By L. Parsons Navajo County Public Health Director Jeff Lee gave another update regarding the COVID-19 response to the Navajo County Board of Supervisors during the board’s meeting last week. “Unfortunately, we continue to trend in the wrong direction. As of this morning (June 23), we have 3,166 cases and 97 deaths in Navajo County in just the two weeks since our last meeting on June 9,” Lee said. He continued by explaining that the uptick in cases are not only due to the increase in testing in the area, but also due to the fact that risk exposure remains high. He said, “We all need to do a better job in changing our behaviors and taking the precautionary measures very seriously and making them a part of our daily routine. Those precautions remain the same as first announced in March and include staying home when feeling sick. “We are seeing many cases and clusters where someone woke up, felt ill and still went to work. I cannot stress this enough, if you feel off, if you feel different than normal, stay home.” He also emphasized physical distancing and recommended people still maintain a 6-foot distance. “Changing up our daily routine to include frequent hand washing will also help. Not just after we use the restroom or before we eat, but multiple times throughout the day. Disinfect frequently touched items as well, your desk and your space and also don’t forget your cell phones, pens, keyboards and car keys.” Lee also encouraged people to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for wearing face coverings. “If you cannot guarantee that you can control the physical distancing, it is highly recommended you wear a facial covering. This will not eliminate the spread or risk, but it is a great tool for us to use that helps lower the risk. You are lowering the risk of spreading COVID to others, my mask helps protect you, and your mask helps protect me.” The board also recognized employees for their years of service to Navajo County. Anna Ericksen from the Assessor’s Office has been with the county for 20 years; David Antonini from the Superior Court, 15 years; Jeanine Carruthers of Public Works, 15 years; Gerson Diaz of the Superior Court, 15 years; William Wilbanks of Public Works, 10 years; and Donald Griffiths of the Sheriff’s Office, 10 years. In other business, the board of supervisors: * Authorized acceptance of a grant from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission in the amount of $263,336 through the Arizona Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program. The grant will pay for overtime and employee costs in the amount of $205,603 and gloves, masks and sanitizer in the amount of $57,733. * Awarded a contract to Ryan Rapp and Underwood, PLC for legal counsel for the local Public Safety Personnel Retirement System and Corrections Officers Retirement Plan Boards. The contract will be paid at $275 per hour. * Approved a task agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the purchase of one 2020 Caterpillar Backhoe Loader from Empire Machinery in the amount of $109,110. Funding will come from the Highway Users Revenue Fund (HURF). * Approved an application for the annual Fill the Gap grant awarded by the Arizona Judicial Branch in the amount of $149,217 to supplement salary and services in the Navajo County Superior Court. * Approved an agreement between the Arizona Department of Health Services and Navajo County Public Health Services to continue tuberculosis control monitoring. This is an ongoing agreement and an annual renewal. * Amended an agreement with the Arizona Department of Health Services to further develop and enhance the State of Arizona Bureau of Public Health Emergency Preparedness. * Approved the receipt of CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act funds for internet services and expenses related to the effects of COVID-19 on Navajo County member libraries in the amount of $4,000. Funds will be used to provide internet services and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for each site. * Approved a two-month extension of a contract for pavement markings with Sunline Contracting to allow adequate time to re-bid the contract. * Amended the Political Subdivisions Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank. The amendment extends the term of the agreement until June 30, 2021. * Amended the Revolving Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank. The amendment extends the term of the agreement until June 30, 2021. * Approved the rejection of all bids on a pavement markings contract; and authorized the public works department to re-bid the contract. * Approved the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Pension Funding policy in a routine annual procedure. * Approved the sale of back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $20,127. * Approved the renewal of a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs–Gallup Region and Navajo County for partnership in road projects. This memorandum has been in effect since 2015 and has allowed Navajo County to provide material, manpower, equipment and other road related assistance therefore providing safe and passable tribal roads within the county. * Approved a memorandum of agreement and task agreement between the county and Kayenta Township for transportation projects. The Township has requested reimbursement funding for the purchase of streetlights. Navajo County will provide $60,000 with funding to come from the HURF fund. * Approved a renewal of the memorandum of agreement between the county and the Hopi Tribe’s Department of Transportation for assistance on road projects. * Approved the abatement of property located at 197 Elk Drive in Lakeside. The property has been declared a nuisance for code violations since August 2013. * Approved a special use permit amendment to expand the site area for Hashknife Energy Center from 3,000 to 3,960 acres to build and operate a solar generator and storage facility south of Joseph City. This agenda item was a public hearing but featured no input from the public. * Adopted a resolution approving a special use permit for AJ’s Getaway RV Park for construction and operation of a recreational vehicle park consisting of 43 RV camp sites and 30 spaces for RV and boat storage at the corner of Highway 277 and Buckskin Road in Overgaard. * Approved the abatement of personal property tax bills that have been researched by the sheriff, assessor and treasurer’s offices and have been found to be abandoned. The property owners have not been found. * Awarded the annual advertising and printing contract for county business to White Mountain Publishing, LLC in the amount of $2.01 per column inch. * Accepted the surplus and seized vehicles list and authorized the publication of the notice of scheduling the online public auction July 6 through 20. * Approved tax exemptions for widows, widowers and disabled persons whose property is exempt from tax. * Approved the conducting of elections for Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake and Taylor on Aug. 4. * Approved the conducting of election for Northland Pioneer College and Navapache Hospital District on Nov. 3. * Approved the conducting of board member elections for the Domestic Water Improvement Districts of Misty Mountain, Overgaard, Wonderland Acres, Clay Springs, Joseph City, Heber, Porter Creek, Ponderosa, Three-O-Three and Woodruff on Nov. 3. * Approved the conducting of board member elections for fire districts in Clay Springs-Pinedale, Sun Valley, Woodruff, Pinetop, Timber Mesa, McLaws Road, Heber-Overgaard and Joseph City on Nov. 3. * Approved the conducting of board member elections for sanitation districts in Heber-Overgaard, Joseph City and Pinetop-Lakeside on Nov. 3. * Approved justice court reports for: Holbrook, Winslow, Snowflake, Kayenta, Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside precincts for May. * Approved constable reports for Winslow for February and March and Snowflake for May. * Approved juvenile probation and clerk of the superior court reports for May. * Heard a presentation from the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB). The group is responsible for developing a strategy to continuously improve and strengthen the workforce development system through innovation, alignment, and improvement of employment, training and education programs to promote economic growth. To reach the LWDB, visit the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, in the board chambers, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive. An option to attend the meeting electronically will be available.
