The Navajo County Board of Supervisors recently conducted elections for officers, resulting in a new leadership lineup. Jason Whiting has assumed the role of chairman, while Fern Benally will serve as vice chair. These leadership changes mark the beginning of a new chapter for the board as they embark on their responsibilities for the year ahead.
A crucial aspect of the board’s functions lies in committee assignments, and the 2024 board committee appointments for Navajo County have been officially unveiled. These appointments encompass a diverse range of responsibilities and affiliations, underlining the county’s commitment to various regional and statewide initiatives.
Jason Whiting will play a pivotal role in representing Navajo County on the Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties and will also serve as the Chairman of Eastern Arizona Counties (ECO). Daryl Seymore is set to take on multiple roles, including involvement in the Arizona Public Safety Retirement System and the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan. Seymore will also serve as an alternate member of the CSA Legislative Policy Committee (LPC).
Dawnafe Whitesinger, on the other hand, assumes the position of vice chair on the Regional Partnership Council and represents the White Mountain Apache Tribe on First Things First. Alberto Peshlakai will actively participate in the Little Colorado Community Development Corporation (LCCDC) and the NACo Health Steering Committee.
Meanwhile, Fern Benally will shoulder responsibilities on the NACo Transportation Steering Committee and the NACOG Transportation Policy Advisory Council (TPAC). These appointments underscore the county’s dedication to addressing a wide array of issues and fostering collaboration with various organizations and committees, such as the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) and the Natural Resource Working Group (NRWG), all with the overarching goal of serving the county’s residents effectively.
The board of supervisors approved a High School Internship Program Agreement with Northern Arizona Academy, an alternative charter school located in Taylor. Supported by a grant received by NAA, this program aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experience.
The program offers an incentive of $2,000 for 120 hours of a student’s internship, encouraging local businesses to participate and provide practical learning opportunities.
Beyond financial incentives, this initiative is about opening doors to career exploration for NAA students. It offers them a chance to immerse themselves in various professions, providing insights into potential career paths.
According to information provided by NAA for the meeting, the program’s structure is designed to be student-centric, with part-time positions that seamlessly align with their academic schedules. This flexibility ensures that NAA students can pursue both their education and gain valuable professional experience simultaneously.
Moreover, the high school internship program is not just about acquiring job-specific skills. It could also equip NAA students with essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are invaluable in any career. Additionally, the program provides a platform for networking, allowing NAA students to build professional relationships that could prove beneficial in their future endeavors. For many NAA students, this internship program represents their inaugural foray into the professional world.
The approval of this program by the board of supervisors underscores their commitment to the educational and professional growth of NAA’s students, setting the stage for a brighter future for both the students and the community at large.
In other business, the board:
* Approved contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. for on-call traffic engineering services at a cost of $40,000.
*Approved County Economic Development Director Chris Pasterz and Billy Smith, the owner of Griffin’s Propane in Show Low, as members of the Local Workforce Development Board.
* Approved the purchase of an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant 2024 Ford Transit 350 cargo van at a cost of $121,603 from San Tan Ford.
* Approval board member elections to be held for Timberland Acres and White Mountain special road districts and the Timberland Acres Water Improvement District.
* Approved a contract with Jeffery Millet, SEI Real Estate Professionals to provide on-call professional real estate services the cost of which will be negotiated on a project-by-project basis.
* Approved an amendment to the contract between the county and the Arizona Department of Health Services to correct a mistake with the last amendment which has no costs for the county.
* Approved a renewal of the contract with Wade Kartchner, MD, MPH for medical director and medical examiner services at a cost of $2,000 paid bi-monthly.
* Approved a renewal of the contract with Jaskiranjit Hanson, FNP for nurse practitioner services at a cost of $3,500 paid monthly.
* Approved a contract with Connect Consulting Services to create an access and functional needs operating plan at a cost of $83,415.
* Approved an abandonment of an unused stub road between lots 214 and 215 near Wild Game Trail in Lakeside.
* Approved a contract with WLB Group for culverts near Bourdon Ranch Road and Millet Swale south of Taylor for a cost of $27,400.
The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, in the board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
