By L. Parsons Navajo County Health Director Jeff Lee provided his bimonthly update on COVID-19 to the Board of Supervisors last week. The report focused on the benchmarks provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) for opening schools and high-risk businesses. “On a good note, over the last couple of weeks, our COVID cases have fallen. We can only think that is because of the job we are doing with wearing face coverings and physical distancing.” However, as Lee explained, those lower numbers are not a reason to go full tilt in to reopening schools and businesses. The three benchmarks counties must reach before reopening schools are: two weeks with fewer than 100 COVID cases per 100,000 people, two weeks with a percent positivity below 10 percent and two weeks with hospital visits due to COVID like illnesses below 10 percent. According to Lee, “Navajo County remains in the substantial category for cases per 100,000 and percent positivity.” The AZDHS recommends a minimal to moderate status in all three categories to move forward. Lee said, “All three of the benchmarks must be met for 14 days with a 12-day reporting lag period to move from a higher transmission phase to a lower one.” High risk businesses, which include gyms, bars and theaters must remain closed if any of the benchmarks are in the substantial category. The benchmarks are recommendations from the AZDHS but are not mandated by the state. Governor Doug Ducey has left decisions for reopening up to individual counties and school districts. The AZDHS website, www.azdhs.com illustrates each of the 15 counties’ positions on benchmarks. It is updated regularly. In other business, the board: * Heard from Navajo County Fair Director Mike Sample who explained the annual event is cancelled. The committee is working toward keeping the Junior Livestock Show on the schedule and more information will follow as it is available. * Approved the warrant and voucher report over $1,000 for July. * Appointed Leah Thomas and Debra Chapman as alternate clerks of the board to perform Clerk of the Board functions while the clerk is away from the office. * Authorized a request for undercover license plates and vehicle registration for the Navajo County Probation Department. * Approved the sale of 37 back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $13,889. * Approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) addendum to designate the ECO executive director to represent the county in the supplemental environmental impact statement process. Navajo County is a signatory in a cooperative program for management of the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction. This MOU provides framework for that collaboration. * Approved contracts signed by the county manager for professional services with Cannon Consultants, LLC for Woodruff Snowflake Bridge emergency repairs in the amount of $8,000; for an agreement with Century Link for a T-1 service in Winslow for three years at $332 per month; and an agreement with Century Link for upgraded circuit and savings for Winslow for one year at $299 per month. * Approved a land purchase agreement for existing roadway and drainage purposes on both Larson Road and Hilltop Drive in Lakeside. The agreement grants Navajo County title over property at no cost to the county. * Approved an interagency service agreement between the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Transportation allowing the use of ADOT’s licensed software. * Approved an annual intergovernmental agreement between NCSO and the cities participating in the Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) regarding grant funding for fiscal year 2020-21. Those cities are Show Low, Winslow and Snowflake-Taylor. Each municipality is awarded $40,000 from the Byrne Grant. * Approved the fiscal year 2020 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification annual report. The report reflects revenue for justice and treasury funds. Justice funds consist of joint investigations with DEA, FBI, ATF, US Postal Inspection and Food and Drug Administration. Treasury Funds consist of partnerships with ICE, IRS, Secret Service, US Coast Guard and Customs. The funds from both justice and treasury are used for MCAT operations. * Approved the reissuance of stale-dated checks. Checks were issued as refunds for overpaid property taxes or for investor payments. * Approved tax exemptions as a request for redemption of waiver for widows, widowers and disabled persons whose property is exempt from tax. * Approved the appropriation of county funds for fiscal year 2020-21 for the cooperative extension program in the amount of $20,250. * Approved a contract signed by the county manager with VMI Spectrum Dual View Bodyscan Security Screening System in the amount of $98,487 for a body scanner. The full body X-ray security screening system will reduce liability in the jail setting with increasing safety for both detention staff and inmates. * Approved a grant agreement between Navajo County and the State of Arizona in the amount of $55,844 for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. The federal dollars are part of the CARES Act to eligible Arizona applicants of the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) public assistance program. * Approved the applicant agreement with the Arizona Department of Emergency Management and Military Affairs for the hazard mitigation grant program for the Joseph City Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase a back-up generator. * Approved a petition of taxpayer notice of claim to revert a property to the primary residence of the applicant’s family member. * Approved receipt of the annual report of collections and delinquencies, settlement of accounts and request for authorization to invest funds. * Approved modifications to a contract between the Navajo Nation and Navajo County related to road maintenance and improvements on tribal roads. The modifications are to extend the term of the contract to allow adequate time to complete the improvements and to authorize Navajo County to utilize a portion of the previously approved grant funds to purchase road maintenance equipment and materials. * Accepted a perpetual drainage easement over and across real property in the Ski Hi Retreat community in the Pinetop-Lakeside area for drainage, construction, and maintenance purposes. * Approved a communication agreement between Health Choice Arizona and Navajo County regarding coordination and continuity of care for incarcerated Health Choice Arizona members in the adult correctional system. The purpose of this agreement is to continue to establish procedures of information exchanged between the health care provider and the jail. * Approved a memorandum of agreement between Health Choice Arizona and Navajo County and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office to establish a collaborative protocol for effective communication, coordination and continuity of care for adults and children eligible for services provided by Health Choice Arizona under NCSO. * Approved constable reports for the Holbrook precinct for May and June; and Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside precincts for July. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Information on how to join the video conferenced meeting can be found on the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov.
