The Navajo County Board of Supervisors approved spending up to $36,000 on additional lobbyists at the state legislature Tuesday.

A 12-month contract with Clarus Companies, at a rate of $3,000 per month, was approved by the board. Clarus has previously been retained by the county and was submitted to the board as a sole source provider, meaning that competitive bids were not accepted for the work.

According to a memo regarding the justification of Clarus as a sole source provider, “Navajo County has contracted with multiple vendors for lobbying services in the previous years to conduct a broad-based and far-reaching campaign to educate a remarkably large number of freshman legislators in the House and Senate on several Navajo County initiatives over the last few years. That effort has been extremely successful, particularly with the firm Clarus Companies, LLC representing Navajo County.

“Legislators understand the economic, social and political impacts that affect Navajo County, epically the state shared revenue components of Navajo County’s general fund budgeting. Now that this major component has been established among the current legislative body, the specific items that Navajo County wishes to address can be best served by continuing with the firm that has been successfully working with and representing Navajo County within the legislative body.”

Funds for the lobbyists are already included in the county’s existing budget, and will come from the professional services line item in the general fund.

Navajo County has turned to lobbyists, both at the state and federal levels, to try to increase funding, as well as lessen the impact of state and federal budget cuts. In addition to paid lobbyists, county officials travel regularly to the state capitol and Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers. County Manager Jimmy Jayne previously pointed out that the costs are justified through the building of vital relationships that allow county officials to work with legislators on bills that directly and indirectly affect Navajo County funding and operations.

Board members unanimously approved the expenditure.

In other action Feb. 24, the board:

* Approved the submission of a grant application by the sheriff’s office to the Gila River Indian Community for $146,321 to purchase and outfit three patrol vehicles.

* Approved a professional services agreement with Heather Sponseller, RDH, for dental hygiene services through the First Things First state program at a rate of $45 per hour.

* Approved sub-contracts for nutrition services with the St. Michaels Association for Special Education and the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board.

* Approved the lease of classroom space by the county health district for the Navajo Nation First Things First program from the Ganado School District at a rate of $749 per month.

The next regular board meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at the county complex in Holbrook.