In his presentation at the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 27, Information Technology Director Ken Dewitt shared that the Navajo – Gila County Information Technology Education Consortium (NGCITEC) received approval for initial funding of nearly $5.2 million from the State of Arizona, with a potential match from federal sources, to install over 1,000 miles of fiber optics between Navajo and Gila counties.

The consortium consists of 51 schools and libraries in Navajo and Gila counties. Each organization would have the option to increase Internet speeds, while also saving at least 70 percent on current costs.

“Federal funding is still needed to get this project going but we are very excited to be part of this process,” Dewitt said. “Members of the consortium will see significant savings and improved online access once the project is completed. This is the first step in bringing our region to new technological heights.”

The proposal to bring better broadband to consortium members was issued by NGCITEC in late December and six bids were submitted in February. One month later, the bid was awarded to Red Rock Telecommunications out of Phoenix.

In order to bring the 1,000 miles of fiber optics needed for the project, Red Rock will build a member Wide Area Network (WAN) between all the locations that will allow new technology opportunities for cultural exchanges in our region.

The total cost for construction of the project will be nearly $61 million. Additional funding is needed for the project to get under way, and a request for this additional funding was sent to the Universal Service Administrative Company.

This is the last year to apply for and receive 100 percent funding for construction costs using these resources.

In other business, Clerk of the Board Melissa Buckley addressed the board saying that back tax land online auction had ended and she was requesting approval of all properties to be sold as auctioned.

Buckley said, “This auction was by far the best auction that we have had with 95 properties being sold at a total value of $115,092.” She also noted that the county made $40,000 on the auction.

Additionally, Buckley requested approval from the board to sell the remaining unsold back tax properties over the counter for the amount due. Approval for both requests was unanimous.

In other business, the board:

* Approved the transfer of grant funds in the amount of $100,000 from the Dislocated Worker program to the Adult program due to a 62 percent adult participation compared to nine percent dislocated worker participation.

* Re-executed Bureau of Land Management right-of-way document for Territorial Road.

* Authorized a right-of-way agreement with the State Land Department for the right-of-way on, over, through and across state lands totaling 0.78 acres for the future development of the Aztec Loop, which is a future alternate route to State Route 77.

* Authorized the auctioning of evidence items at the end of their useful life. All items were collected as evidence by law enforcement. The items will be auctioned from April 2-13 on www.publicsurplus.com.

* Approved an amendment to an agreement between Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Holbrook that removes the Emergency Medical Services from the dispatch services the NCSO will perform.

* Approved a Family Advocacy Center request for $5,000 in RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) funds for speaker fees for the Eighth Annual Victim’s Rights Symposium. The keynote speaker will be nationally renowned speaker Elizabeth Smart.

* Authorized the transfer of a 2005 Chevy truck from the NCSO to the Pinon Chapter Citizen Emergency Response Team.

* Authorized the distribution of $44,259 of National Forest Funds Distribution to Navajo County public schools.

* Approved an agreement between the county and the Office of Secretary of State for the participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center.

* Approved a facilities agreement between the county and the Arizona Conservation Corps for a portion of the Pine Lake Facility in Pinetop for a staging and deployment area for their operations in the region. On that same property, Public Works will continue to utilize a separate building and there is a fuel site there, as well.

* Approved a ground lease agreement between the county and Cellular One of Northeast Arizona to allow Cellular One to lease a 10’ by 20’ section of the Show Low Complex where the current mono pole for communication is located behind the health department building.

* Approved an amendment to an agreement between the Navajo Nation and the county for road projects.

* Approved special event liquor licenses for the Heber-Overgaard Chamber of Commerce for their annual Fourth of July celebration and Oktoberfest.