The Navajo County Board of Supervisors met last week and deliberated on the future use of DS200 onsite tabulators in their voting system. This gathering was a follow-up to previous sessions where election integrity and the mechanics of vote tabulation had been hotly debated topics amidst growing public concern. Despite County Manager Bryan Layton giving presentations to the board speaking to lack of evidence of voter fraud in the county, the recently public outcry seems to spark some action from the supervisors.
At the heart of the discussion was the proposal to discontinue the use of the DS200 onsite tabulators, which had been deployed across various voting centers to facilitate the direct counting of votes. These machines, numbering 14 in total, played a crucial role on election days by allowing paper ballots to be fed into the system, tabulated, and the results securely transferred via flash drives to a central counting location in Holbrook.
The session opened with a review of the tabulators’ operational history and their role in the electoral process. The board weighed the technical aspects and security measures associated with the DS200 units. Public feedback had indicated a significant concern over the potential vulnerabilities of these machines, including the risks of hacking and data tampering.
Further discussions detailed the stringent security protocols ES&S, the company behind the machines, employed, including military-grade encryption and proprietary software development, all aimed at shielding the election process from external threats. Additionally, the legal framework guiding the use of these machines was dissected. Specifically, the legal discussion referenced state law which mandates the use of tabulating equipment unless it becomes impractical. These statutes were bolstered by opinions and letters from the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, which clarified the county’s obligations and reassured the public of the legality of the current tabulation practices.
However, this change was recommended based on the premise that centralizing the count would simplify the electoral process, reduce the burden on poll workers, and enhance the overall security and observability of the vote counting process. Officials highlighted that this move would not alter the voting experience for the electorate but would streamline operations and potentially increase transparency during the electoral process.
During the discussions, specific incidents and practical observations were brought to the forefront. Notably, an issue in Whiteriver was cited, where a DS200 unit had not been properly charged and subsequently started to run out of power during the election, leading to complications including the double feeding of four ballots. These incidents underscored the practical challenges and the necessity for training and oversight of poll workers to ensure the smooth functioning of the tabulation equipment.
The board members collectively acknowledged the thoroughness of the investigations and the efforts made to engage with the community and address their concerns. The decision to revert to using only central count tabulators was seen not just as a logistical adjustment but as a strategic enhancement to safeguard the electoral integrity of the county.
After thoughtful deliberation, the motion to cease the use of DS200 onsite tabulators in favor of exclusive reliance on central count tabulators was unanimously approved. The community’s involvement and the transparent handling of their concerns were pivotal in reaching a consensus that could work to reaffirm the trust in the mechanisms that underpin the democratic process in Navajo County.
The supervisors also discussed the proposed tentative budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025, as presented by Jayson Vowell, the county’s finance director. The session opened with Vowell acknowledging the efforts and cooperation of various departments in the budget planning process which began in late January. He emphasized the crucial role of these departments and the board’s guidance in shaping the preliminary budget. Vowell provided an overview of the county’s essential services funded by the budget, including public safety, transportation infrastructure, public only, and land use planning. He also highlighted the state-mandated services that the county is required to provide, which are supported by the general county administration and infrastructure. Vowell emphasized the importance of maintaining a flat property tax rate to keep it among the lowest in the state, helping manage residential and business costs. He explained that even with a constant tax rate, any increases in individual tax bills due to rising property values require a public hearing under state law, ensuring transparency in fiscal management. This approach is about aligning the county’s revenue streams with its expenditure commitments to sustain long-term economic health.
Capital projects were a significant focus, with ongoing and upcoming projects such as broadband expansion and infrastructure improvements discussed in detail. These projects are supported by a mix of county funds and state grants, with a notable portion of funding coming from one-time grants like the ARPA for specific initiatives such as the Winslow Levee improvement for flood prevention, enhancements to the regional communications and emergency services, and various road and bridge safety upgrades.
Vowell underscored the expectation that the budget would decrease in future years as these one-time funds are expended and projects are completed.
The meeting concluded with board members expressing their appreciation for the thoroughness and strategic focus of the overarching budget. They highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced budget and responsibly managing county funds to ensure the provision of essential services without imposing an undue financial burden on residents.
In other business, the board:
* Approved a renewal of an intergovernmental agreement with Holbrook Unified School District and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office for a 10-month school resource officer.
* Authorized a grant award from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for residential substance abuse treatment in the amount of $442,062.
* Authorized receipt of a grant between the AZ Department of Administration for emergency telecommunications services revolving fund in the amount of $289,146.
* Awarded the annual newspaper advertising and printing contract to Painted Desert Media Group, LLC dba The Tribune for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bid was in the amount of $2.11 per column inch, with no other publication bidding.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to join the Arizona Counties Insurance Pool Agreement that provides members insurances and insurance services through the IGA, Navajo county’s portion to be paid is calculated based on use.
* Approved a license extension with AZTEC Land and Cattle Co. for use of the Woodruff pit material from the pit is used by public works for various roadway projects at a cost of $1 per cubic yard of material.
* Approved a special use permit time extension for AZ3 Penrod Wireless Communication Facility.
*Approved requests for redemption of tax waivers.
* Approved IGA with AZ Department of Health Services (AZDHS)for family planning and well-women services, injury prevention services, and public health improvement programs.
* Approved an amendment to the IGA with AZDHS for addressing chronic disease and other underlying health risks due to COVID-19 extending until May 31, 2026, or until the budget is expended.
* Approved IGA with Silver Creek Flood Control District to help with drainage and improvement projects at a cost to the county of $20,000 over two years.
* Approved the following budgets for fiscal year 2024-25: Navajo County Public Health Services District; Navajo County Library District; Navajo County Flood Control District including LCR Flood Control Zone; White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District; Silver Creek County Road Improvement District; Victory Heights Road Maintenance District; Porter Mountain Domestic Water Improvement District; Fawnbrook Domestic Water Improvement District; Joseph City Street Lighting Improvement District; Navajo County Jail District; Timberland Acres Special Road District; White Mountain Lakes #2 Special Road District; and Silver Creek Flood Protection District.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
