By L. Parsons During last week’s Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Navajo County Finance Director Jason Vowell presented an analysis of proposal to incur long-term indebtedness. According to the agenda item, the County has two outstanding bond issues from 2012 and 2013 for a total principal amount of $10.8 million. Current market conditions indicate that there is an opportunity to refinance these outstanding bonds resulting in savings to the County between $624,000 and $996,000 through fiscal year 2030-2031. The next step is a public hearing, set for the Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 23. In other business, and in the absence of Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger, the board: * Implemented an agreement between Navajo County and the City of Holbrook concerning One Arizona Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding. The memo states Navajo County will manage and report proceeds from the settlement on the behalf of Holbrook. The amount of the settlement has not yet been established. * Recognized Deputy Chief Bruce Tucker as the 2021 David’s Hope Crisis Response Officer of Distinction. Sheriff David Clouse said, “Tucker has taken a very proactive response to address deficiencies in the mental health recognition, response and treatment process in Navajo County.” * Approved an agreement with the White Mountain Apache Tribe for the utilization and leasing of the vacant Navajo County Juvenile Detention facility as temporary housing of its inmates due to the current disrepair of its facility. The 40-bed facility will be leased to the tribe until at least May 31, 2021, from the county at the rate of $34,000 per month. Navajo County will provide housing, food and medical care to detainees. * Approved a sole source agreement with Magellan Advisors to develop a strategic broadband infrastructure plan for Navajo County. This plan will include inventory of existing infrastructure, identification of reliable funding strategies, community needs assessments and a development of a conceptual network design to guide development. The county will pay the firm a total of $70,350 payable in six month increments of $11,725. Incidentals will be billed as incurred and are not to exceed $3,000. * Introduced Dave Ehrensperger as the new Navajo County Library District Director. * Announced the 2021 board committee appointments. Incoming District I Supervisor Fern Benally will sit on the Navajo County Transportation Steering Committee and the NACOG (Northern Arizona Council of Governments) Transportation Policy Advisory Council. Incoming District II Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai will serve on the Little Colorado Community Development Committee, the Navajo County Health Steering Committee, NACOG Economic Development Council and the executive council and the Winslow Indian Health Care Center’s Board of Directors. * Recognized employees for their years of service with Navajo County including Kim Curley of the Health Department, Caleb Baldwin from the Sheriff’s Office and Sharon Heller of the Health Department, each for five years; Scott Tipton, Show Low Constable, 10 years; Valerie Scott, of Jail Operations, 20 years; and Toni Garver, of the Sheriff’s Office, and Cammy Darris, County Assessor, each for 25 years. * Awarded personnel service awards from 2020 to 61 county employees for their years of service. * Recognized employees for their excellence in personal performance far exceeding organization expectations. Vickie Lester and Kelly Kerr-Mellot of the Superior Court and Tasha Morris of Jail Operations were recognized. * Appointed Denise J. Van Zijll, Dylan O. Baca and Jandi T. Craig of Pinetop, Lorraine J. Coin, Danise A. Gomez and Daryl W. Lomatewama of Oraibi, and Casey J. Lee of Kayenta as Democratic Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and will be held virtually. Information on how to attend can be found on the Navajo County Government Facebook page as well as the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov.
