Navajo County has launched a groundbreaking initiative to enhance broadband access, embarking on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Challenge Process. This endeavor, in partnership with the county’s consulting firm High Street, aims to map out the current broadband landscape to accurately identify areas in need of internet service improvements.
During the last Board of Supervisor’s meeting Grant Evans, the county’s capital projects manager spearheading the project, shared insights into the collaborative efforts that have taken place since January, emphasizing the role of detailed mapping and data analysis.
This foundational work has uncovered that out of approximately 44,000 residences, about 37,000 are currently not eligible for broadband funding due to existing service level reports.
To address these findings, Navajo County has initiated a robust public outreach campaign, targeting those 37,000 residences to encourage their participation in the BEAD challenge process.
The campaign’s centerpiece is the distribution of postcards, directing residents to an online platform where they can report their internet service levels. This direct engagement strategy aims to rectify inaccuracies in service reporting, potentially making more residences eligible for much-needed broadband funding.
Mark Eggy with High Street spoke about why this is important saying, “It’s possible that internet service providers may have overstated the locations where they provide their service.” Meaning that residents who do not confirm their service levels might miss out on state funds that could help them get better connected. Residents can expect a postcard in the mail soon that will ask them about their service levels.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, aiming to reach all county residents, including those in underserved and tribal areas. After the presentation, concerns were raised about the initiative’s reach, especially in northern areas with significant service gaps, and how tribal communities can participate. Evans and the High Street consultants addressed these concerns by outlining the initiative’s inclusive approach and the multiple avenues for residents to engage in the process, whether they are reporting slow internet speeds, lack of service, or discrepancies in service availability.
Navajo County’s ambitious broadband initiative signifies a critical step toward closing the digital divide, leveraging community input to ensure comprehensive and accurate mapping of broadband needs.
With the state’s challenge portal open until May 15, county officials are urging residents to participate early and contribute to a collective effort that promises to reshape the region’s digital landscape. Through this initiative, Navajo County is not only addressing current broadband service disparities but also laying the groundwork for a more connected and digitally inclusive future.
Also during the meeting, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) announced it has been awarded $999,971 by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. This grant is earmarked for enhancing law enforcement operations focused on combating drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal immigration, and other border-related offenses within Navajo County. The funding arrangement was presented and successfully approved by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.
“We at the Sheriff’s Office have been looking forward to this day to come for about 18 months,” Sheriff David Clouse said, underlining the critical groundwork laid out to secure this funding. He further justified the grant by emphasizing the county’s significant role in national drug interdiction efforts: “60% of all fentanyl seized in the country, seized in the State of Arizona. So that makes Navajo County part of that equation.”
The grant allocates $899,971 towards covering 75% of salary and employer-related expenses (ERE) for several key positions within the Sheriff’s Office and local municipal agencies. This includes one K9 sergeant, one K9 deputy, two NCSO Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) detectives, five municipal MCAT detectives, and provides 50% salary and ERE support for two Navajo County Attorney’s Office prosecutors. An additional $100,000 is designated for operational and maintenance costs of the NCSO aviation unit.
This financial support aims to significantly enhance Navajo County’s capability to address border-related criminal activities efficiently, leveraging substantial state support to ensure a more effective law enforcement response.
In other business, the board:
* Approved naming an unnamed street in the Wagon Wheel/Lakeside area as “Rawlings Run.”
* Approved the application of the Treasures deed for the supervisors on behalf of the state. It reads that if a lien is not redeemed at any time beginning five years after the lien is assigned to this state, the county board of supervisors, acting on behalf of this state, may apply for and receive a treasurer’s deed to the property under this article. Title searches must be performed on each parcel and each owner must be served with a certified notice. If redemption is not made by law before Aug. 16, 2024, the parcels will then be deeded to the State of Arizona and turned over to the Board of Supervisors for auction. Lawyers Title came in with the lowest bid amount of $110 per tax parcel number, which includes an individual limited title report for each tax parcel. Approximately $16,000 to be used for limited title reports conducted by Lawyers Title.
* Approved transfer of 68 radios from the Sheriff’s Office to the City of Winslow.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and Joseph City Fire District for dispatch services.
* Approved a contract with Peter Ruiz Salazar for the Northern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy as a recruit training officer.
* Approved a proclamation for April 2024 as Public Health Month in Navajo County.
* Approved an award of contracts for various roadway materials to Brimhall Sand, Rock & Building Materials, Hatch Construction & Paving, Inc., Perkins Aggregates, Inc., Perkins Cinders, Inc. and Schuck Development, these contracts set prices at which the county can purchase material.
* Approved an amendment to zoning ordinances regarding wireless communication towers so that commercial properties are also bound by current residential regulations.
* Approved a special use permit for a 199-foot monopole wireless communication tower near Highway 260 and Sawmill Road in the Clay Springs area.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
