During last week’s Navajo County Board of Supervisor’s meeting, County Manager Bryan Layton provided an update on the proposed civic center collaboration with the Holbrook Unified School District, City of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College and Navajo County. “As you can imagine, developing a civic center is a very ambitious endeavor, one that would likely be out of reach for any one of these entities. And the question is, by forming a partnership, would something like this be possible?” Visions for the center include a large gymnasium with multiple court configurations, regulation sized swimming pool, conference rooms and office space.
Layton explained the county would be a minority stakeholder and play a supporting role. Continued discussions will include cost, funding mechanisms, revenue and fee structure, operations and maintenance, and intergovernmental agreement terms. “If these discussions gain more traction, the next step would be for staff to come before the board and formally present maybe a design concept, some other possible terms and parameters of the project, and then seek the board’s input and approval to move forward with something like that.”
The board adopted a resolution approving a special use permit for the construction and operation of one meteorological monitoring (MET) tower on approximately .7479 acres of vacant land approximately 20 miles southwest of Joseph City. The proposed MET tower will collect meteorological data to inform the energy assessment of a future potential wind energy generation facility. The MET tower is expected to operate for up to seven years.
County staff received 25 emails against the tower and two in support, as well as 10 voicemails against it. “A goal of our comprehensive plan, which was updated in the last year, was to make sure that if renewable energy is to come in, that it’s well-researched and founded and as found necessary, and these provide the tools to find if there’s a true viability for these types of facilities or if there’s not one,” stated Kevin Gooley, agent representing land owner Aztec Land & Cattle Co.
One of the adjacent landowners Kelly McCauley stated he had no complaints against the tower. President of Aztec Land & Cattle Company Steven Brophy spoke of the benefits of the tower, stating the area is a known wind resource and will provide stability for a legacy rancher to provide intergenerational cash flow.
Francis McCauley Perkins also voiced her support of the permit. “We have thought long and hard, and we’ve decided amongst ourselves in support of the MET tower project that would continue on to a profitable wind project that would bring good resource for our county.”
Chair Seymour said his appreciation for those who spoke for and against the permit, stating that things change over time. “Many people say, ‘give this land back to the cattle people and leave it like it is,’ well, it’s the cattle people who are coming and saying, ‘we want to be good stewards so we can continue to keep our ranches, continue to do this.’ This is just a change.”
Board and staff recognized Alicia Deets, Board of Supervisors/Administration, Amy Stradling, Health District and Roxanne Pergeson, County Attorney’s Office for their excellence in personal performance, which far exceeded organization expectations for the months of November and December.
The board entered into an executive session to consider the county manager’s performance evaluation. Following the executive session, the board approved the performance evaluation.
During the meeting, the board:
* Approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 fund transfers that were included in the fiscal year budget for the fund reconciliations.
* Approved an amendment to the Navajo County Transportation Plan contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. †to prepare the Navajo County Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The amendment adds additional public outreach, technical advisory meetings and fiscal forecasting for funding and financing strategies for specific projects specified in the TMP.
* Approved contracts signed by County Manager Layton pursuant to Board of Supervisors resolution: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. contract amendment for Buck Springs Road Equestrian Crossing Final Design to mutually extended Jan. 27-April 13, unless terminated, canceled or extended as otherwise provided in the contract.
* Awarded a radio equipment contract to White Mountain Communications for the Sheriff’s Office. The contract will begin on Jan. 27, and go through Jan. 26, 2027. The term of this contract will be one year with the option to renew up to four additional one-year terms.
* Approved entering into a Dark Fiber Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) agreement with Frontier Communications of America, Inc. This IRU agreement sets forth a 20-year indefeasible right to use four fibers on the county’s Middle Mile Network for the entire 106-miles of system routes. The board previously approved this IRU on Dec. 17, 2025, but the grantee later requested a few minor revisions to the agreement. This agreement supersedes that agreement from Dec. 17, 2025. Approval of this IRU is a major step forward in the development and commercialization of the county’s middle mile fiber project and will improve and enhance broadband availability, reliability and capacity throughout the county.
* Approved sympathy letters to Kymberle O’Farrell and Jayson Vowell.
* Hired Convergint as the integrator for the Navajo County door and camera project. Convergint is currently under state contract and can be used to fully plan, purchase, install and support an integrated door and camera system. The sum of $79,393 is the starting amount to review and plan the project. Estimates for the completed project will be about $1.2 million to $1.5 million.
Convening as the Navajo County Public Health Services District, the board:
* Approved an amendment to the existing Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Snowflake for use of kennel space at the Snowflake Animal Control Center to temporarily house animals impounded by Navajo County Animal Care & Control officers. Changes listed in the amendment are: The county pays a flat monthly fee of $1,200 for four kennels, covering basic care and services for the animals. If the City’s Animal Control Center is temporarily unavailable, the county’s monthly fee will be prorated. If city staff is unavailable, county staff may assist with essential duties, without liability.
* Approved the Navajo County Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) Plan for 2026-2027. The purpose of COOP/COG planning is to minimize the impacts of disasters and emergencies to an acceptable level and to ensure that Navajo County maintains the capability to continue essential functions under all conditions.
* Approved the Navajo County Emergency Operations Plan for 2026-2028.
Convening as the Victory Heights Road Maintenance District, the board:
* Approved contracts signed by County Manager Layton pursuant to Board of Supervisors resolution: Insurance for Victory Heights Road Maintenance District effective Feb. 1.
