The Holbrook City Council convened for a regular meeting last Wednesday, during which the council received an annual report from Chief Alex Baker of the Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department. Baker reported that while they’re typically staffed at 30 active members, they currently only have 20. “So, we’re always looking for new members,” he said.
The department has three fire stations throughout the city, one on Buffalo Street, one on Airport Road and one on McLaws Road, a training facility on Airport Road and four firetruck engines, along with a rescue truck. All the trucks are older models, built in 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2014. “We also have a reserve engine which we don’t want to use. It’s a 1971 Van Pelt. So that’s for emergency use only.”
Baker listed incoming calls for the year being 25, with no structure fires in the past two years. “Most of our calls are brush fires, rescues out on the freeway, those types of things.”
After receiving acknowledgements for the firework display and barbeque event hosted by the fire department for Independence Day, Baker stated “The biggest issue we have with fireworks this year is with the general public. Some of those personal fireworks, they’re getting out of hand,” he added, saying that some people were also hurt.
Future plans Baker has for the department include the purchase and installation of iPads in their vehicles.
Councilmember Robert Black asked if the fire department has the capabilities to take care of the four story La Quinta Inn & Suites located on the north end of Holbrook in the case of a fire. “We have capabilities to get to the top story windows, yes,” replied Baker. “La Quinta is probably one of the buildings I’m least worried about. Is it going to be a problem if it catches fire? Yes, but it’s modern construction, with sprinklers, fire department risers on every level. So as far as fire protection, it’s probably the most prepared building in the city.”
Following the report, the council approved the purchase of a new fire truck for the department in the amount of $571,521 to replace one of the department’s older trucks, which is now over 32 years old. The old truck has experienced significant issues, with a water leak and barely passing pump tests being noted in the item request.
“This truck is a stock truck, so its in production right now, and it’s on a first come first served basis. Rather than buying a custom-built truck, which is two to three years out,” explained Baker, adding it will be completed by October. The purchase has been included in the budget. Mayor Kathleen Smith did note a concern with spending $570,000 of the budget without giving the new City Manager Sharon Jakubowski Wolz time to properly look it over. “I want to make sure our manager has had a chance to go through the budget thoroughly herself, to kind of check all the different departments and make sure there is not some gap we’ve missed in some of the other departments and things like that.” Smith entertained the notion of tabling the motion but decided against it due to time constraints on the offer.
Randy Sullivan clarified that the city’s budget that was approved the previous meeting accounted for the expense of a new truck at $700,000, mentioning $130,000 savings with this truck purchase.
Manager Jakubowski Wolz noted her only concern was ensuring that there is money budgeted for the streets sector of public works, which she believed Sullivan did include in the budget.
She also responded to the idea of just maintaining the old truck, stating “I think too many times too many small rural communities like us keep putting band aids on things, and if we keep doing that, we’re going to be continually in that situation. Where, if we just spend the money now, we won’t be spending double it in a couple of years when prices are going up. You’d have to take that into consideration.” Following the discussion, the council gave unanimous approval for the purchase.
The council then held a first reading of an ordinance for levying a primary property tax rate of $0.4686 on each $100 of assessed valuation of all property, except those that are exempt by law, located within the city subject to taxation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The rate will produce $115,108 in tax revenues.
A reauthorization of intergovernmental agreement between Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (NALETA) and the city was also approved. Police Chief Nathan Christensen noted they have been working with NALETA for several years and they are the most economical option.
During the summary of current events, Mayor Smith reminded the public that the Lerma Softball tournament will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at Hunt Park.
Jakubowski Wolz stated she reached out to the county’s probation office for help with weed abatement but received no response and has reached out again. She also mentioned attending a RealAZ meeting, as well as convening with several local organization leaders in the community.
The meeting was followed by a work session, in which the council reviewed the city’s general plan and updates. The council looking at the possibility of breaking up each section of the plan and assigning a councilmember to be in charge of one or two elements of the plan. It was stated that each councilmember will invite citizens and stakeholders to participate in their respected assignment, then will present recommendations to the council for additional input. The city council plans to follow Public Participation Policy guidelines. Councilmembers have until Aug. 5 to submit their preference for which elements they would like to take the lead on and will finalize the assignments at the Aug. 14 regular meeting.
