During a recent Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Grant Evans, the county capital projects manager, delivered a detailed presentation on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) Challenge, an initiative overseen by the Arizona Commerce Authority. Evans stressed the importance of accurately identifying eligible properties in Navajo County for the BEAD program, particularly during March and April, to ensure its effective implementation.
The process includes a crucial challenge period, allowing internet service providers, local governments and non-profits to review and, if necessary, contest the list of addresses deemed eligible for BEAD funding by the Arizona Commerce Authority. This phase is vital to guarantee that all properties in Navajo County, especially those outside of reservation areas and categorized as unserved or underserved, are accurately identified for broadband development.
Evans disclosed that the board is considering a contract with High Street Consulting Group, LLC, in the amount of $137,104 for professional services, plus a not-to-exceed sum of $20,000 for reimbursable expenses. This contract aims to appoint a consultant who will start working in February to gather information and determine eligible properties, thus preparing Navajo County to actively participate in the challenge process in the upcoming months, maximizing the potential to secure BEAD funding.
In another segment of the meeting, Alyssa Lemmon, a Navajo County Public Health Services District nurse, addressed a significant challenge in combating child overdose and suicide fatalities in Navajo County, which is community support. She highlighted the reluctance among residents to provide aid to individuals with addictions in their neighborhoods stating, “The drug use is happening in our backyards, regardless.” Lemmon urged for a more open stance towards support systems crucial for those battling addiction.
Lemmon also emphasized community engagement as a key strategy in preventing drug-related deaths, particularly through participation in community health improvement plan workgroups. These groups can be instrumental in formulating and executing health improvement strategies, including addressing overdose and mental health issues.
Furthermore, she spoke on the effective utilization of opioid settlement funds, advocating for the involvement of individuals with lived addiction experience. Their insights can be pivotal in developing targeted support mechanisms and interventions, maximizing the impact of these funds.
Lemmon’s presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting underscored the necessity of a multifaceted approach in addressing drug use, overdose and mental health challenges in the county. Calling for a concerted effort in Navajo County, combining medical and therapeutic interventions with community awareness, support, and judicious resource allocation, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and collaborative action.
In other business, the board:
*Approved an election for the City of Holbrook on May 21.
* Authorized acceptance of the 2024 Salary Agreement between Navajo County and the Northeast Arizona Family Resource Center, dba Navajo County Family Advocacy Center.
* Amended a contract with Wilson & Company for an additional sidewalk to be improved as part of the Joseph City Pedestrian Improvement Project at an additional cost of $34,843. These additions include a sidewalk along the south side of 4th North Avenue from Westover Avenue to Randall Avenue, a sidewalk along the east side of Bushman Avenue from Main Street to 2nd North Avenue, a sidewalk along the north side of 1st North Avenue from Bushman Avenue to Westover Avenue, which extends the previously scoped improvement on 1st North Ave to the west, a sidewalk along the south side of 3rd North Avenue from Randall Avenue to the north end High School Driveway Navajo County Public Works and a sidewalk along the west side of Randall Avenue from 3rd North Avenue to 4th North Avenue.
*Accepted the declination of Dan Price as constable appointee for Precinct No. 6 and appointed Robert Railey instead.
* Proclaimed Feb. 11-14 Random Acts of Kindness Week.
* Approved a renewal of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) for funding for prevention, education and testing of sexually transmitted infections.
* Accepted an award of rapid deployable communications equipment by the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
* Amended an IGA with ADHS to extend vaccine coverage until June 2025.
* Approved the adoption of a hearing officer for health code enforcement.
* Approved a special permit for a 105-foot monopole communication tower located north of Winslow.
* Approved a text amendment to the zoning ordinances to define auctions alongside swap meets because they have similar procedures and facilities.
* Approved an amendment to Article 25, Section 2503, regarding accessory building setbacks, and Article 25, Section 2520, regarding accessory dwelling units from a 3-foot accessory building setback to a 5-foot setback from property lines and other buildings on each side of the accessory building in order to require compliance with fire code.
* Approved a text amendment to the zoning ordinances to require mobile homes older than 20 years old be certified by the Arizona Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
