approved the proposed initial Navajo County Middle Mile Fiber pricing and the proposed Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) agreement template. The IRU was explained by Director of Facilities and Capital Projects Grant Evans as “The long-term lease agreement mechanism that will be use for the board to execute the fiber leases on our middle mile.”
The construction of the middle mile fiber optic network is nearly 75% finished and expected to be completed before the current calendar year. As the project nears its completion, the County’s partner in the project, eX2 Technology, LLC (eX2), has begun marketing fiber leases to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other entities, and is now prepared to enter final negotiations with interested parties. The Middle Mile Fiber Network spans over 100 miles, running from Joseph City and Holbrook along Interstate 40, extending through Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Heber. The fiber network will work to reduce barriers to market entry, enabling private companies to develop sustainable business models for delivering high-speed internet across the county.
The network will also serve as an affordable solution for Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and other funding recipients by providing reliable middle-mile connectivity, according to a press release on the subject. eX2 Chief Revenue Officer Kyle Hildebrand in reference to the company’s marketing strategy stated, “Most importantly, we put together a plan to ensure that the county’s goal of providing citizens enhanced broadband infrastructure and access was above everything else and took precedence over just generating revenues.” This vendor-neutral approach provides unbiassed access for all potential providers which in turn will foster competition and innovation in broadband services for Navajo County residents and businesses.
Companies and organizations that rent fiber internet lines from this network will get a ready-to-use, high-quality fiber system that is already built and doesn’t need extra setup. For leasing inquiries, contact Karen Miller, Director of Commercialization at eX2 Technology, LLC at karen.miller@vivacitygrovi.com.
The board also approved Telecommunications Use and Occupancy Agreement between the State of Arizona and Navajo County, due to 90% of the Middle Mile Fiber Network being constructed in Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) highway right-of-way. With this agreement, Navajo County grants ADOT the use of four fibers along all the middle mile routes. In accordance with the agreement, the four fibers that ADOT is acquiring as in-kind compensation shall be used exclusively for the further development of telecommunications that serves state purposes. The fibers may not be sold or leased in competition with Navajo County unless agreed to in writing by the county.
A presentation was provided on the county’s Fiscal Year 2024 annual financial report, as well as reports on internal control and compliance, and the federal single audit report.
The financial statement audit was stated to be presented fairly in all material aspects in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, according to Ben Hur from Fester and Chapman PLLC, who conducted the audit. “This is kind of the highest opinion you can get in this type of audit,” Hur explained.
Two findings were report in relation to the financial audit, both of which are significant deficiencies related to the internal controls that are over financial reported in Information Technology (IT) control.
As for the federal single audit, which is required when non-federal agencies receive federal awards exceeding $750,000, four significant deficiencies as well as one material weakness were reported.
The board also received an update on the current wildfire conditions and fire restrictions within the county.
While convened as the Navajo County Flood Control District, the board approved contracts signed by County Manager Bryan Layton pursuant to Board of Supervisors Resolution: Professional Services agreement with J2 Engineering and Environmental Design, LLC for the Linden Trails Drainage Mitigation Project.
During call to the public, Mark Canal addressed the board in regard to the Linden Trails Drainage Mitigation Project. Canal stated he resides in Linden and believes the drainage mitigation should start where the problem exists, rather than beginning from the top on the drainage working towards the bottom.
The board recognized 19 Navajo County student musicians selected to participate in the Arizona Music Educators Association High School All-State Festival, as well as the top three finalists of the 2025 Wellness First Quarter Challenge: Iron Chef Competition. The finalists were Irene Hunt, Tasha Carrizales and Kristyn Saunders.
The board proclaimed May as Building Safety Month and the week of May 18-24 as Nation Public Works Week in the county.
In other business, the board:
* Approved to conduct an election for the Silver Creek Flood Protection District on Oct. 1, to elect three positions, one position for a four-year term and two positions for a two-year term.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Navajo County Recorder and Winslow, Holbrook, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Taylor to conduct city/town elections for the span of 5 years to expire on Jan. 1, 2030.
* Approved an IGA between superior courts of Greenlee and Navajo counties for juvenile detention services. Greenlee County will be charged a fee of $225 per day per juvenile, with an additional $50 per day for each day a juvenile is detained for more than 90 days.
* Approved budgeted servers replacement to Sentinel Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $109,395.
* Approved contracts signed by Manager Layton pursuant to Board of Supervisors Resolution: Incovate Solutions, Master Service Agreement, LLC; The WBL Group, Contract for Porter Mountain Road.
* Approved one back tax land parcel sold over the counter in the amount of $596.
* Approved a project sponsor agreement from Arizona State Parks. A resolution was passed and adopted by the board on April 22, for the filing of an application for grant funding from the Arizona State Parks as a part of their Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Law Enforcement and Education Program. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded funding for the purchase of two side-by-sides with law enforcement lighting and communications, two OHV tandem axle trailers and funding for OHV patrol hours. The total of the award is $275,000, with $211,000 designated for the equipment and $64,000 for personnel costs. The sheriff’s office will provide up to $25,000 as an in-kind project match through staff time, which is part of the $275,000.
* Approved a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Navajo County Adult Detention Center for Adult Detention Services for the housing of adult tribal inmates who have been arrested for, charged with or have been convicted of tribal violations occurring in Indian country. The current daily housing rate of $55 per day, initiated in 2014, has been updated to reflect a current daily housing rate of $150 per tribal inmate per day. The term of this agreement is effective June 20, 2024, and expires on June 19, 2029.
* Approved of an IGA for the creation of and participation in the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team (AZCART). The sheriff’s office is a participating agency in the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team and currently has a signed IGA which is in effect until June 30, 2030. However, the IGA has been updated and all participating agencies are requested to sign the revised attached agreement. The updated intergovernmental agreement holds the same term as the prior agreement, expiring June 30, 2030, with an option for a five-year extension upon request. The Arizona Child Abduction Response Team agency offers a pool of specialized investigators, who are available to focus on dedicated and intensive investigative, preventative, and general law enforcement efforts, primarily concerning cases involving abducted or at-risk missing children.
* Approved a delegation agreement between the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Navajo County. The agreement adds four alternative septic systems back to the county’s delegation agreement that were previously removed, and changes contact information to reflect the planning and development services from Public Works.
* Approved tax exemptions filed pursuant to ARS §42-11153 as a Request for Redemption of Waiver.
* Approved sympathy letters for Tyson Leonard, Michael Montandon, Cheri Montandon, Jana Richards, Inna Yakhontova and Tyler Richards.
* Awarded the annual contract for slurry seal to American Pavement Preservation, LLC in the amount of $646,235. This contract is to provide asphalt emulsion slurry seal coat on public roads in geographic areas of Navajo County. This is a budgeted expense.
* Approved a task agreement between the Fort Apache Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Navajo County for gravel placement on Cromwell Road bus turnaround in the amount of $2,000. The BIA Road Maintenance personnel will provide all necessary equipment and labor to support the project.
* Approved a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) scoping IGA with ADOT for Mogollon Drive State Route 277 to State Route 260. The work proposed under this agreement consists of scoping services to review a HSIP application to install shoulders and rumble strips. Scoping also includes the determination of environmental and right of way preliminary requirements. ADOT will administer the scoping. Final design and construction will be addressed in a separate agreement as applicable. The scoping cost is estimated at $40,000, which includes federal aid and the local agency’s match.
* Approved a HSIP scoping IGA with ADOT for Lone Pine Dam Road, State Route 77 to Burton Road. The work proposed under this agreement consists of scoping services to review a HSIP application to install shoulders and rumble strips. Scoping also includes the determination of environmental and right of way preliminary requirements. ADOT will administer the scoping. Final design and construction will be addressed in a separate agreement as applicable. The scoping cost is estimated at $40,000, which includes federal aid and the local agency’s match.
* Approved a professional services contract with Wilson & Company for the Starlight Ridge Pavement Reconstruction Project in the amount of $54,940. Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects, will provide professional engineering services for the final design and preparation of construction documents for Phase Two of the Starlight Ridge Pavement Reconstruction Project. The project covers approximately 7,500 linear feet of existing roadway within the Starlight Ridge subdivision, located in the Wagon Wheel area within Navajo County. The scope includes pavement rehabilitation design, evaluation of roadway geometry for turning movements at all intersections within the project limits and potential intersection pavement widening to improve vehicular off-tracking. Where intersection widening necessitates culvert pipe extensions, these will be incorporated into the final design. Funds for the contract are budgeted.
Convening as the Navajo County Public Health Services District, the board:
* Approved the renewal of an IGA with Show Low for the use of the Ready Navajo County alert system, an emergency notification system.
Convening as the Navajo County Flood Control District, the board:
* Approved a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Woodruff Drainage Improvements Final Design project in the amount of $126,137. This is budgeted expense.
