During the Oct. 10 meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, Sheriff KC Clark informed the board of the change in security at the Navajo County Complex. Currently, the complex is made secure by the Navajo County Court Security Department, but will soon be staffed with Sheriff’s deputies.
The reason for the change, Clark said, “Is as a force multiplier.” He explained that often Sheriff’s deputies are called in to provide extra security at the complex and it is in the deputy job description to, as he said, “tend to the Superior Court.”
No jobs will be lost in the transition from the Court Security Department to the Sheriff’s deputies, as the duty is only given to three individuals, but has been operating with a one-person shortage. The current Court Security Coordinator, Thomas Ortega, was offered a position within the department to continue his work, but declined and will retire instead. A second position has been offered to another security employee, and upon completion of Sheriff’s department clearances that staff member will occupy the position.
Clark said, “We have chosen a deputy and will make it a sworn position in the front, along with two civilians.” He added that the U.S. Marshal’s Office would be helping to train the court security officers as they take over with no additional cost to the county. “They will be cross trained to work in the jail and all of our detention officers will be trained on the security of the complex.” He then advised county employees to consistently wear their identification badges, and make sure they use proper entrances. The change in security has already taken place, with training to continue.
Training will also continue for Navajo County service providers of victims of crime. The County Attorney’s Office has been awarded a grant through the Arizona Department of Public Safety VOCA (Victims Of Crime Act) program in the amount of $1,500 for the training. This particular contract with the National Organization for Victim Assistance is for a training to take place in February 2018 with the topic of Trauma Informed Care. The Board approved the contract with no impact on the county budget.
The board also approved three Homeland Security grant awards. Emergency Management Director Mary Springer explained the receipt of three awards. The first one is for training and exercise in the amount of $25,531, which will be administered by the state. Springer said, “They give the funds and we request training throughout the year.”
The second grant, in the amount of $75,000 will be used for the Regional Public Safety Radio Communications Plan and Agency Road Map.
Finally, a grant in the amount of $6,800 will be used for equipment and training for the Citizen Corp Council, Springer advised, “Those are our SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) Team, and medical reserve corps volunteer organizations.”
In other business, the Board of Supervisors:
* Authorized the acceptance of grant funds awarded to Constable Greg Sharp of Precinct 6, Pinetop-Lakeside in the amount of $1,175 for clothing and miscellaneous equipment. The grant is funded by the State of Arizona’s Constable Ethics, Standards, and Training Board.
* Approved agreement between Navajo County Instruction for Success and Holbrook Unified School District to provide breakfast and lunch at a nominal fee for one year.
* Approved an agreement between the Navajo County Education Service Agency and Northland Pioneer College for the use of a mobile Maker Space Van. NPC will be utilizing grant funds to supply a van with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) materials, Navajo County Education Service Agency will provide a driver that will deliver instruction to area school districts.
* Approved letters to congress requesting immediate full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program for fiscal year 2018, and the Secure Rural Schools Program for fiscal year 2016-17.
* Approved over the counter sales of 14 back tax land parcels in the amount of $6,671.44.
* Approved an amendment to a contract with Pictometry for aerial imagery of specified areas of Navajo County.
* Approved a renewal of contract between the Navajo County Public Health Services District and Pinnacle Prevention for the services of a Registered Dietician for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
* Approved a professional services agreement with Erica Boswell, RDH for dental hygiene services through First Things First, Navajo Nation Oral Health Fluoride Program effective July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018, in the amount of $40 per hour.
* Approved a subcontract services agreement with the Coconino County Public Health Services for oral health services through First Things First, Navajo Nation Oral Health Fluoride Program effective July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018, in the amount of $140,260.
* Approved a subcontract with the Coconino Public Health Services District to provide nutrition education under the First Things First Nutrition Education Obesity Prevention Program grant.
* Adopted a resolution pertaining to the Navajo County multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved by FEMA.
* Approved the surplus and seized vehicles list and authorized its publication, and scheduled an online auction Nov. 13-24.
* Accepted the petition to establish the Pinedale Estates Domestic Water Improvement District, set a bond in the amount of $500, and set a date for a hearing on the petition for 9 a.m. on Nov. 14.
* Approved an upcoming road closure for Woodruff/Snowflake Road to facilitate bridge rehabilitation of the Woodruff/Snowflake Bridge. Public works representative Bill Bess explained that public notice would be given to residents of the area in sufficient time.
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Board of Supervisors chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook.
