By L. Parsons Navajo County Finance Director Paige Peterson has announced that she will be stepping down from her position with Navajo County and will begin a new position in Litchfield Park. She has been a part of the Navajo County team since 2012. During last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Assistant County Manager Bryan Layton had this to say about Peterson, “It’s hard to overstate the lasting structural impact that Paige has had on the organization, she took on the role of finance director during very difficult circumstances.” Despite those circumstances, Layton explained, Peterson took on the challenges gracefully and successfully. “She at times probably felt daunted,” he said, “but we never heard it or saw it in her. She just got to work, solving one problem after the other.” Layton also mentioned what he called a, “dramatic shift in the relationships and trust” between the finance department and other departments and offices over the past couple of years. “Budget discussions can be stressful and emotional, but everyone knows that Paige treats them fairly and competently, so they trust and respect her.” Peterson’s resignation will be effective immediately and there is no word on who will take over as finance director. Also recognized during the meeting were employees of the month of May included Bryan Cook and Cheryl Hollins from the Public Works Department and John Lancaster of Facilities Management. In other business, the board: * Approved an application for fireworks and an anvil shooting permit for Heber-Overgaard. * Approved tax exemption waiver applications for widows, widowers and disabled persons whose property is exempt. * Approved an application for extension of premises for Karin Hemesath at Gigis Pizza and More, located at 2767 Highway 260 in Heber to accommodate social distancing requirements. * Approved a grant application from the Arizona Judicial Branch and the Fill the Gap program. The amount requested is $66,744. Grant funds would pay for a trainer for the county court system saving the county money by allowing local training, reducing travel costs. * Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for precinct committeeman positions and deeming them elected in their respective party and precincts. * Modified a bank servicing contract with Wells Fargo, clarifying language pertaining to physical auditing of county documents. No impact on the budget was made. * Accepted warrant and voucher reports over $1,000 for the month of May. * Approved constable reports for March and April for Holbrook, Snowflake and Show Low precincts and Pinetop for April and May. * Approved the sale of 16 back tax land parcels sold over the counter totaling $6,651.26. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, in the board chambers, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive, with a telephonic option to attend.
