County supervisors learn details and receive feedback regarding Chimney Canyon solar project

Although the site plan uses a smaller footprint, an approximately 17,995 acres is under lease for the project. It will host up to 975 megawatts (MW) in solar and an up to 750 MW battery system. Phase 1 of construction is planned to begin in 2027 and be online by 2029, and Phase 2 is to be online by 2030, with an agreement length of 40 years with up to two 10-year extensions.

Requirements for land, water and wildlife were reviewed, safety standards, water usage, assessment and studies as well as end of project life and land restoration requirements were discussed.

“As a part of our technical review, planning development services staff have found that the current design of this project meets or exceeds all design standards of the Navajo County zoning ordinance,” stated Planning Manager Cody Cooper. Fencing will comply with Arizona Game and Fish Department standards, which includes small game gaps and wildlife corridors.

County Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai asked about road use, referencing residents’ complaints he’s received on the four way stop that has been used during the building of West Camp II located south of Joseph City, and stating that the road “Is not in the condition as it was before due to the heavy traffic from construction or current construction.” Cooper replied that there would have to be an agreement for maintenance of roads utilized for construction.

Chimney Canyon Energy Center 1 LLC Project Development Manager Jake Almquist and Clearway Energy Environmental Permitting Manager Deandra Cass provided a more detailed overview of the project, as well as the benefits it will provide and the company’s commitment to safety and transparency, as well as multiple community engagement opportunities.

Joseph City residents spoke on their thoughts about the project. Ruth Hansen stated that, “There is no one in this room that is affected more negatively than I am with this project. My family has leased this land for over 150 years, and now I will not be able to run my cattle on this area,” she continued, “Still, having said that, I’m not against the solar at all. I do think they could do a lot of things to help create a symbiosis of natural resources and help the environment with this even more.” Hansen offered ideas to create a more mutually beneficial relationship between the land and solar, mentioning the increase of dust storms in the area due to the implementation for other projects in the area and that foliage would help mitigate that, as well as washing down solar panels to help plant life grow and mitigate the unsettled dirt. She also asked about the possibility of raising the height of the solar panels so antelope and other larger wildlife could still graze and use the land. “I know they’re having corridors, but that’s still 18,000 acres not being used for our wildlife and for our cattle.”

Joseph City resident Randy Baird, who is leasing some of his family’s land to the project, spoke on his rights as a private property owner and the struggle with maintaining the land as his family gets older. “The point I’m getting at is this land isn’t state land. It’s not federal, not county, not tribal. It’s private.”

Claire Bellinger with the Aztec Land and Cattle Co., which is also leasing out a part of the land that company owns, stated she appreciated the robust ordinances. She noted that the soil testing before and after the project was important, she wondered what the value of the intermittent soil testing during its operation would be. “I do sometimes question how effective a policy might be.”

Brian Jolly, who stated that his family lives and owns 160 acres adjacent to the project, also voiced his support for the project. “Those of us who have lived here for a long time have heard promises of major economic development before,” citing potash, gas and other industries that never fully came to fruition. Jolly added that Clearway has worked with him on concerns and questions. “Clearway has been great about keeping us informed through the process. They’ve included us in important project updates and they’ve worked with my family in good faith.”

Supervisor Jason Whiting noted that he wants to ensure a firm road agreement to ensure those are being maintained. Vice Chair Dawnafe Whitesinger also noted that as needing to be a focal point as well. “Ensuring that with the company that we’re having stringent conversations about what that looks like, and how do we partner with our local communities and being able to responsibly use roadways.”

Chair Daryl Seymore agreed with previous comments made by Bellinger, that soil testing before and after project implementation is fine, “unless there is some type of an event of major breakage, a major fire or something like that, then that event needs to have soil testing done at that time, and maybe periodic for a few years till we know that’s absolutely clear.”

County residents Donna Wastchak and Brent Meyer also gave their opinion in opposition to the project during the presentation. This presentation was part of a new implemented two-step process for public feedback on incoming renewable projects. It was informational and public-engagement purposes only and no action was being taken by the board. County Manager Bryan Layton also noted that the county website has a new portal where the public can share suggestions and feedback under Chimney Canyon Solar Energy Center section, which also provides details on the project. Readers can also watch the entire presentation on the county’s website.

The board took part in honoring Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Cooper Stubblefield, Deputy Chance Flores and Lead Dispatch Communications Specialist Phylicia Bennett for their efforts in helping locate a missing person who suffers from dementia and was reported missing. The man was later found safely in New Mexico due to their efforts and collaboration with other departments. Deputy Tyler Schaefer also was honored and received the Medical Aid Award for his attempt to save a victim of an ATV collision.

During call to the public, Katelynn Contreras with American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona spoke on the over 1,300 undelivered ballots that were found from 2024 during the last primary election in a Heber/Overgaard polling location. She asked that the board request a full written account from the recorder’s office and stronger procedures for voter roll clean-up and forwarding notices.

During the meeting, the board:

* Approved awarding Lacy Gayle Deets, Cody Lam and Jaycee Greer the 2026 Jana Richards Legacy Scholarships.

* Approved a letter of support for Winslow Unified School District’s building renewal grant application. The grant would fund a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system for the school gymnasium, due to the increasingly urgent health and safety concerns associated with the facility’s inadequate temperature control.

* Approved an amendment to the pavement markings contract with Arizona Lines, LLC. to extend the contract one additional year, which will now end September 2027.

* Approved contracts signed by the county manager/assistant county manager for J2 contract amendment for Linden Trails to include additional services for the tank and retention/detention basin design for Linden Trails Development project and extended the contract through May 2027. Also a John Osgood contract amendment for Little Colorado River Risk Management Project to read “Assist County, in coordination with USACE, in meeting its non-federal sponsor obligations related to project design and construction” and extended the contract to September 2027.

* Approved an amendment to the parcel fabric contract with Bruce Harris & Associates, Inc. to extend the contract one additional year, which will now end September 2027.

* Adopted a resolution canceling the Nov. 3 election for the Northland Pioneer College District and Navapache Hospital and appointing or deem positions vacant.

* Approved an amendment to the AZ-NAUA and Michael Baker International contract to renew the validate, edit, and provision (VEP) service. DATAMARK Technologies and Navajo County Services agreement, and DATAMARK Technologies and NAUA proof of concept agreement. This system manages and cleans up Geographic Information Systems mapping data for Next Generation 9-1-1 call routing. Additionally, DATAMARK Technologies requires a client services agreement with Navajo County to provide automated nightly data downloads from VEP’s cloud-based enterprise database to a secure S3 location for use by Navajo County. This service comes at a cost of $3,927. DATAMARK Technologies has implemented a pilot program at no cost to Navajo County, which will integrate Location Validation Fallout and Critical Next Generation Core Services Checks directly into VEP. After the pilot program ends, and if public works feels it was beneficial, there will be a cost for the services.

* Approved the acceptance of the surplus and seized vehicle and equipment list and authorization to publish the notice of the same scheduling the Public Surplus online auction for surplus and seized vehicles and equipment running Sept. 21-28.

* Approved the Navajo County Elections Department to conduct special bond and override elections for Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32, consolidated with the Nov. 3 General Election.

* Approved awarding the Navajo County Complex Master Plan contract to 4Line Studio LLC. in the amount of $107,371. The goal of the master plan is to craft a document that will provide a clear framework to guide the county’s development planning and facility improvements in the coming years. The term of this contract will be one year, with the option to renew up to four additional years.

* Approved the appointment of the following people to the Disciplinary Appeals Review (DAR) Committee: Ashley Ryan, Show Low human resources manager; Misty Hatch, Holbrook director of administration; Julia Wilson, Northland Pioneer College executive assistant; Katelin Lerma, Navajo County personnel commission/court service coordinator; and Krista Beazley, Fort Apache Heritage Foundation CEO.

* Approved the FY 2026 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification annual report. This report reflects last fiscal year’s expenditures and revenues for Federal asset forfeiture funds received through the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury.

Convening as the Navajo County Jail District, the board:

* Approved an agreement for the housing of inmates of the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. The agreement shall be effective until the last WMAT inmate is returned to the custos of the WMAT. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office shall be paid $180 for the first day, and $105 every day after that based on a twenty-four-hour period. WMAT shall reimburse Navajo County for all medical, dental, and/or pharmaceutical expenses incurred by, or on behalf of inmate.

Convening as the Navajo County Flood Control District, the board:

* Awarded the Woodruff Drainage Construction contract to Jud Co, LLC. The contract is to construct drainage improvements that include installation of concrete channel lining, storm drainpipe, culverts, pavement replacement and associated site work in the amount of $1,197,456. Funds are budgeted in the Flood Control District budget.

Convening as the Victory Heights Road Maintenance District, the board:

* Appointed Richard Griner to the Victory Heights Road Maintenance District Advisory Committee.

Convening as the Board of Equalization, the board:

* Approved the swore in the assessor, appraisers and petitioners approved a stipulation between the County Assessor and Petitioner on the petition for review of real property valuation of APN 210-36-048 (Corbett).

* Denied the petition and approved what the assessor appraised Real Property Valuation of APN 210-08-034 (Arizona Limited Partnership).

* Denied the petition and approved what the assessor appraised Real Property Valuation of APN 309-58-045 (Ponderosa Meadows).