>> [INAUDIBLE] MADAM CHAIR, IT'S NINE O'CLOCK.
[ CALL TO ORDER]
[ Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 9:00 A.M. Courts County Attorney Public Defender Sheriff Outside Agency Presentations Budget Summary]
[00:00:05]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SUPERVISOR KUKNYO.
TODAY IS A DAY OF LAW AND ORDER, RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HAVING TODAY.
STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS, LOOKING FOR A LOT OF ANSWERS, STILL WORKING THROUGH A LOT OF WEEDS.
ANYWAY, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD APPRECIATE IF WE COULD ALL STAND TO DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE JOIN ME.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT DURING OUR STUDY SESSION.
JUST SO, I PUT THAT OUT THERE.
WITH THAT, WE WILL GO AHEAD AND DO ROLL CALL. CLERK OF THE BOARD.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND MY APPRECIATION TO THE IT DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU NOTICE, WE HAVE DIFFERENT MICROPHONES TODAY, SO WE WON'T BE DEALING WITH THE BATTERIES FAILING OR HOWEVER THIS WORKS.
ANYWAY, JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT NOTATION.
I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP US WITH THIS PROCESS.
I WILL MOVE FORWARD OVER TO THE COUNTY MANAGER AND SEE IF HE HAS ANY REMARKS FROM HIM OR THE STAFF, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON WITH THE SPEAKERS.
>> MADAM CHAIR. CAN I JUST ASK YOU SOMETHING? I NOTICED THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT ARE PROBABLY HERE FOR THE LAST TWO ITEMS. IF THE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE SHOWED US ANYTHING, I THINK THOSE FIRST FOUR ARE PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE US AT LEAST TO LUNCHTIME.
DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD LET THEM KNOW THEY COULD COME BACK AFTER LUNCH OR RATHER THAN SIT THROUGH THREE HOURS OF LAW AND ORDER?
>> WELL, HERE'S THE THING. I'M GOING TO SAY NO.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO. YOU'RE THE BOSS.
I JUST KNOW IF WE PUT A TIME ON IT AND SOMEHOW WE GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES AND FINISH EARLIER, AND THEN THEY THINK SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THEN WE GOT A PROBLEM.
>> YOUR WISDOM ABOUNDS ONCE AGAIN.
>> IT'S ONLY FROM FAILURE OF PAST YEARS.
THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I'VE BEEN AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MAURY THOMPSON, COUNTY MANAGER.
THANK YOU, CHAIR FOR YOUR NOTE ABOUT IT.
HOPEFULLY, THESE WILL GET US THROUGH THE DAY.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD TO YOUR COMMENTS IS, PLEASE BE CAREFUL ON THIS SIDE OF THE ROOM.
STAFF HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO PUT CABLE COVERS OVER THOSE CORDS, BUT THEY COULD BE POTENTIAL TRIPPING HAZARDS.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROOM.
MY ONLY OTHER COMMENT IS TO DEFER TO NOW THE BUDGET MANAGER, WHAT I DISTRIBUTED TO YOU EARLIER WAS RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS THAT AROSE YESTERDAY, AS WELL AS I THINK WE'VE GOT A SECONDARY DOCUMENT, AND I'M GOING TO ASK HIM TO WALK YOU THROUGH THAT REAL QUICKLY BEFORE WE GET STARTED.
>> GOOD MORNING. ZACH WOLF, BUDGET MANAGER, YAVAPAI COUNTY.
YESTERDAY, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED DURING THE SESSION THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN FOLLOW UP.
WERE AVAILABLE WITH THOSE DATA POINTS, AS WELL AS EARLY THIS MORNING, THERE WERE SOME SECONDARY QUESTIONS THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD SHARE WITH THE BOARD AS WELL.
THERE'S STILL A COUPLE OUTSTANDING THAT WE'LL BE LOOKING INTO FROM THIS MORNING, BUT THE ONES THAT WE, WE WANTED TO WALK YOU THROUGH THIS MORNING AND MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTIRE BOARD HEARD THE QUESTIONS, AND THEN ALSO THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF WHAT WE PUT TOGETHER.
THE FIRST AND THIS WOULD BE THE FOLLOW-UP FROM THE STUDY SESSIONS FROM YESTERDAY, APRIL 30TH.
THE FIRST QUESTION WAS THE COST OF POSITIONS THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY FOR THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AS THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE NEW MODELING ANALYST.
THE ASSESSOR HAD MENTIONED THAT HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT IT SOMEWHAT OF A SWAP, SO TAKING EXISTING POSITIONS THAT ARE VACANT AND CLOSING THOSE OUT IN ORDER TO MOVE THEM FORWARD TO THE MODERN ANALYST.
WE DON'T HAVE THE EXACT POSITIONS RIGHT NOW, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THE INTENT BEHIND IT WAS TO TAKE POSITIONS OF EQUAL VALUE, SO IT WOULD BE AN EQUAL CHANGE FROM WHAT'S CURRENTLY IN THE BUDGET TO WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
[00:05:02]
AS WE TALK WITH THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE OVER THE NEXT WEEK, WE'LL GET THE EXACT POSITION AND THEN MAKE SURE IT RECONCILES OUT.THAT'S A FOLLOW-UP, BUT THAT'S THE INTENT BEHIND IT.
THE SECOND QUESTION, WHICH WAS A VERY GOOD QUESTION, IS THE POSITION COUNT FOR THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
THE TREASURER'S OFFICE SHOWED A PLUS ONE POSITION 13-14.
THAT IS ACTUALLY A DISCREPANCY.
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2015, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A CHANGE FROM A POSITION.
THANK YOU. KEEP GOING BACK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER IN TIME.
IN 2025, THERE WAS A CHANGE MID-YEAR FOR ONE OF THE POSITIONS, AND SO THAT WAS NOT COMPLETELY BACKED OUT OF THE BUDGET, AND SO IT WILL BE.
THAT WILL BE ACTUALLY A REDUCTION OF $63,321 TO BE EXACT.
THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS THAT WE CURRENTLY WOULD HAVE IN THERE, IN THE BUDGET ON A RECURRING BASIS.
WE HAVE THAT NOTED AND WE'LL MAKE THAT CHANGE TO THE BUDGET.
THE NEXT ONE WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE FUTURE BUDGET BOOKS WILL HAVE PAGE NUMBERS, AND AS WELL AS NEXT WEEK WE'LL UPDATE THE ONLINE VERSION TO HAVE PAGE NUMBERS, AND THAT WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE CHANGES THAT WE'VE BEEN PROVIDING TO THE GROUP.
YOU SHOULD HAVE ALSO RECEIVED THIS MORNING IN YOUR PACKET, THE CIP SLIDES WE WENT OVER.
WE PROVIDED AN ENTIRE DECK OF THOSE CIP SLIDES, PLUS, WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL ONE SO THAT IT WAS THE ROLLED-UP VALUES, WHICH ARE MUCH EASIER TO SEE, PLUS YOU HAVE THE INDIVIDUALIZED VALUES AS WELL.
WE HAVE KIND OF THE MAGNIFYING GLASS VERSION AND THE NON-MAGNIFYING GLASS VERSION. YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT.
THEN A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED THIS MORNING, AND I'M AT QUESTION 5 NOW, IS WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE RATE AND THE LEVY FROM THE TNT RATE AND THE FLAT RATE? THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS PROPOSING CURRENTLY A FLAT RATE AT 1.6443 OR $66 MILLION IN A TAX LEVY.
THE TNT RATE WOULD BE A REDUCTION OF 542 CENTS, AND SO THAT WOULD BE THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE TWO IS $2.18 MILLION.
THERE'S A QUESTION TO MAKE SURE THE CLARITY OF UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE TWO.
ONE OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT CAME FORWARD IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TAX BILLS EXPECTED TO BE SENT OUT THIS NEXT YEAR.
THAT WILL BE A REQUEST WE CAN PUT FORWARD THROUGH THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
THEY WOULD BE THE ONES THAT WOULD HAVE THESE DATA.
HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE ON THE NUMBER OF PARCELS.
PROBABLY THE NUMBER MIGHT BE OFF A LITTLE BIT, DEPENDING UPON WHO RECEIVES A TAX BILL OR NOT.
BUT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARCELS THAT THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE HAS VALUATIONS ON WOULD BE 78,048, WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF 0.6 FROM THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR.
WHY I PUT IN THERE THE PERCENTAGE DIFFERENCES THAT HELPS US UNDERSTAND HOW MANY NEW PROPERTIES WERE ADDED TO THE TAX ROLL, SO LESS THAN 1% INCREASE IN PROPERTIES.
THEN LASTLY, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE TOTAL HEADCOUNT OF POSITIONS BY DEPARTMENT FOR THE '25 BUDGET CURRENT AS WELL AS '25 RECOMMENDED.
I PROVIDED THOSE TABLES IN THIS WORKSHEET AS WELL.
NOTABLY, IT DID CORRECT THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
YOU'LL SEE IN THERE IT'S NO CHANGES BETWEEN FY25 AND FY26 OF WHAT'S RECOMMENDED IN THE BUDGET.
IT'S PRESENTED IN TWO WAYS, THE GENERAL FUND, AND THEN ALSO ALL FUNDS IN THERE.
THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION YESTERDAY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION TODAY.
>> MADAM CHAIR, ON THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF PARCELS, THE 0.6 INCREASE, IS AT ALL LOT SPLITS.
>> GREAT QUESTION. I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.
>> BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GROW ANY MORE LAND.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING, IT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL TAX PARCELS THAT ARE BEING TAXED.
>> GREAT QUESTION. I'D HAVE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE ON THAT DETAIL.
APPRECIATE ALL OF THE UPDATES AND THE INFORMATION THAT EVERYBODY ASKS FOR.
GOOD MORNING, SIR. HOW ARE YOU? GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS JOHN NAPPER FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT I HAVE NOT MET.
I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND I HAVE WITH ME TO MY LEFT.
JULIE MALINOWSKI, WHO STARTS SATURDAY MORNING AS THE NEW COURT ADMINISTRATOR FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY.
ROLF ECKEL IS RETIRING TOMORROW.
I CANNOT GET HIM TO, NOR DO I WANT HIM, FRANKLY, I'D RATHER HAVE YOU.
[LAUGHTER] I'M GOING TO HAVE JULIE WALK YOU THROUGH OUR SLIDE PRESENTATION,
[00:10:01]
AND THEN WE WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD, AND MAYBE I CAN GIVE YOU A LITTLE EXPLANATION OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT GOING INTO THE FUTURE, IF YOU WISH.I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE TILL LUNCH.
>> PROBABLY HAVING A GOOD LUNCH, THOUGH [LAUGHTER].
YESTERDAY, I SERVED UP COLD PIZZA BECAUSE I KEPT THE MEANING GOING TOO LONG.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. JULIE MALINOWSKI, SUPERIOR COURT ADMINISTRATOR.
FIRST, WE'D LIKE TO TALK THROUGH THE NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS THAT SUPERIOR COURT IS PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF TODAY.
FOR SUPERIOR COURT, WE HAVE EIGHT ELECTED JUDICIAL OFFICERS, AS WELL AS TWO FULL-TIME PRO TEM JUDGES AND ONE FAMILY LAW COMMISSIONER.
THE COURTS ALSO COVER THE ADULT PROBATION DEPARTMENT, JUVENILE COURT SERVICES, WHICH COVERS JUVENILE PROBATION AND JUVENILE DETENTION.
WE'RE ALSO PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF THE FIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND THE ELECTED CLERK OF COURT.
SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.
ONE THAT WE'RE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF IS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL.
WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL, AND THIS LAST YEAR, WITH THE HELP OF THE COUNTY MANAGER AND OUR ASSOCIATE PRESIDING JUDGE KRISTA CARMAN, WE WERE ABLE TO REVAMP THIS.
WE HAD A CONSULTANT COME IN AND REALLY LOOK AT WHAT WE WERE DOING AND WHAT WE WERE NOT DOING.
WE'VE BROUGHT ALL OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS TOGETHER TO REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THE PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT, HOW WE CAN MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENT.
WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE PARTICIPATION FROM ALL OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS IN THE COUNTY.
WE RECENTLY DEVELOPED OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME PROJECTS AND SOME INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO ACHIEVE TO MAKE THE PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT.
ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT IS OUR ONE JUDGE, ONE SCHOOL PROGRAM.
THIS ONE WE'RE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF AS WELL BECAUSE OUR JUDGES ACTUALLY GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, INTO OUR SCHOOLS, AND PRESENT ABOUT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.
WHAT WE DO, BASICALLY, WE LIKE TO SHARE THAT OUR COURTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, IT IS A COURT FOR THE PEOPLE.
WE'RE PRETTY PROUD TO SAY THAT THEY ACTUALLY MADE IT PART OF THE FRESHMAN CURRICULUM, THIS ONE JUDGE, ONE SCHOOL PROGRAM AT PRESCOTT HIGH SCHOOL.
JUDGE KRISTA CARMAN IS OUR CHAMPION WITH THIS PROGRAM, AND SHE'S DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB INCORPORATING OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
WE'RE HOPING TO EXPAND THAT PROGRAM IN THE COMING YEARS AS WELL.
EACH OF OUR COURT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE SUPERIOR COURT, ADULT PROBATION, AND JUVENILE COURT SERVICES HAS UNDERGONE A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TO IDENTIFY SOME AREAS IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT, HOW WE CAN BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITIES, PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO JUSTICE.
WE'VE EACH BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THAT, AND WE'VE HAD MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF, AND THAT PROCESS IS ONGOING.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF MOMENTUM IN THAT AREA, AND SO WE'RE PRETTY PLEASED ABOUT THAT PLANNING PROCESS.
RESTITUTION COURT, ADULT PROBATION IN COORDINATION WITH THE SUPERIOR COURT, WE'VE DEVELOPED A RESTITUTION COURT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO EITHER ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PAYING THEIR FINES AND FEES OR RESTITUTION.
THEY COME IN AND THEY PRESENT TO THE JUDGE, AND THEN WE FIND OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE WHATEVER THEIR FINANCIAL POSITION IS AND HOW THEY CAN BEST PAY OFF THAT RESTITUTION TO MAKE VICTIMS WHOLE.
>> RESTITUTION IS SOMEWHAT OF A TERM OF ART.
WHEN YOU ARE CONVICTED OF A CRIME, OFTENTIMES FINES AND FEES ARE IMPOSED, WHICH GOES INTO ONE BUCKET.
THE OTHER BUCKET IS, IF YOUR CRIMINAL CONDUCT HAS CAUSED FINANCIAL HARM TO A VICTIM, UNDER THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION, THAT VICTIM IS ENTITLED TO RESTITUTION, SO THAT'S A SEPARATE BUCKET.
THIS COURT IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE CONVICTED OF CRIMES THAT CAUSE ECONOMIC HARM TO A VICTIM, REPAY THE MONEY THAT THEY OWE THAT VICTIM FOR THEIR CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
IT'S A SPECIFIC COURT DESIGNED AT MAKING VICTIMS WHOLE.
THAT'S WHAT THE RESTITUTION COURT IS.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME. THANK YOU BY THE WAY.
>> [LAUGHTER] LASTLY, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST AND MOST CHALLENGING UNDERTAKINGS IS CONSISTENT FORMS AND PRACTICES ACROSS ALL OF OUR COURTS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
EACH JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT HAS AN ELECTED JUDGE THAT SERVES IN THAT COURT, AND SOME OF THE FORMS ARE INCONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD.
OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE THOSE FORMS CONSISTENT.
THOSE DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE JAIL OR LIKE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THEY CAN LOOK AT THE FORM, THEY KNOW WHERE TO LOOK IN THE FORM, AND SEE IF A PUBLIC DEFENDER WAS APPOINTED, OR SEE WHAT THE BOND AMOUNT IS, OR SEE IF THE PERSON WAS RELEASED ON THEIR OWN RECOGNIZANCE.
THE CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE BOARD IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE STRIVING TO ACCOMPLISH.
[00:15:02]
RULES ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING, AND THE LAW IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING, AND SO THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THOSE GROUPS, ONE OF THOSE COMMITTEES THAT WILL BE GOING FOR A LONG TIME, AND THE WORK NEVER ENDS WITH THAT.>> THIS APPLIES TO THE SUPERIOR COURT TOO.
JUDGES LOVE THEIR FORMS. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE LOVE THEM, BUT WE LOVE THEM, AND WE HAVE OUR FORMS, AND ALL OF OUR FORMS LOOK DIFFERENT.
THE IDEA IS TO TRY AND HAVE ALL OF OUR COURT FILES LOOK AS SIMILAR AS THEY CAN SO THAT, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT, I THINK IF YOU ASK THE SHERIFF TRIES TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT A WARRANT'S BEEN ISSUED OR WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON'S RELEASED ON BOND, THEY CAN FIND THAT INFORMATION QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY, INSTEAD OF HAVING TO FIDDLE WITH EIGHT DIFFERENT FORMS FROM FOUR DIFFERENT JUDGES.
THAT'S THE REAL CRUX OF THE FORM ISSUE IS MAKING SURE THAT THE PUBLIC CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN A COURT FILE, NO MATTER WHAT COURT THEY WALK INTO.
IT APPLIES TO SUPERIOR COURT AS WELL.
>> DEPARTMENTAL GOALS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS REALLY TO CONTINUE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNSEL PROJECTS.
AS FAR AS THE CJCC GOES, WE HAVE THE ADULT CRIMINAL WORLD, AS WELL AS THE JUVENILE COURT, HAS THEIR OWN INITIATIVES THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON IN THEIR CJCC AS WELL.
COURT INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT AS WELL.
OUR COURTROOMS. WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY TO CONDUCT REMOTE HEARINGS.
BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, AND IT MOVES ON, AND SOMETIMES IT BREAKS.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE EVALUATE WHAT WE HAVE AND WHERE WE'RE GOING AND MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T GET TO A POINT WHERE WE COME TO A STANDSTILL BECAUSE OUR COURTROOMS ARE BROKEN.
OTHER THINGS LIKE SECURITY CAMERAS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, JUST REALLY KEEPING AN EYE ON WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED MOVING FORWARD AND BEING AWARE OF WHAT THE NEEDS ARE GOING TO BE IN THE FUTURE.
THEN, AGAIN, ACCESS, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES.
THESE COMMITTEES AND THESE INITIATIVES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE. THINGS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING.
WE WANT TO BE AS HELPFUL AS WE CAN TO THE PUBLIC IN PROVIDING SERVICES, AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR COURTS ARE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE.
SOME CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING.
AGAIN, TECHNOLOGY THAT ONE'S NEVER GOING AWAY.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR TECHNOLOGY OR KEEP IT GOING, IMPROVING ACCESS TO JUSTICE, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
THAT ONE IS A CHALLENGE, I THINK FOR MOST OF OUR DEPARTMENTS IN THE COURTS.
REALLY, IT'S A MATTER OF I THINK THE COUNTY CULTURE INITIATIVE, I THINK IT HAS REALLY HELPED US.
BUT MOVING FORWARD AS LEADERS IN THE COURTS WE REALLY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO COMMUNICATE THAT THE CULTURE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE AND MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYEES FEEL VALUED AND AND THAT THEIR VOICE MATTERS.
OF COURSE, ENHANCING AND STREAMLINING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
THIS GOES BACK TO OUR CONSISTENT FORMS AND PRACTICES.
WHEN YOU GO TO ONE COURT, YOU CAN EXPECT THE SAME THING WHEN YOU GO TO ANOTHER COURT, AND THEN ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS OUTSIDE REVENUE AND UNKNOWN STATUS OF THE STATE BUDGET.
REALLY JUST SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT OUR BUDGET AS WELL.
ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT ONE, JUDGE? I WOULD SAY THAT ON THE TECHNOLOGY SIDE OF THINGS WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MORE CLOSELY, THE HISTORY AND PATTERN HAD BEEN THAT THE COURTS WOULD WAIT UNTIL THE BUILDING WAS ON FIRE BEFORE COMING TO THE BOARD AND SAYING, HEY, WE NEED NEW COMPUTERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THE IDEA IS TO ACTUALLY BE A LITTLE BIT MORE STRATEGIC ABOUT THAT SO THAT THE BOARD CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY SO THAT WE'RE LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE THINGS ARE ON FIRE SO THAT IT MAKES BUDGETING ON YOUR END A LITTLE BIT EASIER INSTEAD OF US.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD WITH.
THE COUNTY MANAGER ON IS MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SORT OF SYNCING UP OUR BUDGET REQUESTS INSTEAD OF LETTING THINGS SIT, AND I WOULD GIVE YOU THE STREAMLINING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT GOES BEYOND SIMPLY FORM.
I THINK SOME OF YOU KNOW AND MANY OF YOU MAY NOT, BUT WE DO HAVE THE FAMILY LAW NAVIGATOR, WHICH IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS.
SHE HANDLES THOUSANDS OF CASES A YEAR, AND IS GETTING PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF YOUR COURT SYSTEM SO QUICKLY THAT THAT NEVER EXISTED BEFORE.
CASES THAT USED TO SIT ARE NOW GETTING LEGS AND GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE COURT SYSTEM.
I MEAN, YOU CAN IMAGINE A SYSTEM IN WHICH YOU'RE TRYING TO GET DIVORCED.
YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE AGREE ON EVERYTHING, AND IT TAKES YOU MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS JUST TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE COURT SYSTEM BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T FILLED OUT THE FORMS CORRECTLY, WHICH IS A SILLY WAY TO DO THINGS.
WE'VE LOOKED AT LOTS OF DIFFERENT INNOVATIONS TO TRY AND EASE THE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE USING OUR COURT SYSTEM TO GET THEM IN AND OUT AS EFFICIENTLY AND QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
[00:20:02]
THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS.THE STATE BUDGET, I KNOW YOU GUYS LOVE THAT EVERY YEAR.
OPPORTUNITIES IN NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING.
AGAIN, WE WANT TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE, AND WE WANT TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE WE CAN BE REALLY STRATEGIC ABOUT WHAT THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD.
ONE OF OUR INITIATIVES AS PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL IS TO IMPROVE THE EARLY DISPOSITION COURT PROCESS.
THAT'S GOING TO INVOLVE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.
IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY HEAVY LIFT.
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT EARLY DISPOSITION COURT, WHEN A DEFENDANT IS ARRESTED ON A FELONY OFFENSE, IT'S THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE SUPERIOR COURT.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOWER LEVEL CRIMES TO RESOLVE EARLY IN THE PROCESS RATHER THAN TAKING IT ALL THE WAY TO A JURY TRIAL, AND THEN, OF COURSE, ENHANCING THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES, SIMILAR TO THE FAMILY LAW NAVIGATOR.
WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS WHERE WE CAN BETTER ASSIST THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SELF REPRESENTED.
IT'S ALREADY DIFFICULT NAVIGATING THE COURT SYSTEM, AND SO THE MORE WE CAN ASSIST THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS THE BETTER OFF OUR PEOPLE WILL FEEL ABOUT HOW THE COURTS ARE HELPING THE PUBLIC.
WE HAVE OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.
THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, I KNOW WE HAVE SOME PERSONNEL COSTS IN THAT AREA, AND I BELIEVE THAT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS FOR ALL THE COURT DEPARTMENTS COMBINED.
WE HAVE SOME PERSONNEL IN OUR SPECIAL FUNDS.
I KNOW WE HAVE OUR LAW LIBRARIAN WHO IS COVERED UNDER OUR LAW LIBRARY FUND.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME MEDIATORS THAT ARE PAID THROUGH A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
WE TRY TO BE REALLY MINDFUL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, INCOMING REVENUE AND HOW WE CAN BEST EXPEND THOSE FUNDS TO BE MINDFUL ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND, AND I DON'T KNOW, JUDGE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD WITH THE, NO? I'M NOT MUCH WITH NUMBERS.
THAT'S WHY I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL.
[LAUGHTER] MOVING ON TO OUR BUDGET REQUESTS, AND WE'VE JUST COMBINED ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER IN THIS SLIDE.
WE HAVE SOME PERSONNEL REQUESTS.
THERE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF POSITION RECLASSIFICATIONS.
WE HAVE ONE HALF TIME BAILIFF THAT WE ARE REQUESTING TO MOVE TO A FULL TIME COURT ROOM SECURITY OFFICER.
IT'S ONLY A HALF A POSITION THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR WITH THAT, AND THE JUVENILE COURT, I BELIEVE, IS ASKING FOR A RECLASSIFICATION, AND I BELIEVE THE ITEMS ON THIS SLIDE WERE INCLUDED IN THE COUNTY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
JUVENILE COURT, FOUR NEW DETENTION OFFICERS.
WE ALSO HAVE COURT SECURITY OFFICER COSTS FOR THE JUSTICE COURTS.
A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE JUSTICE COURTS IS WHEN WE IMPLEMENTED IN HOUSE COURT SECURITY, WE INITIALLY, THE SUPERIOR COURT, THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO KIND OF PACKAGE ALL THE COURT SECURITY TOGETHER FOR THE SUPERIOR COURT AND FOR THE JUSTICE COURT.
NOW, WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE ALLOCATED THREE FULL TIME EMPLOYEES TO OUR FIVE JUSTICE COURTS.
THE PRESCOTT JUSTICE COURT IS LOCATED IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FACILITY, SO THEY ARE ALREADY COVERED UNDER SUPERIOR COURT SECURITY.
WE'VE PROVIDED ONE OFFICER FOR THE MAYOR JUSTICE COURT AND ONE FOR THE VERDI VALLEY JUSTICE COURT, AND CURRENTLY, OUR PRACTICE IS FOR THE SELIGMAN AND BAGHDAD YARNELL JUSTICE COURTS.
WE HAD ONE FTE TO PROVIDE TO THOSE TWO COURTS, AND SO WE BASICALLY SPLIT IT BETWEEN THE TWO.
BUT RECOGNIZING THAT THOSE COURTS FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING THEIR REMOTE LOCATIONS, WE RECOGNIZED THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR THEM EACH TO HAVE A FULL TIME OFFICER.
WE HAD REQUESTED FOR THOSE THAT HALF TIME FTE THAT WE ALLOCATED TO THOSE COURTS TO BE UPGRADED TO A FULL TIME OFFICER AT EACH OF THOSE LOCATIONS.
THAT WAS AT THE REQUEST OF JUDGE DOWLING AND JUDGE SARNO.
THEY TRYING TO SPLIT A SECURITY GUARD IN A FIVE DAY WEEK.
SOMEONE ALWAYS GETS THE SHORT END OF THE STICK THERE EVERY WEEK, AND FRANKLY, BOTH OF THOSE COURTS ALL COURTS ARE ENTITLED TO FULL TIME SECURITY, AND SO WE'RE JUST ASKING TO FILL OUT THE OTHER HALF POSITION BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A SECURITY GUARD.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A SECURITY GUARD AT ALL COURTS AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE THE WORLD IS A NEVER CHANGING PLACE, AND THIS ACCOMPLISHES THAT GOAL AND FITS THE NEEDS OF BOTH COURTS HAVING COMMUNICATED WITH BOTH OF THOSE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
THAT THAT'S WHY IT'S ONLY A HALF A POSITION IS BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN PAYING FOR A HALF.
THE NEXT IS A AUDIO VISUAL UPGRADE AT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER HEARING ROOM.
[00:25:01]
CURRENTLY, WE USE IT AS A COURT ROOM.IT IS CURRENTLY NON FUNCTIONAL.
WE'VE TRIED TO COBBLE TOGETHER WAYS TO MAKE THAT ROOM USABLE FOR COURT HEARINGS, AND WE'RE AT A PLACE NOW WHERE WE'VE EXHAUSTED ALL OF OUR OPTIONS, AND WE NOW AT THIS POINT, WE REALLY NEED TO UPGRADE THAT COURT ROOM TO MAKE IT A USABLE COURT ROOM SO THEY CAN CONDUCT HEARINGS IN THERE.
REMEMBER HOW I PROMISE YOU THAT WE WERE WORKING TO NOT HAVE HOUSES ON FIRE? THIS ONE IS A BLAZE, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE ORGANIZED EQUIPMENT AND CABLING ON THIRD FLOOR, THAT ALSO IS ON FIRE.
THOSE TWO THINGS ARE JUST SIMPLY NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, AND SO THOSE ARE OUR TWO BURNING BRIGHT FIRES.
I SEEM TO REMEMBER THIS BEING A CONVERSATION MAYBE FROM YEARS PAST IN THE BUDGETS, AND SO I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE DOING A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE COURT SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF YOU TO HAVE WHAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CITIZENS SAFE. APPRECIATE THAT.
WE BUILT THIS GREAT BUILDING, AND THEN THERE'S A HUGE ROOM IN THERE THAT WE CAN ISN'T EVEN FUNCTIONAL TO USE.
YOU WANT THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS TO BE FUNCTIONAL AND EFFICIENT, AND FACILITIES WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO BUILD US A BENCH THAT WE USE THIS ROOM GETS USED FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSES.
WE HAVE A BENCH THAT YOU CAN WHEEL IN AND OUT.
THEN YOU CAN'T DO ANY HEARING. YOU'VE GOT THIS BIG, BEAUTIFUL BENCH AND THIS BIG BEAUTIFUL ROOM THAT NOBODY CAN USE.
THAT'S WHY IT'S INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IS IT'S JUST REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT'S JUST NOT FUNCTIONAL AND IT'S FRANKLY A WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO HAVE AN EMPTY ROOM THAT NO ONE CAN USE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, CHAIRMAN, CHAIRPERSON, I'M SORRY.
THAT'S OKAY. I HOPE WE CAN MANAGE TO GET THAT DONE SOONER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC FOR A FEW YEARS OF MY TIME HERE SO FAR. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE'VE GOT SOME LINE ITEM INCREASES FOR SUPERIOR COURT, JUVENILE, AND ADULT PROBATION.
SPECIFICALLY, ONE OF THE ONES THAT WE RECOGNIZED WE NEEDED SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN WAS THE COSTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EXAMINATIONS.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING TO TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS THAT WE'VE DONE AS COMPARED TO LAST FISCAL YEAR, SO WE SEE THAT THERE'S A NEED THERE. GO AHEAD.
I WAS GOING TO SAY I SAW THE LOOK ON.
A PERSON THAT IS CHARGED WITH A CRIME THAT IS NOT COMPETENT TO OR THERE'S AN ISSUE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL HAS TO GO THROUGH MULTIPLE EVALUATIONS BY AN EXPERT.
THIS ALSO WORKS IN THE TITLE 36 WORLD AS WELL, WHICH IS OUR COURT ORDER TREATMENT PROGRAM.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND OUR LOCAL TREATMENT PROVIDERS ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN DOING A VERY GOOD JOB OF COMMUNICATING WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THIS POPULATION, AND SO WHAT IT'S LED TO IS AN INCREASE IN OUR TITLE 36, OUR COURT ORDERED TREATMENT CASE LOAD HAS EXPLODED, AND OUR RULE 11, SO OUR COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL IN A CRIMINAL CASE HAS ALSO EXPLODED.
THOSE DON'T SOUND LIKE GOOD THINGS, BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND IF WE WANT TO GET INTO IT, I CAN TEASE IT OUT A LITTLE BIT.
ARE BOTH GOOD THINGS, BUT THEY ARE COSTLY THINGS, AND IT REQUIRES THE COURT BY STATUTE.
IT'S THE COUNTY THAT PAYS FOR THESE EVALUATIONS THAT GET DONE.
THOSE ARE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS RELATED TO EXPERT EVALUATIONS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS CONTEXT IS WE'RE JUST HAVING TO DO MORE AND MORE OF THESE EVALUATIONS, AND IN THE CRIMINAL CASE, YOU CAN HAVE THREE OR FOUR EVALUATIONS IN THE SAME CASE, AND THEN IF THE COURT DETERMINES THAT THEY CAN BE RESTORED, AND I DON'T NEED TO GET INTO THE WEEDS ON THIS.
YOU HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PERSON RESTORED TO STAND TRIAL, THAT THOSE COSTS ARE ALL WRAPPED UP IN THAT.
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE A QUESTION, SUPERVISOR, IF YOU DO.
NO, MADAM CHAIR. NO, JUST WHEN SHE SAID, WE'RE EXPECTING IT TO TRIPLE, IT'S LIKE, ARE WE GETTING CRAZY OR IS THIS JUST SOME KIND OF, THAT'S A BIG JUMP IN A YEAR.
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WE ARE BEING MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IN THE WAY WE ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE HITTING OUR COURT SYSTEM.
IN THE PAST, FOLKS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THESE TYPES OF ILLNESSES WOULD HIT OUR COURT SYSTEM.
[00:30:03]
WE WOULD DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THEIR UNDERLYING ISSUES.THEY WOULD FIND THEMSELVES OUT OF THE COURT SYSTEM AND THEN BE BACK EVERY SIX MONTHS, AND IT'S JUST A HORRIBLE WAY TO LIVE LIFE, I WOULD GUESS.
THAT WOULD BE A VERY DIFFICULT WAY TO LIVE LIFE WOULD BE MY GUESS.
BUT FROM THE TAXPAYER AND THE COURT SYSTEM, IT IS INCREDIBLY INEFFICIENT BECAUSE YOU ARE EXPENDING AN UNGODLY AMOUNT OF RESOURCES, JUST SIMPLY ADDRESSING THESE FOLKS AS THEY COME INTO THE SYSTEM, AND THE SHERIFF, I'M SURE, CAN GIVE YOU CHAPTER AND VERSE ON HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE SPENDING ON FOLKS WHO ARE INCARCERATED, WHO DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE THERE.
WHAT WE'VE DONE IS IT'S BEEN A CULTURE SHIFT, AND THE IDEA IS INSTEAD OF JUST HAVING PEOPLE COME TO OUR DOORSTEP, KICK THEM OUT ONLY TO SEE THEM AGAIN IN SIX MONTHS, TO TRY TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE THEM SERVICES, THAT LONG TERM WILL AT LET SLOW THE PROCESS OF RETURN, IF NOT SOLVE IT, AND SO NOW THERE'S MORE OF A COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE TREATMENT COMMUNITY TO TRY TO BRIDGE SOME OF THESE GAPS.
THAT'S WHY THESE NUMBERS ARE EXPLODING.
FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU HAD A PERSON WHO WAS CHARGED WITH A CRIME, WHO WAS FOUND NOT COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL AND NOT RESTORABLE, MEANING THEY WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY COULD STAND TRIAL, THAT CASE WOULD JUST BE DISMISSED.
NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THERE'S A COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL COURTS AND THE TREATMENT COMMUNITY TO SAY, HEY, WHAT ABOUT FILING A TITLE 36 HERE TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THIS PERSON SOME TREATMENT, AND SO THEY GET RE ROUTED INTO A DIFFERENT BUCKET INSTEAD OF JUST THROWN BACK INTO THE WIND.
THAT'S WHY THESE NUMBERS ARE ONE OF THE FACTORS LEADING TO THESE NUMBERS REALLY EXPANDING GREATLY.
THE SECOND IS, I THINK THERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIGGER ISSUE NOW THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST, AND THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM THESE TYPES OF ILLNESSES THAN WE EITHER CHOSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE PREVIOUSLY OR KNEW PREVIOUSLY.
I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, BUT IT'S A CONFLUENCE OF MULTIPLE THINGS THAT ARE LEADING TO THE INCREASE IN THESE FILINGS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT, AND I WILL TELL YOU IT'S STATEWIDE.
IT'S NOT A YAPI THING. IT'S A STATEWIDE.
WE ARE KNOWN, HOWEVER, I'LL JUST PLUG US AROUND THE STATE FOR HOW WELL WE ARE DOING ADDRESSING THIS COMMUNITY, AND I GET ASKED TO SPEAK ALL THE TIME.
I KNOW THE SHERIFF GET ASKED TO SPEAK ALL THE TIME ON TO TRY TO EXPLAIN TO OTHER COUNTIES WHAT WE'RE DOING BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO MIMIC WHAT WE'RE DOING.
[INAUDIBLE] COUNTY IS NOW BUILDING A CENTER OR LOOKING AT BUILDING A CENTER, JUST LIKE WE HAVE SET UP AT OUR NEW JAIL.
THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT, BUT YOU SHOULD BE AWFUL PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THAT COST IS REAPING BENEFITS NOT ONLY IN YOUR COUNTY, BUT ACROSS THE STATE.
I'M SORRY. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION, BUT, THANK YOU, SIR.
NO ONE EVER SAYS THAT TO IT, JUDGE. USUALLY, EVERYBODY'S MAD.
>> THEN THE LAST COUPLE OF AREAS ARE FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS.
JUDGE MENTIONED THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CABLING IN THE THIRD-FLOOR HISTORIC VAULT AT THE PRESCOTT COURTHOUSE. I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT A PICTURE.
WE CALL IT THE MEDUSA CLOSET BECAUSE THERE'S CABLES EVERYWHERE GOING EVERY WHICH DIRECTION, SOME OF ITS COUNTY CABLING, SOME OF ITS AOC CABLING, AND IT LOOKS LIKE JUST OVER THE YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE PLUGGED THINGS IN, AND SOME OF THESE CORDS GO SOMEWHERE, AND SOME DO NOT.
WE'RE GOING TO HIRE A VENDOR TO COME IN AND ORGANIZE THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S UP TO CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS, AND PUT IT IN A LOCKED CABINET.
THE GATED PARKING AREA AT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER.
CURRENTLY, OUR PRESIDING JUVENILE COURT JUDGE.
SHE PARKS IN A PUBLIC AREA AND HAS TO WALK TO THE BUILDING.
AND SO WE HAVE A GOOD SETUP AT THE NEW JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE JUDICIAL PARKING AREA, WHERE THEY'RE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE PUBLIC, AND IT'S WORKING REALLY WELL, AND SO WE ARE LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT A SIMILAR GATED PARKING AREA OVER AT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER SO OUR JUDGES HAVE PROTECTION WHEN THEY PARK THEIR VEHICLE AND WHEN THEY GET INTO THE BUILDING, AND THEY'RE NOT EXPOSED TO ANGRY PARENTS OR ANGRY COURT PARTICIPANTS.
IT'S REALLY FOR THE JUDGES SAFETY, THE SCATED AREA.
THEN LAST IS THE OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PRESCOTT JUSTICE COURT.
THE JUSTICE COURT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH FACILITIES.
THEY GOT SOME QUOTES TO DO SOME OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR CUBICLE AREA.
THAT COURT THEY'RE AT CAPACITY,
[00:35:02]
AND SO WE'RE HOPING TO MAKE THAT AREA A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLE FOR THEM, AS WELL AS REPLACE THE CARPET AND DO SOME PAINTING AND SOME ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT COURT.WITH THAT, WE WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> YES. JUDGE, COULD YOU SPEAK TO THE MATTER IN REFERENCE TO THE CITY OF PRESCOTT, OUR JUSTICE COURT, THE COMBINATION, DISTRIBUTING THE CASELOAD PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE?
>> SURE. GOOD. RIGHT NOW, THE COUNTY HAS A COMBINED OR A CONSOLIDATED COURT BETWEEN THE PRESCOTT JUSTICE COURT AND THE PRESCOTT CITY COURT, MEANING THEY SHARE THE SAME FACILITY, AND ONE JUDGE IS HANDLING BOTH OF THOSE CASE LOADS.
THAT'S CURRENTLY JUDGE BADA, WHO I THINK YOU SAW TENDERED HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION, WHICH I REALLY RESPECT HIM A GREAT DEAL, AND I APPRECIATE HIM VERY MUCH.
BUT I THINK IF YOU WERE TO ASK HIM, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HIM, BUT HE WOULD TELL YOU HE'S AT CAPACITY. LET ME BACK UP.
A JUSTICE COURT HANDLES ALL OF THE MISDEMEANORS THAT ARE FILED IN THE COUNTY WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR JURISDICTIONS, THEY ARE MASSIVE.
THEY ALSO HANDLE EVICTION ACTIONS.
THEY HAVE AN ORDER OF PROTECTION.
THEY HAVE THIS CASE LOAD THAT INVOLVES COUNTY CASES.
THE CITY'S JURISDICTION IS FOR ALL THE MISDEMEANORS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT HAPPEN IN PRESCOTT.
YOU'VE GOT ONE JUDGE HANDLING EVERY SINGLE MISDEMEANOR THAT'S FILED IN THE CITY OF PRESCOTT AND IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE PRESCOTT JUSTICE COURT.
THAT'S JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
THIS COMBINATION OF COURTS WITH ONE JUDGE, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER THAT IS SUSTAINABLE.
THE CITY HAS NOT REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS, SO I DON'T KNOW THEIR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE.
BUT I CAN COMFORTABLY SAY THAT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS MARRIAGE OF THESE TWO COURTS OR THE CONSOLIDATION OF THESE TWO COURTS IS VIABLE GOING TOO FAR INTO THE FUTURE.
THE CITY OF PRESCOTT, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT GROWING NEW LAND, THE POPULATION IS GROWING, AND ONCE YOU START HITTING THE COUNTY, AREAS THAT THESE SPLITS, AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, IT'S JUST BLOWING UP.
THE MORE PEOPLE YOU HAVE, THE MORE ACTIVE COURTS YOU HAVE.
IT'S NOT THE SAME COUNTY THAT IT ONCE WAS AND THE IDEA THAT THESE TWO COURTS ARE GOING TO FUNCTION UNDER ONE JUDGE LONG TERM IS NOT A VIABLE, BUT IS NOT A MEANINGFUL WAY TO CONTINUE GOING, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE, I THINK YOU COULD PEEL THE PRESCOTT JUSTICE COURT OFF AND ONE JUDGE COULD HANDLE THAT.
THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE CITY TO HIRE THEIR OWN MAGISTRATE IN ORDER TO HANDLE THE CITY COURT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
I JUST WANTED MY FELLOW SUPERVISORS TO UNDERSTAND THE CASELOAD AND WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE.
THEN ALSO, JUSTICE COURT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AN ATTORNEY IN THAT JURISDICTION, AM I CORRECT?
>> THEN THE CITY CHARTER ALSO REQUIRES THAT THE JUDGE BE AN ATTORNEY.
IF WE HAD AN ELECTION AND SOMEBODY'S ELECTION OR TO MISS PEDIA'S POSITION THAT IS NOT AN ATTORNEY, THEN IT WOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC SPLIT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T THEY COULDN'T HANDLE THE CASE LOAD, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS COME UP.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FILL THE TERM, THE BOARD WILL HAVE TO HIRE THE NEXT NOT HIRE, JUST MORE FORMALLY, APPOINT THE NEXT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WHO THEN RUNS IN THE VERY NEXT ELECTION.
HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE NOT HAD FOLKS APPLY FOR THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE POSITION THAT WE'RE NOT ATTORNEYS BECAUSE THERE IS THIS COUPLING OF THE CITY MAGISTRATE AND THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LAW-TRAINED, A CITY MAGISTRATE DOES.
IN ORDER FOR THOSE TWO CASES, KATE COURTS TO REMAIN CONSOLIDATED, YOU WILL HAVE TO APPOINT SOMEONE WHO IS LAW-TRAINED AND AS SUPERVISOR COMPTON MENTIONED, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RUN IN THE VERY NEXT ELECTION, SOMEONE MAY DECIDE THAT THEY WANT TO RUN TO BE THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE THAT IS NOT LAW-TRAINED AND IF THAT PERSON WERE TO BE ELECTED, YOU WOULD AUTOMATICALLY HAVE TO SEVER THOSE TWO COURTS.
SO FAR, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THERE'S BEEN THIS LAW-TRAINED, NOT LAW-TRAINED PROBLEM.
[00:40:01]
BUT IT IS OUT THERE, AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, IT'S ON APPEAL.SORRY. I HAD A CASE WHERE THIS ISSUE CAME UP, AND I HAD TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ABOUT A COUNTY'S POLICY RELATED TO BEING LAW-TRAINED WAS CONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE THERE'S AN AMENDMENT ON THIS.
SOMETHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT IN THE FUTURE, IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT INFORMATION. I'M LEARNING A LOT.
BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR STAFF IN RELATION TO DOCUMENTS WE HAVE HERE.
BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL COURTS, I THINK SOME OF IT'S A LITTLE BIT CONFLATED IN WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
BUT FOR SUPERIOR COURT, IN PARTICULAR, I AM SEEING THAT THE REQUEST FOR A NEW COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALIST IS NOT RECOMMENDED, BUT IT IS LISTED IN THE TOTAL FTE, INCREASE SO THAT WAS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
THEN, ALSO, WHAT I'M SEEING IS NOT RECOMMENDED IS A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL COURT SECURITY OFFICER, WHICH DOES NOT APPEAR ON HERE.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S ALL CORRECT.
>> YEAH. THANK YOU. LET ME LOOK INTO THAT BECAUSE, THE CONSOLIDATION, YES, THEY HAVE WHAT WAS JUST PRESENTED RIGHT NOW TO THE TOTALITY OF THE BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS.
THERE WERE 20 BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED, 15 ON AN ONGOING BASIS ACROSS ALL FIVE, AND THEN FIVE NONRECURRING.
I'LL LOOK INTO THOSE TWO INSTANCES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE REPRESENTED CORRECTLY.
>> BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A BUDGET ENHANCEMENT.
>> I'M USUALLY SEEING THAT FOR ONLY THINGS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED.
>> YEAH. LET ME DOUBLE-CHECK ON THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S REPRESENTED CORRECTLY.
>> CHAIR. IF I MAY, JULIE, WOULD YOU GO BACK TO FOR ME THE RECOMMENDED SLIDE THERE.
JUDGE, WE PROBABLY NEED TO HEAR POINT OUT ON THE FOUR NEW DETENTION OFFICERS FOR JUVENILE COURT THAT THE ORIGINAL ASK WAS SEVEN.
YOU CAN SEE RECOMMENDING FUNDING FOR FOUR HERE.
HOWEVER, IN WORKING WITH THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND THE JUVENILE PRESIDING JUDGE, I AM PROPOSING THAT WE FUND AN ADDITIONAL TWO THAT WE SET ASIDE IN CONTINGENCY.
WHAT WE HAVE AGREED UPON IS ONCE THEY REACH FULL EMPLOYMENT, MEANING THEIR CURRENT ALLOCATED DO OFFICERS ARE ALL FILLED, PLUS THE ADDITIONAL TWO.
>> THE WAY WE'VE WRANGLED THIS, MAURY AND I DID SOME WRANGLING.
IT WORKED OKAY. WE WERE ABLE TO REACH AN ACCORD, I THINK.
I THINK, WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO REQUEST, MAURY, IS THAT TWO POSITIONS ARE CREATED NOW.
WE ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR SEVEN.
THE WAY THIS IS GOING TO ROLL OUT IS, TWO OF THEM WOULD BE APPROVED IN THE BUDGET RIGHT ON THE FRONT END.
THE REMAINING TWO, MAURY WOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE ONCE WE FILL THOSE POSITIONS, WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO AVOID, WHICH I RESPECT AND MAKE SENSE FROM A BUDGET PERSPECTIVE.
THERE'S NO POINT IN CREATING A BUNCH OF POSITIONS THAT ARE GOING TO SIT EMPTY.
NO ONE'S IN THEM, AND YOU'VE HAD ALLOCATED THESE FUNDS TO THESE POSITIONS THAT NOBODY'S IN.
THE AGREEMENT THAT WE REACHED WAS, AS WE REACH CAPACITY ON EACH ONE OF THESE POSITIONS, A NEW POSITION WILL BE CREATED UP TO FOUR. I'M SORRY.
>> I JUST HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, IF THOSE TWO POSITIONS WERE TO BE FUNDED OUT OF CONTINGENCY, THEY WOULD PROBABLY GO TO THE BOARD AND NOT TO YOU, CORRECT?
>> HOWEVER, WE WANT TO STRUCTURE THAT.
YEAH, THAT WOULD BE A DECISION.
>> BUT THE IDEA BEING THAT WE'RE GUARANTEED THE FOUR SLOTS IF WE GET TO WHERE WE NEED THEM.
WHAT WE DO NEED THEM CAN FILL THEM BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING ON NOW IS YOU HAVE A DETENTION FACILITY FOR JUVENILES, WHICH IS UNDERSTAFFED, WHICH IS CAUSING ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ABILITY TO MONITOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON PROBATION ON JUVENILES.
I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE WEEDS ON ALL OF THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON IT.
BUT THE IDEA IS THERE'S FOUR POSITIONS, BUT THEY COME ONLINE ONLY WHEN THE OTHER POSITIONS ARE FILLED.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO OVERSTEP MAURY ABOUT WHO WOULD BE IMPROVING THAT, BUT THE IDEA IS THERE'S FOUR KIND OF GUARANTEED SPOTS SO THAT WE KNOW WE CAN RUN OUR JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY WITHOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE CURRENTLY OCCURRING AND THAT WE WANT TO ELIMINATE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
>> THEN CHAIR, MY FINAL COMMENT WAS, THE JUDGE TOUCHED ON THE WRANGLING.
[00:45:01]
>> I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY SAY, THANK YOU.
IT CONTINUES TO BE A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU AND TO DO THAT WRANGLING, BECAUSE OFTEN THAT LEADS TO A COMPROMISE THAT ACCOMPLISHES WHAT THE COURTS NEED TO, WHILE KEEPING THE IMPACT ON THE COUNTY BUDGET AT A MINIMUM.
YOU ALL HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD TO WORK WITH, TO FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE NEEDS, AND AGAIN, JUST A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH THE COURT SYSTEM, I THINK WE'VE BUILT AN EVEN CLOSER WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
THANKS TO YOU, THE PRESIDING CRIMINAL JUDGE, JUDGE CARMEN, AND JUDGE YOUNG ON THE JUVENILE SIDE, AGAIN, IT'S A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH FROM THE COUNTY SIDE. THANK YOU ALL.
>> AGREED. WE HAVE SOME NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED THAT WE AGREED TO FOREGO IN THIS BUDGET BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S ISSUES AND PINCHES, AND SO IF WE CAN DO THINGS IN A MANNER THAT ACCOMPLISHES OUR GOALS ACROSS TIME, BUT DOESN'T CAUSE PAIN IN THE IMMEDIATE BUDGET CYCLE WE'RE CERTAINLY WILLING TO ACCOMMODATE THAT AND WORK WITH YOU FOLKS AS CLOSELY AS WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING WHAT WE NEED, AND YOU FOLKS ARE NOT PUT TO THE SCREWS TO TRY AND FUND THINGS THAT WE CAN WAIT ON.
>> JUDGE, WE ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
AS THIS COUNTY KEEPS GROWING, I THINK THIS BOARD HAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DEFINITELY ARE TURNED A CORNER HERE.
THERE ARE DEMANDS THAT, LIKE YOU SAID, WE ARE NOT THE COUNTY WE USED TO BE.
WHAT USED TO WORK JUST IS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE, AND WE NEED TO WALK THROUGH THIS WITH OUR EYES OPEN.
THE ONE THING THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BENEFITED FROM SINCE I CAME TO BEING A SUPERVISOR WAS I WAS ABLE TO GO TO SOME OF THE COURTS AND SIT THROUGH A DAY OF THIS, AND IT REALLY HELP ME UNDERSTAND AS I WATCH ALL OF YOU WORK, THE ADOPTION; WE SAT THROUGH THAT.
THAT WAS AMAZING WHEN YOU WATCH THESE FAMILIES ADOPT THESE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE JOY AND IT'S JUST AN AMAZING DAY.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT THE COURTS DO FOR THE COMMUNITY, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK IT'S JUST ABOUT.
IT'S ALWAYS LIKE SOMEONE GOES TO JAIL.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT YOU DO TO HELP PEOPLE MAKE IT THROUGH THIS LIFE THAT WE ARE ALL STRIVING TO.
WE ARE HERE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN, AND GOING FORWARD, WE'LL BE SOME GROWING PAINS, BUT WE'RE IN IT.
>> I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THAT.
I'D LIKE FOR YOU FOLKS TO KNOW, BECAUSE, I'M SITTING IN THIS CHAIR NOW AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE NEXT FOLKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS AND COMMUNITY, HOW WELL WE ALL WORK TOGETHER AND HOW MUCH WE ALL MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO FIND WAYS TO COMPROMISE SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO EFFICIENTLY ADMINISTER WHAT IS, I THINK, A LITTLE BIT OVER 50% OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY BUDGET, IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, MAURY FROM MY WRANGLING.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT ALL OF US ARE DEEPLY RESPECTFUL, AND I DON'T MEAN TO SPEAK FOR THE SHERIFF AND ALL THOSE FOLKS; THEY'LL SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND OUR CRIMINAL PROBATION DEPARTMENT, ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS WERE ALL ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
I HAVE BEEN IN COUNTIES WHERE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, AND IT IS NOT HEALTHY, AND IT IS BRUTAL, AND IT MAKES YOUR JOB FAR HARDER THAN IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE, AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE COOPERATION OF THE LEADERS OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
I APPRECIATE THE CREDIT, AND I'M THANKFUL FOR IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SHARING THAT EQUITABLY, AND IT'S NOT JUST THE COURT.
IT'S ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER, ALL OF US RUNNING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
ALL OF US WORKING AS HARD AS WE DO THAT MAKES THIS ALL WORK.
>> WE HAVE NO MORE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?
>> I GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS. JUDGE, YOU SAID THAT YOU HADN'T STARTED TALKING WITH PRESCOTT YE.
ANY PLANS TO START THAT CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S TIME.
I SUPPOSE WHAT I WOULD DO IS I WOULD TAKE MY DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD ON THAT.
I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO SEPARATION OF POWERS THINGS HERE, BUT WHETHER OR NOT A COURT IS CONSOLIDATED IN MANY RESPECTS, IS A DECISION THAT THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE COUNTY MAKES.
[00:50:04]
HOWEVER, IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, THERE'S AN IGA BETWEEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE CITY OF PRESCOTT.THIS LINKAGE HAS A HISTORICAL ROUTE IN YAVAPAI COUNTY AND IN ITS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE CITY OF PRESCOTT.
I HAVE NOT TINKERED WITH THAT.
I HAVE NOT BEGUN NEGOTIATIONS OR EVEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SEPARATING THE TWO COURTS.
I THINK IT'S COMING TO A HEAD NOW WHERE IT HAD NOT IN THE PAST, AND WHILE IT'S WITHIN MY DOMAIN, I SUPPOSE, I CERTAINLY WOULD WANT SOME INSTRUCTION FROM THE BOARD ON YOUR THOUGHTS AT LEAST BEFORE I START APPROACHING THE CITY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A SEVERANCE OF THESE TWO COURTS AND TO BE FAIR TO THE CITY.
THEY HAVE MUCH OF THE APPARATUS.
THEY WOULD NEED TO APPOINT THEIR OWN JUDGE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE FACILITIES.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY HAVE THE FACILITIES.
I'D HAVE TO GO START THAT CONVERSATION.
MY EXPERIENCE AS THE PRESIDING JUDGE IS WHEN I START A CONVERSATION, IT IS NOT AN INNOCENT, "HEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT?" WHEN THE PRESIDING JUDGE WALKS INTO YOUR OFFICE, THAT IS LIKE, "THE WORLD'S COMING TO A PART HERE." I'D PREFER NOT TO GO ABOUT IT THAT WAY.
AT LEAST NOT WITH CLEAR DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD SAYING, "LOOK, WE'RE INTERESTED IN SEVERING THIS RELATIONSHIP.
WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION, AT LEAST FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT THE NEXT STEPS LOOK LIKE IN SEVERING THESE TWO COURTS." THEN I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO GO TO THE CITY AND SAY, "HEY, LOOK, THE BOARD'S LOOKING AT THIS, I'M LOOKING AT THE CASELOADS HERE.
THIS ISN'T SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM. WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO?" BUT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND HAVE BOTH THE BOARD AND THE CITY LOOKING AT ME LIKE, "WHY ARE YOU ROCKING THE BOAT HERE? WE'RE ALL HAPPY."
>> BUT IF IT NEEDS TO START WITH US, I SUPPORT A STUDY SESSION GOING FORWARD ON THAT.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA.
MY OTHER ONE WAS, YOU DIDN'T TALK ANYTHING ABOUT SPACE.
UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS DEALING WITH THE FAMILY LAW NAVIGATOR MYSELF, AND HER OFFICE IS AN ENTRYWAY OF THE COURTHOUSE, ESSENTIALLY, IN A HALLWAY.
I'VE VISITED YOU GUYS, AND YOU GUYS SEEM LIKE YOU'RE PACKED IN THERE PRETTY GOOD, TOO.
AS WE GROW AS A COUNTY, AS WE NEED MORE PEOPLE ON BOARD, WHAT DO WE NEED IN THE WAY OF SPACE MOVING FORWARD?
>> SPACE. [LAUGHTER] I THINK, SUPERVISOR KUKNYO, MY WIFE WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE, WHEN SHE WAS A KID, EVERY SINGLE COUNTY OFFICE WAS IN THAT.
JUDGE YOUNG'S NODDING HER HEAD. EVERY SINGLE COUNTY OFFICE WAS IN THAT BUILDING.
THE IDEA OF THAT NOW IS LUDICROUS, AND WE'RE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS. YOU'RE GOING TO, AT SOME POINT, NEED TO LOOK AT NEW COURT FACILITIES.
WE'RE NOT THERE NOW, BUT I KEEP SAYING UM.
NOT A WAY TO ADDRESS A FORMAL BODY, SO I APOLOGIZE FOR MY UMS. BUT ON THE FLY HERE, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO ARTICULATE EXACTLY WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, BUT OUT AT THE NEW FACILITY, THE WAY THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED WAS THERE WAS THE ABILITY TO ADD COURT ROOMS OUT THERE AS WE WENT ALONG.
BEFORE YOU GO DOWN THAT ROAD, WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO IN THOSE NEW COURT ROOMS BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD COURT ROOMS WE CAN'T USE IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL ABOUT IT.
>> DID WE MISS OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE POST OFFICE ACROSS THE WAY BECAUSE THOSE WERE COURT ROOMS, AND NOW THEY'RE AN EVENT VENUE?
>> I CAN'T COMMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.
WHAT I CAN SAY IS, I THINK I TRIED THE LAST CASE IN THAT COURTROOM TO A JURY, AND THE FEDERAL COURT CLOSED IT BECAUSE THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS CHALK FULL OF ASBESTOS.
I REMEMBER SHERIFF MASCHER AT THE TIME.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL COURT ROOM IF YOU HADN'T BEEN IN IT.
SHERIFF MASCHER WAS, I KNOW, INTERESTED IN THAT BUILDING, BUT I BELIEVE AS HE BEGAN TO POKE AT IT AND WAS ASKING BOARD MEMBERS TO POKE AT IT, THE COST TO REFURBISH IT WAS OUTRAGEOUS.
NOW, I MAY BE MISREMEMBERING ALL OF THAT, BUT I REMEMBER THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ON IT THAT JUST DIDN'T EVER GET VERY FAR.
I CAN TELL YOU IT WAS A LITTLE DISCONCERTING HAVING TRIED
[00:55:01]
A TWO-WEEK JURY TRIAL IN THERE TO FIGURE OUT I'VE BEEN SWIMMING IN ASBESTOS FOR TWO WEEKS.>> WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THIS PRESENTATION OF THE NEED FOR SPACE, IF THERE IS, BECAUSE IF SOMEONE'S OPERATING OUT OF A HALLWAY AND THAT'S HE OFFICE, WE PROBABLY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT SOMETHING.
>> WE WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO PUT TOGETHER A PRESENTATION FOR YOU ON WHAT SPACE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE.
I THINK THE WAY WE WORK TOGETHER IS WE CAN DO THAT IN A REASONABLE WAY WITHOUT TRYING TO BREAK THE BANK TO TRY AND FIND ADDITIONAL SPACE.
WE'RE NOT GROWING ANY MORE LAND.
IT'S NOT GOING TO GET ANY BIGGER. WE'RE MAXED OUT.
THE COUNTY'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A THOUGHTFUL, MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT SPACE WHEN THE BOARD IS READY TO HAVE THAT.
WE ARE READY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
>> WE GOT A DOUBLE WIDE COMING FREE IN CONGRESS.
WE CAN ALWAYS PUT THAT ON THE SOUTH LAWN.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS COME UP, AND I'LL JUST GIVE YOU THIS IS A SIMPLE ONE.
I THINK THE SHERIFF EVEN, YOU HAVE THE BUILDING OVER THERE.
YOU HAVE JURORS WHO ARE NOT PROPERLY ACCOMMODATED IN THAT BUILDING.
WE DO NOT HAVE A SPACE TO DO JURY ORIENTATION PROPERLY.
WE DON'T HAVE A PROPER JURY ASSEMBLY ROOM.
WE DON'T HAVE A PROPER DELIBERATION ROOM FOR OUR JURIES IN THE NEW BUILDING.
YOU GUYS BUILT THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT, BUT I'M TELLING YOU, WHEN WE TALKED, I THINK DEPUTY [INAUDIBLE] AND I TALKED ONE TIME ABOUT PUTTING A DOUBLE WIDE OUT THERE AND BUILDING A SIDEWALK TO IT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE THESE BUILDINGS FUNCTIONAL.
WHEN THE TAXPAYERS BUILD US A BUILDING, WE WANT TO USE IT.
WE DON'T WANT IT TO REMAIN IN THE DARK.
THERE ARE SPACE NEEDS. IF THE BOARD IS LOOKING AT HAVING THAT CONVERSATION, I WELCOME IT, AND I WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
>> I JUST WANT MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE CITY OF PRESCOTT AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPACE NEEDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF WHAT MAY BE GOING ON.
I SUPPORT SUPERVISOR KUKNYO IN REFERENCE TO HAVING A STUDY SESSION TO THIS, SO WE'RE AWARE WHEN IT COMES TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, WHAT WE'RE ALL FACING, AND I THINK IT SHOULD HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, IF POSSIBLE.
>> TO THE EXTENT THAT THE COURTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THAT, WE WOULD LOVE TO.
>> IT'S INTERESTING. YESTERDAY, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A CONVERSATION REGARDING GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AS A WHOLE.
>> THERE WAS THIS REMARK MADE, I DON'T KNOW IF THE WORD TAJ MAHAL WAS USED, BUT SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT.
I HAD SAID, "WHEN YOU BUILD A CRIMINAL JUST ICE CENTER, YOU HAVE TO TALK WITH THE JUDGES.
YOU HAVE TO TALK WITH EVERYBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE IN THIS, AND ALSO YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE LAWS OF FEDERAL IN ORDER HOW YOU BUILD THAT." THE WHOLE POINT OF BUILDING THAT WAS THE HOPE THAT WE WOULD ADD ON AND DO THINGS WHAT WE DID.
I WILL SAY, I AM SO GLAD WE DID BUILD IT BECAUSE TODAY, IT NEVER WOULD HAPPEN THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, BUT I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THAT STUDY SESSION GOING FORWARD BECAUSE THE WHOLE POINT WAS TO BUILD THAT TO WHERE IT DOES WORK FOR THE FUTURE OF YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND MAYBE WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE HAVE THE AVAILABILITY TO DO THOSE THINGS AND MAKE MAYBE WHAT'S NOT WORKING WORK.
I AGREE. WHEN WE SPEND THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, WE NEED TO SPEND IT.
IT'S LIKE WE'RE DOING OUR OWN HOUSE HERE.
HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN HOUSE? WELL, THAT'S HOW WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THIS.
DEFINITELY, I WOULD LIKE THE COURTS THERE.
WE DO NOT LIVE IN THE WORLD THAT YOU DO.
>> I'D LOVE TO BE A PART OF IT.
I DON'T MEAN TO SUGGEST THAT THE NEW BUILDING ISN'T WORKING.
IT'S WORKING GREAT. IT'S STUFFED TO THE GILLS NOW, TOO, ON THE COURT SIDE.
WE'RE USING IT, AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS HAVE A TENDENCY TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON, AND FOR THREE YEARS, YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH BUGS.
THAT'S PRETTY WELL IRONED OUT.
THAT BUILDING'S CRUISING, AT LEAST FROM THE COURT'S PERSPECTIVE.
I DIDN'T WANT MY COMMENTS ABOUT JURY TRIALS OVER THERE TO SUGGEST THAT THE BUILDING IS NOT WORKING.
IT'S WORKING GREAT. WE'RE JUST SAYING IT COULD WORK BETTER.
>> ABSOLUTELY. ANY OTHER OR ARE WE OKAY? JUDGE, ARE WE GOOD?
>> WE ARE GOOD. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ONE FINAL THING, AND THAT IS THANK YOU TO JULIE MALINOWSKI.
YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW IT BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU, BUT IT'S SUPER INTIMIDATING FOR US WHO ARE SITTING IN THIS CHAIR.
THIS WAS JULIE'S FIRST CRACK AT IT, AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS WONDERFUL.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO JULIE BEFORE WE BREAK.
>> SHE'S PRETTY GOOD FOR SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T START FOR TWO DAYS.
[01:00:03]
SHE'S NOT SO BAD.I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT, BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU, AND IT'S OUR HONOR TO BE HERE, AND WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN OUR NEEDS AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE TWO STUDY SESSIONS, SPACE, AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CONSOLIDATED COURT, I'M WILLING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
>> OF COURSE, WE'RE STILL ALSO IN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHEN THOSE OTHER DETENTION OFFICERS, WHATEVER THAT CONVERSATION WAS, MAKE SURE THAT THAT WOULD GET ON TO THE BOARD AS WELL, AND LET US KNOW WHEN THAT'S COMING THROUGH.
I DON'T CARE HOW MANY TIMES YOU DO THIS.
SITTING IN THESE CHAIRS KEEPS YOU HUMBLE.
>> IT DOES, WHICH IS GOOD FOR ALL OF US.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE THE BOARD FOR SURE.
>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. GOOD MORNING, DENNIS.
>> [BACKGROUND] CHAIR MALLORY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, GOOD MORNING.
I'D LIKE TO DO A SPECIAL WELCOME TO SUPERVISOR JENKINS. WELCOME TO THE MEAT GRINDER.
[LAUGHTER] BY MY CALCULATION, THIS IS MY 25TH BUDGET I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN WITH THE COUNTY.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH SOME CHANGES OVER TIME.
I WANTED TO START MY REMARKS BY SAYING I AM 100% IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUED COLA RACES FOR THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS THE MERIT, THE PROCESS.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH UPS AND DOWNS.
OVER THE 25 YEARS, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN MANAGEMENT.
I KNOW THE BOARD FEELS THIS WAY, TOO, I'M STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF SOME REALLY, REALLY GOOD PEOPLE.
THEY DO REALLY, REALLY GOOD THINGS, AND I GET TO BE THE PUBLIC FACE OF MY ORGANIZATION, BUT THEY'RE DOING THE HEAVY LIFTING.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IN MY MIND THAT WE TREAT THEM WELL.
WE DO HAVE NEEDS TO ADD TO STAFF, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE HAVE.
I WOULD ALSO START MY COMMENTS BY SAYING, THE TERM STRUCTURAL BUDGET.
I'M 100% IN SUPPORT OF THE STRUCTURAL BUDGET.
HONESTLY, IN THE 25 YEARS, THAT TERM I'D NEVER USED BEFORE UNTIL I THINK WHAT THREE DAYS AGO, FOUR DAYS AGO.
I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT, AND I WILL USE THE TERM AND HOPEFULLY, APPROPRIATELY, BUT I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M 100% IN SUPPORT OF THAT.
I'VE MET WITH COUNTY MANAGER THOMPSON AND HE IS SAYING, "YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING YOU'RE ASKING FOR." WE HAVE THIS GOAL OF A STRUCTURAL BUDGET.
HE'S GOT A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
I'M ASSUMING WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE BOARD IS GOING TO SUPPORT THAT IDEA AND THAT VISION.
I AM 100% OKAY WITH HIS RECOMMENDATIONS OR THE MANAGEMENT TEAM'S RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE BUDGET.
HOPEFULLY, I CAN GO FASTER THAN TREASURER DAVIS, BUT I DON'T THINK I'LL QUITE GET AWAY FROM SUPERVISOR COMPTON THAT FAST.
WITH THAT, WE'LL BEGIN THE SLIDES.
THIS IS MY OFFICE, AND BASICALLY IT BOILS DOWN TO WE HANDLE ALL THE FELONIES WITHIN THE COUNTY.
ALL THE MISDEMEANORS, I HAVE JURISDICTION OVER, BUT THE CITIES, AS YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT, HANDLE THEIR OWN MISDEMEANORS.
IF THEY HAVE A CONFLICT, WE'LL TAKE THOSE.
IN FACT, THE CITIES WILL TAKE CONFLICTS FROM US.
FOR INSTANCE, IF A CITY EMPLOYEE THAT'S TOO CLOSE TO THE PROSECUTOR GETS IN TROUBLE, THEY'LL CALL US, WE'LL TAKE THE CASE AND VICE VERSA.
IT SAVES THE TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DABBLES IN THE COUNTY EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONLY ENOUGH FOR US TO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HANDLE THE FELONIES AND THEY DON'T.
THEY HAVE A LIMITED JURISDICTION WHEN IT COMES TO PROSECUTION.
OTHER THAN THAT WE HANDLE ALL OF THAT.
WE DO HAVE A CIVIL DIVISION THAT'S PROBABLY NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART.
[01:05:02]
THEY PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE TO THE DIFFERENT COUNTY OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS.THE BAD CHECK PROGRAM IS STILL IN EXISTENCE.
WHEN I TOOK OVER MANAGEMENT, I THINK THERE WERE FIVE OR SIX.
ONE OF THESE DAYS, I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK IN MY MEMORY BANK AND SEE IF I CAN NAME THEM, ABOUT FIVE OR SIX EMPLOYEES, PEOPLE WRITING CHECKS.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S A PART-TIME POSITION, BUT WE STILL HAVE THE PROGRAM.
I SUSPECT WITH CREDIT CARD CHARGES, THAT THING WILL RAISE ITS HEAD AGAIN AND BE A LITTLE BIT MORE USEFUL, BUT IT STILL EXISTS.
THE CHECKS HAPPEN TO BE LARGER.
THEY'RE TYPICALLY CONSTRUCTION-TYPE CHECKS, THE 50,000, $60,000 TYPE CHECKS THAT WOULD NOT BE ABNORMAL.
VICTIM SERVICES IS A HUGE, HUGE PIECE OF OUR OFFICE AND A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE.
A SMALLER PIECE WITHIN THAT IS CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION.
WE GET SOME FUNDS FROM THE OUTSIDE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO HELP VICTIMS WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES.
WE DEAL WITH MEDICAL PROVIDERS IN NEGOTIATING DOWN BILLS AND THEN HELPING COVER DIFFERENT BILLS.
IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT'S 100 AND SOME THOUSAND DOLLAR SHY OF 200,000, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.
WE'RE NOT A HUGE STAT-DRIVEN OFFICE.
AS I WAS EXPLAINING TO MOORE, IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE US TO DO.
THEY WOULD SAY ONE CASE EQUALS ONE CASE, IT DOESN'T.
A DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CASE CAN BE A FEW MINUTES.
A MURDER CASE CAN BE HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOURS.
IT DEPENDS, BUT THAT CAN ALSO FLIP.
IF YOU'VE GOT A RICH GUY AND A CAUSE AND A SMALL LOW-LEVEL FELONY, THAT COULD COST YOU HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF NOT THOUSANDS OF HOURS, WHERE A MURDER CASE, WE'VE HAD THEM WHERE THEY CALLED UP AND WANT TO ADMIT GUILT AND ACCEPT A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT THAT'S ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH US AND THE VICTIM.
THEY CAN DO THAT WITHIN WEEKS.
THEN SOMETHING YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO DUMP HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF HOURS INTO TAKES, NOT VERY LONG.
I WAS SHY. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE.
>> BASICALLY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP THREE, WE JUST INTEND TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE DO AND DO IT WELL.
THE BOTTOM ONE IS AN ISSUE THAT IS RECURRING AND GROWING.
WE ARE HAVING AN ISSUE IN PARTICULAR WITH ATTORNEYS, BOTH RECRUITING AND RETENTION.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS ALWAYS CALLING.
THEN WHEN YOU ADD ONTO IT THE CASE LOADS THAT PEOPLE ARE CARRYING, YOU GET THAT SPOUSE AT HOME SAYING, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU'RE WORKING 50, 60, 70 HOURS A WEEK, YOU'RE GETTING PAID HALF WHAT YOU CAN MAKE IF YOU WANT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND WORK THE SAME HOURS.
I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO OFFER A QUALITY OF LIFE AT LEAST.
I'M NOT HERE TO SAY WE NEED TO BE COMPENSATING AT WHAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR PAYS, THAT'LL NEVER HAPPEN.
IF WE STARTED DOING THAT THEY'LL JUST PAY MORE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DO TRULY CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE, BOTH ON THE CIVIL AND THE CRIMINAL SIDE.
WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO A CERTAIN DEGREE, BUT THERE HAS TO BE LIMITS.
I WILL TELL YOU I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THE CIVIL ATTORNEYS AND HIS COMMENT BECAUSE IN HERE SOMEWHERE IN THE BUDGET MATERIALS, I PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A 40 HOUR WORK WEEK FOR THEM.
I'M GOING TO GIVE THEM SOME FLEXIBILITY TO FLEX UP TO 45 TO HELP CLIENTS.
BUT ABOVE THAT, I'M GOING TO CUT THEM OFF.
I SAID, I'M GOING TO RELY ON YOU, BUT ALSO I'M GOING TO TELL YOUR SPOUSES.
NOW YOUR SPOUSES ARE GOING TO BE THE ONE THAT HELPED ME ENFORCE THIS.
I'M GOING TO GET YOU TO A REASONABLE WORK WEEK AND I WANT THAT ENFORCED.
I THINK I'VE TALKED TO COUNTY MANAGER THOMPSON ABOUT TRYING TO WORK ON DEVELOPING SOME EFFICIENCIES WITHIN THE CIVIL DIVISION TO SEE IF WE CAN.
IN OTHER WORDS, I ASKED FOR A NUMBER OF POSITIONS.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT TWO ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY POSITIONS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
MY INTENT AS I SIT HERE TODAY IS TO PUT ONE OF THOSE IN THE CRIMINAL SIDE, ONE OF THOSE IN THE CIVIL SIDE.
HOPEFULLY WE GET SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE.
IF YOU GET SOMEBODY FRESH OUT OF LAW SCHOOL, THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO SPIN THEM UP.
IF THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT COMES UP EXPERIENCE LIKE MARTY DID A BILLION YEARS AGO, MARTY, CAME TO US WITH EXPERIENCE AND GET HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
I THINK THERE'S AN OLD EXPRESSION.
ATTORNEYS AREN'T WORTH MUCH UNTIL ABOUT FIVE YEARS IN.
IN OTHER WORDS, FROM GETTING YOUR BAR CARD TO FIVE YEARS,
[01:10:01]
THAT'S A LONG TIME TO SPIN SOMEBODY UP.THEN IT GOES BACK TO RETENTION.
IF WE SPIN THEM UP, GET THEM EXPERIENCED AND THEY LEAVE US.
THERE'S A PROVISION IN THERE TO ADD SOME FUNDS FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION, SO TO USE A SHORTCUT CLE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE 15 HOURS AS ATTORNEYS EVERY YEAR.
THE FUNNY THING IS, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT IN OUR CHOSEN AREA OF EXPERTISE.
I COULD GO GET TRAINING ON WILLS AND TRUST AND IT WOULD QUALIFY.
THAT'S HOW STUPID THE REQUIREMENT IS. WE'RE PROFESSIONALS.
WE NEED TO BE TRAINED IN OUR AREA.
IF THAT'S 30 HOURS TO GET TRAINED, YOU NEED TO DO 30 HOURS AND BECOME PROFICIENT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE USED TO BE THE TRAINERS, WHICH IS OF COURSE A TRAINING IN AND OF ITSELF, IF YOU'RE A TRAINER.
YOU'RE DIVING IN THE MATERIAL, YOU BECOME THAT EXPERT BECAUSE YOU'RE STANDING IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO START ASKING YOU QUESTIONS.
LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS NOT KNOW THE ANSWER.
EVEN TRAINERS, IT'S A GOOD TRAINING.
I WARN CAMERAS, IF THOSE YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE BUDGET, THAT IS JUST A RECURRING ISSUE.
IF I COULD PUT ONE GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE, I THINK THAT WOULD BE IT.
THAT WOULD SAVE US JUST A TON OF PEOPLE.
IF YOU HAVE A MAGIC WAY OF DOING THAT AND NOT GETTING THE PUBLIC TO WANT TO LYNCH YOU FOR IT, LET ME KNOW.
PEOPLE EXPECT IT, I THINK THE PUBLIC EXPECT IT, TAXPAYERS EXPECT IT.
IF THERE'S AN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING, THEY EXPECT TO SEE SOME FOOTAGE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO BACK THE OFFICER.
IF THERE'S SOME CRIME IN THE OFFICER'S PRESENCE, THEY EXPECT TO SEE A VIDEO OF IT.
JURIES EXPECT TO SEE VIDEO OF IT.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU THE TIME SUCK IS HUGE.
IT IS JUST ABSOLUTELY HUGE AND IT'S NOT JUST THIS ABILITY.
THE TECHNOLOGY IS JUST NOT THERE YET.
WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ETC, TO DO IT, BUT AT THIS POINT, IT'S JUST STILL MANPOWER.
THANKFULLY, OUR CASELOAD SEEMED TO HAVE FLATTENED OUT A BIT, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THAT TIMING HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD BECAUSE JUDGE NAPPER HERE.
JUDGE NAPPER STARTED A PROCESS THAT IT'S TO EXPEDITE THE RESOLUTION OF CRIMINAL CASES IN THE SUPERIOR COURT AND LOGICALLY, IT'S A REALLY GOOD SYSTEM.
WE'RE RESOURCED FOR A SYSTEM THAT DELAYS.
WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP TO WHERE HE WANTS TO BE.
I'VE SAT DOWN AT LEAST TWICE THAT I CAN REMEMBER BASICALLY SAYING, CAN WE SLOW THIS DOWN? HE WOULD FIRE BACK, YOU NEED MORE THAN A YEAR WELL, WHEN YOU SAY IT THAT WAY.
IT WAS REALLY HARD TO ARGUE WITH HIM ON A LOGICAL PLANE.
IT WOULD GET INTO THE EMOTIONAL SIDE AND THAT'S NEVER A GOOD ARGUMENT TO HAVE.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET SPUN UP AND HAVE A SYSTEM THAT DEALS WITH THE BODY CAMERAS, DEALS WITH THE EXPEDITIOUS MANNER WHICH HE WANTS CASES RESOLVED.
FRANKLY, I THINK THE PUBLIC WANTS RESOLVED.
THE RESOURCES I'M ASKING FOR STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.
OPPORTUNITIES. I THINK THE TOP ONE I'VE TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT.
I'M WORKING TOWARD THAT GOAL OF GETTING THE ATTORNEYS.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME BUMPS AND BRUISES AS WE GET DOWN TO THAT PREVENTING BURNOUT AND ATTRITION AND HOPEFULLY DELAYING SOME RETIREMENTS.
I THINK I DIDN'T FINISH MY STORY.
THE ATTORNEY I WAS TALKING TO ABOUT THE 40 HOUR WORK WEEK SAID, I THINK YOU CAN GET A COUPLE MORE YEARS BEFORE OUR RETIRE OUT OF ME BEFORE.
HE I THINK HE'LL GET A COUPLE MORE YEARS OUT OF ME.
THESE GUYS GAVE ME THESE NUMBERS.
I TRUST THE TEAM, THE NUMBERS WERE GOOD.
IF YOU GUYS WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, LET ME KNOW.
THIS IS WHAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED.
THE INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS ARE SELF EXPLANATORY.
THE EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO USE TO RETAIN OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, WHICH IS I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK HALF THE ATTORNEY STAFF AND SAY, OKAY, THIS YEAR YOU GET TO FIND A HIGH QUALITY TRAINING THAT'S JOB RELEVANT AND YOU'RE GOING TO FIND AND GO TO THAT TRAINING.
[01:15:02]
THEN YOU COME BACK, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO EXTRACT AS MUCH INFORMATION.WE HAVE THEM TRAINED IF THERE'S WORTHWHILE.
WE DO INTERNAL TRAININGS, SO THE TRAINEE BECOMES THE TRAINER.
BUT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE STAFF AND SAY, OKAY, NEXT HALF, YOU'RE GOING TO GO NEXT YEAR AND GET A HIGH QUALITY TRAINING BE IT AUSTIN OR PHOENIX OR, BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, WHEREVER IT MIGHT BE, BUT TO GET THAT HIGH QUALITY.
IF I CAN LOOK IN THE EYE, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A PIECE AND HELPING TO RETAIN STAFF.
THE ATTORNEY POSITIONS, I THINK ARE SELF EXPLANATORY.
LITIGATION SPECIALIST IS WHAT WE GOT AWAY FROM THE TERM LEGAL SECRETARY, GOSH, 10 YEARS AGO COVER TAKE, BECAUSE IT JUST IN OUR MINDS, DIDN'T SUFFICIENTLY EXPLAIN THAT POSITION AND THE DEMANDS PUT ON IT.
IT'S NOT SOMEBODY WHO'S JUST TAKING DICTATION.
THEY DO SO SO MUCH MORE. QUESTIONS.
>> MADAM CHAIR, SO DO I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THE ATTORNEYS ARE FUNDED WITH ARPA DOLLARS NOW?
>> WE HAVE AND I'M GOING TO REIN THESE BILL AND TARA TO SLAP ME ON THE BACK OF THE HEAD IF I SAY ANYTHING INCORRECT.
WE PRESENTLY HAVE FOUR STAFF, THREE ATTORNEYS AND ONE LITIGATION SPECIALIST USING ARPA FUNDS AS PART OF I'M GOING TO START CALLING MORE.
COUNTY MANAGER THOMPSON, IT'S JUST TOO LONG.
PART OF MAURY'S PLAN IS TWO OF THOSE WOULD BE POSITIONS ARE ABSORBED NOW IN THE GENERAL FUND AND THESE ARE SEPARATE FROM THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THEN I THINK IN PART OF THE INFORMATION WE GOT THE OTHER DAY, THE TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS FOR NEW POSITIONS, ONLY 2.5 MILLION COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
I'M GUESSING THE REMAINDER WOULD BE COMING FROM ARPA DOLLARS.
>> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S POSITIONS IN ARPA IS SOMEWHAT UNIQUE.
MOST OF ARPA DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT ON PROJECTS FOR THE MOST PART.
BUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DOES HAVE JUST A CORRECTION.
WE MOVED TWO OTHERS TO THE GENERAL FUND THIS YEAR, AND SO THERE'LL STILL BE TWO MORE REMAINING IN THE FY 26 BUDGET.
YES, THE DIFFERENTIAL, FOUR LAST YEAR, TWO THIS YEAR AND THEN I'D HAVE TO LOOK ON THE OTHER PIECE OF THE ARPA, BUT THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE BEING COSTED OUT TO ARPA DIRECTLY.
>> THAT'S THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENT THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO SHIFT POSITIONS AWAY FROM SOFT MONEY, CORRECT? THANKS.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M IN CONCURRENCE WITH YOUR INITIAL STATEMENTS ABOUT COLA AND MERIT, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
I WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE MR. BRENNAN FROM YOUR OFFICE AND WHAT HE CONTRIBUTES TO THE COUNTY AND THE CURRENT SETUP AS IT IS AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT KEEPING THAT CURRENT SETUP.
I'VE NOT FINISHED YET [LAUGHTER].
THAT WILLINGNESS TO KEEP THAT CURRENT SET UP BECAUSE ANYTHING ELSE MAY BE WE WOULDN'T WANT A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE HIM.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH A STATEMENT.
I DON'T NEED AN ANSWER AND WE CAN MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.
>> WE'RE NOT GIVING IT BACK. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.
>> I'VE TOLD HIM YOU CAN NEVER QUIT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT.
>> MADAM CHAIR. YOU HAD A SLIDE UP THERE THAT SAID, CASES REVIEWED FOR DIVERSION OF THOSE CASES REVIEWED, HOW MANY DO GET DIVERTED? BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE STARTED A LOT OF NEW LIKE THE VETERANS COURTS, DIFFERENT DIVERSION COURTS.
IS THAT BEING EFFECTIVE AND IS THAT HELPING YOU LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD?
>> I WANT TO START MY COMMENTS BY SAYING, I WOULD NEVER AND I THINK THAT'S THE PATH THAT A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS GOT INTO WAS THE USING DIVERSION TO LIGHTEN THEIR LOADS.
I THINK THAT LED INTO THE CALIFORNIA, SEATTLE, PORTLAND TYPE MODEL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
OUR DIVERSION I WILL TELL YOU, IS FAR MORE SELECT, BUT IT'S FAR MORE INTENSE AND I THINK THE PROSPECTS OF PEOPLE LEADING SUCCESSFUL LIFE AFTER ARE MUCH BETTER.
IT'S BASICALLY FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, WRAP AROUND.
THEY'RE NOT ONLY DEALING WITH A PERSON WITH A DRUG PROBLEM.
I KNOW AT ONE POINT THEY HELP A PERSON GET TIRES SO SHE COULD GET TO A JOB.
THEY HELP ANOTHER PERSON WITH GAS MONEY SO THAT SHE COULD GO TO COLLEGE AND GET A GED AND THEN INTO AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THEY'RE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON, HEY, YOU HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM.
IT'S LIKE WHAT THE SHERIFF IS DOING, LOOKING AT PEOPLE MORE COMPREHENSIVELY THAN JUST WHAT THEIR ISSUE IS THAT'S IN FRONT OF US.
I'LL TELL YOU THAT MAYBE I'M STALLING TO GIVE THESE GUYS TIME TO LOOK UP NUMBERS.
[01:20:05]
BUT IT'S RELATIVELY SMALL.I'M WILLING TO LOOK AT EXPANDING, I'M UNWILLING TO EXPAND JUST TO SAVE DOLLARS.
I WANT TO BE DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASON, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> CERTAINLY. I'VE HEARD YOU SPEAK MANY TIMES BEFORE AND I LOVE HOW CRIMINALS ARE AFRAID TO BE ARRESTED IN YAVAPAI COUNTY SO KEEP THAT UP AND I THINK YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I NOTICED AN ITEM IN HERE THAT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED, BUT IT DOES SOUND FAMILIAR TO ME.
I WANT TO THANK THE VICTIM ADVOCATE, THAT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.
AM I CORRECT IN THINKING THAT THIS WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT SHEILA HAD ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT AS WELL, OR BY THINKING OF SOMETHING ELSE?
>> I THINK WE'VE ASKED FOR IT IN THE PAST.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I WANT TO SAY MAYBE THE LAST YEAR SHEILA WAS IN CHARGE THAT IT WAS REQUESTED.
THEN I THINK IT SLID OFF THE RADAR AGAIN, IT'S BACK ON.
THEY ARE PUSHED TO THE LIMITS.
WE AREN'T DOING SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE BEFORE.
THERE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO BY STATUTE, BY RULE.
IN THE CONSTITUTION, THERE'S THE VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS IS OVERRIDING.
WE'VE GOTTEN DOWN TO ALMOST JUST DOING THE THINGS WERE REQUIRED.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE, I HATE TO CALL THEM NICE, BUT THEY'RE FAR MORE EFFICIENT, A, FOR INSTANCE.
WE'RE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND COURT AS MUCH OR EXCUSE ME, THE VICTIM ADVOCATE ISN'T ABLE TO ATTEND COURT AS MUCH AS IN THE PAST.
THAT IS ESSENTIAL IN MY MIND, BECAUSE THE VICTIM AGAIN, THEY'RE THE DRIVERS OF THIS WHOLE PROCESS.
BUT THEY'RE ABLE TO DESCRIBE IN REAL TIME TO THE VICTIMS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COURT ROOM, THEY'RE ABLE TO SAVE THE ATTORNEY WHO'S SOMETIMES SCRAMBLING TO THE NEXT MATTER, WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN COURT, AND SO THEY SERVICE THAT NECESSARY BUFFER, I USE THE TERM FORCE MULTIPLIER.
VICTIM SERVICES ARE FORCED MULTIPLIER.
THEY DO THE VICTIM CONTACT THAT THE ATTORNEY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO DO.
IT'S NOT AS THOUGH THIS ISN'T REQUIRED, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BUT WHO'S GOING TO DO IT.
IF THE VICTIM SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ISN'T IN COURT, THEN THE ATTORNEY'S GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT AND THEN THAT'S MORE TIME THAT THE ATTORNEY IS SPENDING THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE DIRECTED AT OTHER CASES.
>> I'M GUESSING THE COST ALSO WHEN YOU'RE.
>> MUCH CHEAPER THAN AN ATTORNEY.
AS LITTLE AS WE PAY THE ATTORNEY, THE SUPPORT STAFF WERE PAID LESS.
>> DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF THIS AS FAR AS THE NEED? I MEAN, YOU DID HAVE IT IN THE BUDGET, SO I'M GUESSING.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THEY'VE BEEN CLAMORING FOR FOR A LONG TIME.
IF THE BOARD COULD SEE FIT IN SOME WAY TO SQUEEZE THAT IN, I WOULD NOT OBJECT AT ALL.
BUT AGAIN I WANT TO BE A TEAM PLAYER.
BUT THESE MICROPHONES ARE MUCH BETTER THAN YESTERDAY.
>> MARTY, MAURY AND YOU A TEXT MESSAGE. I CAN'T HEAR.
>> SOMEONE TURNED US OFF, AND THEY JUST WON'T COME FORWARD [LAUGHTER].
>> IT WAS TREASURER DAVIS. I SAW HIM.
>> WELL, ANYWAY, I JUST THOUGHT I'D ASK THAT QUESTION AND DEFINITELY AS A BOARD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL PART OF A TEAM AND CONTINUE TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND HOW WE GO FORWARD TO MAKE ALL OF THIS WORK.
BUT I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WRANGLING THAT GOES ON.
I DO APPRECIATE MAURY, AS HE'S MET WITH ALL OF YOU WITH ALL OF THIS, BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT WE KNOW AND WE HERE AND WE'RE HERE TO LOOK AT WHAT AND HOW DO WE GET THE ONES THAT DIDN'T WORK, GET IN THE BUDGET.
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? HOW DO WE GET THERE?
>> IF I MAY JUST PULL UP THE TAPE NEXT YEAR, IF I HAVE TO REQUEST THIS SPOT AND JUST PLAY THIS CONVERSATION.
>> WILL THAT INCLUDE THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENT [LAUGHTER]?
>> THANK YOU. IF I COULD JUST ADD TO THIS, WE KNOW OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY IS A SKILLED LITIGATOR, AND HE'S A STRONG ADVOCATE, AND HE CAN PUSH,
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AND HE PUSHES ME PRETTY HARD EVERY YEAR AT BUDGET TIME, BUT I HATE TO TARNISH HIS REPUTATION.HE IS A TEAM PLAYER, AND HE'S ALWAYS WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK VERY REASONABLY ABOUT WHAT WE CAN AFFORD.
JUST WANT TO AGAIN, LIKE I DID WITH JUDGE NAPPER, PUBLICLY, RECOGNIZE DENNIS FOR THE TEAMWORK THAT YOU EXHIBIT. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> I APPRECIATE. THANK YOU. IF I COULD, CHAIR, TO ANSWER NUMBERS WISE, FOR CALENDAR YEAR, WE HAD 101 ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.
ABOUT 68% SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM.
FOR FISCAL YEAR IT WAS 106 WITH 73% SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE DIVERSION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND I THINK THAT IS ALL WE NEED AS FAR AS THAT GOES.
>> THANK YOU. I SEE WE HAVE NEXT, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.
>> YES. THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WE CAN MAYBE MAKE UP A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TODAY.
IF YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, THE ONLY THING INCLUDED FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS $475,000 SET ASIDE IN CONTINGENCY FOR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CASE COST.
WITH THAT, UNLESS THERE'S QUESTIONS, WE COULD PERHAPS TAKE A BREAK AND THEN MOVE TO THE SHERIFF.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THAT WAS MY PLAN.
WE'LL TAKE ABOUT A 10 MINUTE BREAK, AND THEN WE'RE MOVING ON TO THE SHERIFF.
>> THE PEOPLE AT HOME CANNOT HEAR US. THERE IT IS.
>> WE'RE ON? WE WERE TOO EARLY.
WELCOME, SHERIFF. IT'S VERY GOOD TO SEE YOU.
WELL, WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.
WE'RE GOING TO ADD LIB A LITTLE BIT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.
IT'S VERY HARD TO ENCOMPASS EVERYTHING IN A BUDGET PRESENTATION THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES, THE SPECIAL REVENUES, THE FOCUS OF THE FUTURE, THE NEEDS, HOW WE ARRIVED AT SOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND WHATNOT, AND SO I AM HOPING TO HAVE A INTERACTIVE PROCESS WITH THE BOARD AND HAVE SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR NOW AND WHY? THERE'S BEEN MULTI YEAR DRIVERS THAT HAVE LED US TO THE BUDGET THIS YEAR, SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.
OBVIOUSLY, YOUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS PRESCRIBED BY STATE LAW IN THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A FEW MAJOR PROVISIONS IN THE COUNTY.
ONE IS THAT THE ELECTED SHERIFF IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE COUNTY.
WHICH MEANS A GUARANTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRST RESPONDER LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN THE COUNTY, PRIMARILY IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS.
ANY CITY WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED A CHARTER IN ARIZONA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC SAFETY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT JURISDICTION, BUT THE WAY THAT THEY PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY CAN COME IN A MYRIAD OF FORMS. THEY CAN BE ALL ENCOMPASSING LIKE PRIMARILY CITY PRESCOTT OR PRESCOTT VALLEY BECAUSE THEY ARE LARGER AGENCIES WITH LARGER BUDGETS, AND THEN SMALLER AGENCIES HAVE MAYBE MORE LIMITED SERVICES AND RELY ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SUPPLANT OR HELP WITH SOME OF THE INVESTIGATIONS OR THINGS AS NEEDED.
BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, YOUR SWORN PERSONNEL, YOUR CERTIFIED DEPUTIES ARE ABOUT 160, INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF NOW, WHICH IS ABOUT DOUBLE THE SIZE OF ANY OTHER AGENCY IN THE COUNTY.
I THINK PRESCOTT VALLEY HAS 80 SOMETHING, I THINK PRESCOTT HAS 80 SOMETHING.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS THE LARGEST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE COUNTY.
FUNDED PRIMARILY BY THE GENERAL FUND, AND THEN OFFSET BY SOME SPECIAL REVENUE, PRIMARILY APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE.
THE OTHER PART OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT IS PRESCRIBED IN
[01:30:02]
STATUTE OR IN THE CONSTITUTION IS TO KEEP AND MAINTAIN THE COUNTY JAIL.THE COUNTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING A JAIL IN WHICH ALL PEOPLE ARRESTED IN THE COUNTY ARE TO BE BOOKED.
NOW MUNICIPALITIES CAN FORM THEIR OWN HOLDING FACILITIES, BUT THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO BY LAW.
THERE ARE NO MUNICIPALITIES IN YAVAPAI COUNTY THAT HAVE THEIR OWN OVERNIGHT HOLDING FACILITY.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT'S ARRESTED IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SHERIFF TO KEEP, HOLD, CARE CUSTODY, AND CONFINEMENT UNTIL THE JUDICIAL BRANDS RELEASES THEM FROM CUSTODY, AND IT'S RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ACTUALLY IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, THE JAIL DISTRICT BOARD, WHICH IS THE SAME THING TO FUND THE OPERATIONS.
SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ARE ALSO WHAT ARE PRESCRIBED UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF.
WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS DRIVING THE BUDGET, THOSE ARE YOUR MAIN FACTORS THAT DRIVE YOUR YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET.
PREVENTION OF CRIME, OBVIOUSLY, THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY, PRESERVATION OF PEACE, ORDER AND SAFETY, THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES.
NOW, I DO WANT TO JUST TOUCH ON THAT REAL QUICK.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STATE LAWS, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COUNTY ORDINANCES.
THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF COUNTY ORDINANCES THAT ARE OUT THERE.
THE MOST COMMON AND PROBABLY THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL IS THE BARKING DOG ORDINANCE.
WE GET A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT BARKING DOGS, AND THAT IS A COUNTY ORDINANCE.
I THINK WE HAVE SIX OR SEVEN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS THAT HANDLE THOSE CALLS, AND THEN SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AT NIGHT WHEN THE NEIGHBOR'S DOG WON'T BE QUIET.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS, AND ENSURING A CONSTITUTIONALLY COMPLIANT ENVIRONMENT FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, WHICH YAVAPAI COUNTY AS A WHOLE, PAST SHERIFFS, PAST BOARDS, MYSELF, THE PAST BOARD, THIS BOARD, HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB REALLY IN THE DETENTION SYSTEM.
THERE ARE TWO FACILITIES, ONE IN CAMP VERDE, WHICH WAS BUILT IN THREE PHASES, ONE IN 1989, ONE IN 1996, ONE IN 2004, AND THEN YOUR MOST RECENT FACILITY OVER HERE IN PRESCOTT, WHICH WAS FULLY OPENED OR CAME UP TO SPEED DURING THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR '24/'25.
EVERYTHING IS FULLY OPERATIONAL IN YOUR FACILITIES, AND THE STAFFING IS GOING VERY WELL, AND WE HAVE VERY FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE FACILITY.
WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR? WELL, WE PUT THAT ON THERE, WORKING WITH THE ARIZONA LEGISLATORS.
I WONDER HOW MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAD THERE.
I GET SPUN UP DOWN THERE QUITE A BIT, BUT WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD WINS, INCREASED SENTENCING FOR FENTANYL DEALERS.
WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF APPROPRIATIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH RELATED TO NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT, RE ENTRY SERVICES, AND WE'RE ANTICIPATING MORE THIS YEAR.
THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATORS, WHICH ARE HERE IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, THEY'VE BEEN FULL TIME FOR TWO YEARS NOW, THEY DID 43 CASES WITH 16 ARRESTS LAST YEAR OF PEOPLE EITHER TRAFFICKING CHILDREN FOR SEX OR TRYING TO PURCHASE CHILDREN FOR SEX HERE IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND THAT MONEY WAS COMING 100% FROM THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING GRANT AT ARIZONA LEGISLATURE.
THE ENHANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY.
THERE'S A LOT THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT THERE.
STRENGTHENING OUR REACH OUT INITIATIVE.
REACH OUT IS, OF COURSE, THE COUNTY'S JAIL RE ENTRY PLANNING OR JAIL RE ENTRY COORDINATION WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING RECIDIVISM, RELEASING PEOPLE TO SERVICE OR TREATMENT, RATHER THAN BACK OUT ONTO THE STREET IN WHICH THEIR RECIDIVISM RATE IS SKY HIGH.
WHEN WE BEGAN REACH OUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, THE RECIDIVISM RATE FOR THAT POPULATION WAS ABOUT 50%.
[01:35:04]
TODAY, YOU CAN SEE, IT'S ABOUT 18%.IF YOU LOOK, YOU'LL SEE THROUGH THE BOOK, THE NUMBER OF JAIL BOOKINGS HOLD STEADY AT ABOUT 7,000 A YEAR.
HOWEVER, OUR AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION HAS DROPPED FROM ABOUT 600 TO ABOUT 400 IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS SINCE WE BEGAN THIS INITIATIVE.
WE'RE HAVING TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.
WE'RE WORKING WITH MARICOPA COUNTY FOR THEM TO STAND UP THEIR OWN PROGRAM.
THERE'S ANOTHER $20 MILLION APPROPRIATION THAT'S IN THE BUDGET BOX FOR NEGOTIATION, FOR REACH OUT FOR MULTIPLE COUNTIES IN THE STATE THIS YEAR.
ON TOP OF THAT, ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS ABOUT REACH OUT OR ABOUT JAIL RE ENTRY PLANNING IS THAT WE HAVE WORKED WITH NACO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ON A MEDICAID WAIVER, WHICH WAS OBTAINED HERE FOR ARIZONA ON A LIMITED BASIS TO FUND TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, SUBSTANCE USE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.
ARIZONA'S SHARE OF THAT, WHICH WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH STATE MEDICAID IS $1.43 BILLION TO FUND TREATMENT.
WE'RE ANTICIPATING, AND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT AS PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING TREATMENT WHILE THEY'RE INCARCERATED WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED ARE SO MUCH FARTHER AHEAD ON THEIR RECOVERY AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL NOT USE DRUGS OR THAT THEY WILL NOT BREAK THE LOG IN OR END UP BACK IN OUR CUSTODY.
ULTIMATELY, THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OFFSET OF THE COUNTY JAIL MEDICAL COST, DEPENDING ON HOW THAT ROLLS OUT.
THESE ARE TREMENDOUS VICTORIES, AND AGAIN, NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE ENTIRE COALITION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS, THE SUPERIOR COURT, THE LIMITED JURISDICTION COURTS, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, OUR PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THE TREATMENT PROVIDERS, AND ALL THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES COME TOGETHER MONTHLY AT OUR YAVAPAI COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH COALITION TO COORDINATE AROUND THIS TOPIC.
EVERYBODY IS WINNING, AND I CAN'T OVERSTATE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS.
OF COURSE, IT'S BECOMING A FOCAL POINT OF THE COUNTY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMISSION, WHICH WE'VE BEEN MEETING ON.
THE CREATION OF THE SPECIAL CRIMES UNIT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE.
THE FUNDING FOR THIS, WHICH IS ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IS FUNDING FIVE POSITIONS THAT ARE STRICTLY THEIR UNIFORMED, MARKED PATROL CAR, A FEW OF THEM WITH CANINES THAT ARE PROACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WE PUT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTY THAT HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEMS RELATED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING OR OTHER NUISANCES, OR WHATNOT TO DEAL WITH A HIGH PROFILE PRESENCE AND ALSO WORK WITH OUR NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING SQUAD IN WHATEVER WAY THAT IS NEEDED, AND WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THAT.
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER, FINALLY OPEN.
THE CONNECTION CENTER, FINALLY OPEN.
TITLE 36 CENTER WAS FULLY OPERATIONAL.
THIS WAS THE VISION THAT WAS CREATED, AT THE SAME TIME, REACH OUT WAS ENACTED IN 2018.
BUILDING THOSE FACILITIES AND BRINGING THEM ONLINE TOOK SIX, SEVEN YEARS OF COORDINATION AND PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE COUNTY BETWEEN ALL THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS AND THE COMMUNITIES, BUT ALL THAT STUFF IS WORKING NOW, AND I COULD GIVE YOU A LAUNDRY LIST OF WINS FOR THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY, BUT I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE, BUT WE COULD TALK FOR HOURS JUST ABOUT THAT.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR? WELL, THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO START TO ADD SOME MORE SWORN PUBLIC SAFETY POSITIONS, AND THAT'S CERTIFIED DEPUTIES IN UNIFORMS, IN PATROL CARS, OUT IN THE COUNTY.
WITH THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY, WE DID HAVE OUR NUMBER OF CALLS FOR SERVICE INCREASED YEAR OVER YEAR FROM ABOUT 46,000 TO ABOUT 52,000, SO CONSIDERABLE INCREASE, BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED MORE DEPUTIES.
[01:40:03]
NOW, WE'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH RESPONSE TIMES, PARTICULARLY IN THE OUTLYING AREAS THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS.THE HIGHLINE, SELIGMAN, ASH FORK IS ONE OF THEM.
JUST YESTERDAY, WE HAD A DEPUTY WITH SOMEBODY IN CUSTODY WHO THREATENED HIM WITH A KNIFE.
AT THE SAME TIME, ANOTHER DEPUTY HAD SOMEBODY IN CUSTODY FOR AN ARREST WARRANT, AND HE HAD TO RESPOND TO A VERY BLOODY FAMILY FIGHT WITH COCONINO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH SOMEBODY IN CUSTODY FROM ANOTHER CALL IN THE BACK OF HIS CAR.
THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH DEPUTIES OUT THERE TO HANDLE ALL THE CALLS OR GET TO SOME OF THESE CRITICAL CALLS AS QUICKLY AS THEY NEED, BUT THE STRATEGY TO DO THAT, WHEN I TOOK OVER A SHERIFF IN 2021, WE WERE ABOUT 35 CERTIFIED PATROL DEPUTIES DOWN, MEANING THOSE WERE VACANCIES.
>> WE WERE STRUGGLING TERRIBLY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE.
WHILE THERE WAS A LOT OF FACTORS THAT WENT INTO THAT, THE NATIONAL MEDIA'S ATTACK ON PUBLIC SAFETY, THE PANDEMIC, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WERE GOING ON, THE SENTIMENT AROUND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY WAS IMPACTING THE DESIRE OF PEOPLE TO GET INTO THE BUSINESS.
YAVAPAI COUNTY HAD CREATED OUR OWN CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN THAT WE WERE GOING TO PROPERLY FUND COMPENSATION-YEAR-OVER YEAR.
WE HAD GONE THROUGH YEARS OF VIRTUALLY NO PAY RAISES FOR ANY OF THE EMPLOYEES, AND CERTAINLY NOT THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.
I HAD CREATED INCREDIBLE MARKET INEQUITIES AND COMPRESSION ISSUES WITHIN THE RANKS, AND SO RATHER THAN ASK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO FUND MORE CERTIFIED POSITIONS THAT I KNEW THAT WE COULD NOT FILL, I ASKED THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ENGAGE IN A COMPENSATION STUDY, AND I HAD ASKED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THE BOARD WISELY MADE THE DECISION TO DO THAT COMPENSATION STUDY COUNTYWIDE.
IN 2022 AT THE COMPLETION OF THAT STUDY, THERE WERE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE OR THAT WERE MADE BY THE CONSULTANT.
THE CONSULTANT RECOMMENDED A NUMBER OF INCREASES TO PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH COMPRESSION ISSUES AND GET POSITIONS UP TO MARKET.
THE END RESULT WAS ALL OF THOSE YEARS OF FAILING TO RAISE COMPENSATION CONSISTENTLY COST ABOUT $15 MILLION IN ONE YEAR, JUST TO GET THE EMPLOYEES BACK TO WHAT WAS A MARKET VALUE, AND IT REALLY WASN'T COMPLETELY THERE.
BUT THEN RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE AND THE BOARD ADOPTED THEM TO CREATE POLICY IN WHICH EVERY YEAR, AS LONG AS MONEY EXISTED, THERE WOULD BE A MERIT INCREASE AND A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.
BUT DURING THOSE YEARS, IF YOU RECALL, THE COST OF LIVING INFLATION WAS 7, 8, 9%, AND THERE JUST WASN'T THE FUNDING TO RAISE COLA'S COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS BY THAT AMOUNT.
WE WORKED WITH THE BOARD TO COME UP WITH A POLICY OF THE 10-YEAR ROLLING AVERAGE, IN WHICH WOULD FLATTEN OUT THE COST FOR THE COUNTY, BUT ALLOW THE EMPLOYEES TO CAPTURE OVER TIME THOSE INFLATIONARY ADJUSTMENTS, THOSE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.
I'M VERY HEARTENED TO SEE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER THIS YEAR THAT THE 3% MERIT, AND I BELIEVE IT'S ALMOST 3% FOR COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT IS INCLUDED HONORING THE OUTCOME THAT COMPENSATION STUDY AND THE POLICIES OF THE BOARD THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE IN THAT TIME.
THE POLICIES THAT THOSE BOARD MEMBERS, MYSELF AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS FOUGHT SO HARD TO GET INTO PLAY.
THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES, THE END RESULT OF THAT, PARTICULARLY FOR MY OFFICE, MY AGENCY, AS WE WENT FROM ABOUT 150 VACANCIES 24 MONTHS AGO TO ABOUT 25 TODAY.
OUR STAFFING HAS BEEN AMAZING, IT'S THE BEST THAT IT'S EVER BEEN, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE IN A POSITION NOW TO START TO ADD SOME UNIFORM DEPUTIES, RATHER THAN ADD POSITIONS THAT WE COULDN'T FILL.
[01:45:03]
NOW WE CAN FILL THEM, NOW WE CAN START ADDING SOME UNIFORM DEPUTIES AND START GETTING SOME BETTER RESPONSE TIMES, AND DEAL WITH SOME OF THE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT THAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO ALL OVER THE COUNTY OUT IN THESE OUTLYING AREAS.OF COURSE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THERE, BUT I WILL TALK TO YOU PARTICULARLY ABOUT WE NEED TO BEGIN OR I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN, AND I AM READY TO GO, I'M READY TO WORK WITH EACH ONE OF YOU ON THE IMPROVEMENT ON OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
OUTLYING AREA SUBSTATIONS HAVE BEEN A NEED FOR 30 YEARS THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.
WE HAVE ONE OUTLYING AREA SUBSTATION THAT WAS HERE WHEN I STARTED 31 YEARS AGO, AND IT STILL WORKS GREAT, AND IT'S IN BLACK CANYON CITY, AND IT HAS ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU REALLY WANT IN AN OUTLYING AREA SUBSTATION.
IT HAS ROOM FOR THE COMMUNITY, IT HAS A COUPLE OF OFFICES, IT HAS A HOLDING CELL, SECURED ENTRY, IT HAS A WINDOW FOR THE PUBLIC, IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED THERE.
WE ALLOW THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CO-LOCATE THERE WITH US BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM THEIR MAIN OFFICES IN CORTIS, BUT THEY CAN'T ALWAYS GET UP AND DOWN THE I-17 BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION ON THE HILL, SO NOW WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER AND PARTNERING WITH THEM ON THAT.
OF COURSE, RELOCATING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS FROM GARY STREET, BUILDING A PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY THAT ENCOMPASSES A FEW THINGS LIKE THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER AND WHATNOT, AS SOMETHING THAT IS LONG OVERDUE.
WE NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OUR 911 CENTER AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THERE, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.
THIS IS A MAJOR MOVE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THIS YEAR, WE NEED TO START MAKING SOME DECISIONS, AND THAT'S MY REQUEST.
I AM GOING TO PROVIDING MEANINGFUL TRAINING TO 490 EMPLOYEES, COMPLETING PROJECTS, TECHNOLOGY, THE INCREASING POPULATION GROWTH.
WE HIRED IN FOUR YEARS, 434 AND PEOPLE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
NOW, THEY'RE ALL OBVIOUSLY STILL NOT THERE, SO THERE'S SOME RECIDIVISM AND TURNOVER INVOLVED IN THAT, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT AGENCY, PROBABLY 75% OR MORE HAS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THAT HAS CREATED A LOT OF ISSUES.
NOT BAD, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE THERE.
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AN AGENCY OF NEARLY 500 PEOPLE, AND THAT MANY OF THEM ARE NEW, IT'S REVEALED SOME OF THE CRACKS IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM AND SOME OF THE NEEDS.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IS ONE OF THOSE NEEDS.
WE NEED TO DEVELOP, AND THIS IS PART OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT WAS REVEALED IN OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.
WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS DEPARTMENT, AND THE CURRENT HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE IS NO LONGER WORKING FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT, BUT WE NEED TO EXPAND AND BRING SOME OF THOSE FUNCTIONS UNDERNEATH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING THIS ONSLAUGHT OF BRAND NEW EMPLOYEES THAT DOESN'T LOOK TO LET UP ANYTIME SOON.
COUNTY WIDE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT.
MANY OF YOU, EXCEPT FOR YOU, SUPERVISOR JENKINS, BUT WE WILL HAVE BEEN TO A PUBLIC MEETING IN WHICH THE NUMBER 1 ISSUE WITH THE CONSTITUENTS IS TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT OR TRAFFIC SAFETY.
WE'RE ADDRESSING INCREASED ENFORCEMENT, WHICH WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE SOME SUCCESSES OUT IN WILLIAMSON VALLEY ROAD.
WE'VE HAD SOME SUCCESSES IN CORNVILLE, IS A DELICATE BALANCE BECAUSE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IS ALWAYS GOING TO
[01:50:02]
BE A SECONDARY ITEM TO RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE, AND SO TO DO IT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ADEQUATE STAFF, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE PROPER SCHEDULING.TARGETING SOME OF THESE AREAS WHERE WE'RE GETTING CONSISTENT COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND WHERE WE'RE HAVING KNOWN ISSUES IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR FOCUS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE MOVING FORWARD IN THIS NEXT YEAR.
OPPORTUNITIES, COMPLETION OF THE VERDE CONNECTION CENTER.
SOMETHING THAT'S FLYING BELOW THE RADAR IS THE REMODEL OF THE OLD VERDE GAIL INTO A CONNECTION CENTER THAT WILL FUNCTION THE SAME AS THE CONNECTION CENTER IN PRESCOTT.
THIS IS BEING FUNDED PRIMARILY THROUGH A MILLION DOLLAR GRANT THAT CAME FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT WE'VE STRUGGLED TO GET THIS THING UP AND GOING, AND HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO GET THIS THING COMPLETED THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A NEEDED SERVICE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE VERDE VALLEY IN THAT FACILITY THAT'S OVER THERE.
CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATORS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH CORP RETIREMENT.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT THERE'S A RUB THERE BETWEEN, I THINK, ALL THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND ALL THE SHERIFFS ON CORP RETIREMENT, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, CORRECTION OFFICERS GOT A RAW DEAL DURING THE PENSION REFORMS OF 2017.
THEY BECAME NOT ONLY THE ONLY EMPLOYEES IN THE ENTIRE STATE THAT DID NOT GET A DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION, BUT THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION THAT THEY WERE GIVEN AS PALTRY AND FAR BELOW INADEQUATE.
FOR US TO RECRUIT, AS AN INDUSTRY PEOPLE TO WORK IN CORRECTIONS AND STAY THERE AND MAKE IT A CAREER, THE PENSION SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED.
THE SHERIFFS AND THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS WILL NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO BRING FORTH A COMMON SENSE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT FINALLY PUTS THIS THING TO BED BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE DRIVING FACTORS IN RETENTION.
PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO STAY IN A JOB THAT IS COMPLICATED, DIFFICULT, DANGEROUS INSIDE OF A JAIL FOR 20, 25, 30 YEARS, WHEN AT THE END OF IT, THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO PENSION.
YOU SAW THE SLIDE DURING ONE OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS, THE ONLY AMOUNT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION THAT'S GOING INTO THAT THING IS 5%, AND IT'S LESS THAN HALF OF THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU SEE ON THAT SLIDE, THAT HAS GOT TO BE ADDRESSED, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.
I KNOW THAT IT'S SCARY BECAUSE YOU TALK ABOUT LONG-TERM FUNDING OBLIGATIONS, BUT THAT'S THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
PANT, OUR NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE IS NOW A HIDA, HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA DESIGNATED BY THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY IN WHICH IT'S UNLOCKED THE BEGINNING WHILE THERE'S FUNDING THAT ARE COMING IN, REMOVING THE NARCOTICS OFFICE USING FUNDING THAT'S COMING FROM HIDA, THEY'RE STARTING TO BUY EQUIPMENT, WE ARE BRINGING IN OTHER RESOURCES FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO HELP WITH A NUMBER OF THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE COUNTY, WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF PRETTY BIG ONES THAT ARE GOING TO GET WRAPPED UP HERE SOON.
THERE WILL BE SOME THINGS COMING OUT IN THE PRESS, I THINK THAT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY.
WE NEED TO BRING IN OUR OTHER AGENCIES, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE TO KEEP YAVAPAI SAFE.
WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE EXPLOSIVE GROWTH AND THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HAD IN AN AREA, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND WE CAN LEARN OUR LESSONS FROM THE PAST OF OTHER PLACES.
IF YOU WAIT UNTIL THERE'S A PROBLEM TO BEGIN TO FUND OR PUT YOUR TACTICS OR STRATEGIES OR RESOURCES IN PLACE, IT'S TOO LATE, YOU'LL NEVER GET CAUGHT UP.
WHEN YOU SEE THE GROWTH, YOU SEE THE INDUSTRIALIZATION, THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE BEGINNING TO HAPPEN IN YAVAPAI COUNTY AND YOU KNOW ALL THE THINGS THAT CAN COME WITH THAT, YOU HAVE TO GROW AND COLABORATE INCREMENTALLY EACH YEAR TO MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT WHAT YOU NEED IN PLACE WHEN YOU GET TO THAT POINT,
[01:55:03]
AND YOU'D NEVER REALLY NOTICED THAT CRIME HAS ARISEN OR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T BECAUSE YOU'VE ADDRESSED IT AHEAD OF TIME, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.OF COURSE, REDUCED RESPONSE TIME, INCREASED STAFFING, RECRUITMENT AND ATTENTION, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
THIS IS A BUDGET OVERVIEW, I WON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS OTHER THAN TO SAY WE WORKED WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER.
OUR SUBMITTED BUDGET WAS NOT THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, AND WE'RE OKAY WITH THAT.
WE CAME TO AGREEMENT AND COMPROMISE BASED ON ALL THE NEEDS IN THE GRAND PICTURE, AND WE'RE TAKING A LONG-TERM VIEW ON SOME OF THE INCREASES IN THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, SO NO COMPLAINTS OTHER THAN TO SAY, THERE WERE A FEW THINGS THAT WE CUT OUT LIKE OVERTIME AND DIFFERENT THINGS OR WE REDUCED THE REQUEST, WHICH IF WE'RE AT FULL STAFFING, THOSE COSTS COULD OVERRUN.
A LOT OF THE BUDGET CUT OR A LOT OF THE BUDGET NEGOTIATION HINGES ON WHAT WE CALL A VACANCY RATE.
WE'VE TAKEN HISTORICAL VACANCY RATES AND APPLIED THOSE TO THE BUDGET IN AN EFFORT TO COME UP WITH WHAT THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET WAS GOING TO BE.
HERE'S A COUPLE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.
>> THE ANOTHER PATROL SERGEANT POSITION, THREE DEPUTY POSITIONS.
SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THAT WE WERE ASKING FOR EIGHT. WE WERE.
I'VE REDUCED THAT TO COME IN LINE WITH WHAT TO BALANCE IT OUT WITH SOME OF THE OTHER PRIORITIES, AND I'M EXPECTING TO HOPEFULLY GET MAYBE A COUPLE OF MORE THROUGH THE STATE APPROPRIATION.
911 OPERATOR POSITIONS, THAT WAS A NEGOTIATION.
ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED THINGS WITH 911 OPERATIONS IS JUST OR THE DIFFICULT THINGS IN RETAINING EMPLOYEES IS HOW INCREDIBLY COMPLEX 911 DISPATCHING HAS GOTTEN.
IF YOU SIT DOWN AT A 911 CONSOLE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE FLYING THE SPACE SHUTTLE.
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO MANAGE ALL AT ONE TIME, AND WE HAVE TO START MEETING OUT THOSE FUNCTIONS AND BIFURCATING.
YOU HAVE, AS AN EXAMPLE, ONE PERSON COMMITTED TO ANSWERING THE PHONES AND CALL TAKING AND IN PUTTING INFORMATION AND ANOTHER PERSON DISPATCHING ON THE RADIO INSTEAD OF ONE PERSON DOING BOTH OF THOSE JOBS.
THE OVERTIME BUDGET, IT'S 500,000.
IT WAS 304,000 SINCE 2005. NEVER INCREASED.
WE SPEND ABOUT 1.5 MILLION OR SO ON OVERTIME.
THAT'S TO TRY TO BRING IT MORE IN LINE WITH AN ACTUAL BUDGET.
THAT WON'T BE ENOUGH, BUT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OVERTIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN PLACE NOW.
THOSE ARE MANAGEMENT OF TIME OFF, TRAINING, THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
>> IF I COULD CLARIFY, I BELIEVE, THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 500,000.
>> I'M SORRY. IT'S AN INCREASE OF 500,000.
MAURY WANTED CREDIT FOR HIS HE THOUGHT YOU GUYS.
>> FOR CLARITY TWO, OUR BOOKS SAY THAT 4911 911 OPERATORS ARE COMING 911.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT NOTATION THERE.
INITIALLY, WITH SOME OF THE BUDGET REQUESTS, THEY ACTUALLY PLACED INTO THE TITLE THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS THEY WERE REQUESTING, AND WE'VE UPDATED SOME OF THEM, BUT THIS ONE IS ONE OF THE INITIAL NAMES OF THE REQUEST.
THEY INITIALLY REQUESTED FOUR, HOWEVER, TWO IS WHAT'S IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AS MENTIONED BY THE SHEAF.
CORRECT, AND THE TOTAL DOLLAR EQUALS THOSE TWO POSITIONS, PLUS THERE'S SOME MOTHER SUPPLIES AND SERVICES RELATED TO THE POSITIONS THAT ARE BEING MOVED FORWARD FOR RECOMMENDATION.
WE DID PUT IN FOUR, BUT TWO IS WHAT WE AGREED TO THE SHARE.
THAT'S A FRACTION OF THE COST TO CUT OVER TO THE DIGITAL RADIOS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
CUTTING OVER TO THE DIGITAL RADIOS OVER SEVEN YEARS IS ABOUT 2.8 MILLION DOLLAR AND WE HAVE TO BEGIN THAT PROCESS NOW.
I KNOW YOU GUYS FUNDED THAT IN CAMP VERDE D, WHICH IS NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OFFICER SAFETY AND
[02:00:03]
THE CLARITY OF SPEECH AND ALL OF THE THINGS IN THE COVERAGE.>> I WAS JUST GOING TO MENTION, TOO, AS WE'RE TRYING TO FIND WAYS OF MOVING FORWARD AS MANY REQUESTS AS POSSIBLE.
WHAT WE DISCUSSED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS, THEY WILL BE IMPLEMENTING THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS, SO WE ASKED IF IT CAN BE REPLACED LATER IN THE YEAR IN THIS FIRST YEAR.
AS A SHERIFF WAS NOTATING, THIS IS NOT THE FULL ANNUALIZED COST.
NEXT YEAR, THIS IS ABOUT HALF OF THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE IN THE BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BECAUSE THROUGH THIS PROCESS, IT'S AN ANNUAL COST OF ALMOST $500,000.
IT'S THE SAME FOR THE MOBILE VEHICLE RADIO, SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE WAYS WE COULD START THE PROCESS THIS YEAR, MID YEAR, BUT KNOWING THAT THIS WILL BE PART OF THE INCREASED COSTS.
THEN THE SECOND PIECE OF ONCE AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT THE CIP, THIS IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT PIECES THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE FIVE YEAR COSTS SLATED OUT AS A SHERIFF MENTIONED, THIS IS A LARGE INVESTMENT FOR THE COUNTY SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE STAY AHEAD OF THOSE COSTS ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT ZACH. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO WHEN YOU START AND THIS IS OFFICER SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT MAKE THE DEPUTY SAFE THAT THEY INSPIRE CONFIDENCE.
INCREASE MORALE, HELP US JUST JUST DO A BETTER JOB.
IT'S THE DIRECTION THAT WE'RE GOING, SO WE NEEDED TO GET STARTED ON IT THIS YEAR, SO THIS WAS A CREATIVE WAY TO GET STARTED.
>> MADAM CHAIR 2, I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT WHEN I DID MY RIDE ALONG, I WAS WITH THE SERGEANT, AND WHEN WE GET TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, HE'D DO A RADIO CHECK, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ALL THE DIFFERENCE WERE, BUT HE WAS CHECKING FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNICATION, AND THE DIGITAL WAS JUST BANGING IN GREAT.
THE OTHER TWO WERE A LITTLE HAZY AND ONE DIDN'T EVEN WORK AT ALL.
WHEN YOU'RE OUT THERE IN THESE FAR FLUNG LOCATIONS IN YAPI COUNTY, IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
>> THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS THE CASE.
YOU'RE OUT IN A RURAL AREA AND YOU NEED YOUR RADIO TO WORK. YOU NEED IT TO WORK.
IT'S NOT LIKE YOU GOT TIME TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND AND CALL SOMEBODY AND WAIT.
YOU NEED TO PUSH THE BUTTON AND TALK BECAUSE ON ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY SITUATION, SO WE NEED TO KEEP MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, AND WE ARE.
THE MOBILE VEHICLE RADIO, SAME SITUATION THERE, JAIL DISTRICT OVERTIME BUDGET.
NO, THAT'S AN INCREASE TO 780,000 NOT OF 780,000.
IT WAS $40,000 FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.
>> CORRECT. I CAN DOUBLE CHECK ON THE INITIAL FIGURE, BUT IT WAS A VERY SMALL NUMBER IN OVERTIME IN THE JAIL DISTRICT, AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO INCREASE THAT BECAUSE AS THE SHERIFF WAS MENTIONING, IT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO COVER THE EXPECTED COSTS.
ONE OF THE NOTATIONS, TOO, I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT I'D ALWAYS THOUGHT THE SHERIFFS THE SHERIFF'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET WAS THE LARGEST BUDGET, BUT NO, IT'S ACTUALLY THE JAIL DISTRICT.
THE JAIL DISTRICT BUDGET HAS MORE STAFF AS WELL AS HIGHER COSTS THAN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL BUDGET IN THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET IN THE SHERIFF'S OVERALL ALLOTMENT OF BUDGETS.
>> WELL, THE REASON THAT WE WERE ABLE TO OPERATE WITH VIRTUALLY NO OVERTIME BUDGET IS BECAUSE AS I MENTIONED, WHEN YOU HAVE 150 VACANCIES 24 MONTHS AGO, YOU HAVE THE VACANCY RATE, THE SALARY SAVINGS, DROPS TO THE BOTTOM LINE, YOU COVER THE OVERTIME.
BUT NOW THAT WE'RE HAVING ALL THIS SUCCESS WITH ADEQUATE STAFFING AND WHATNOT, THE BOARD, THE PUBLIC.
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SEE A REAL LINE ITEM IN THE OVERTIME BUDGET.
THIS IS STILL NOT AS MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT, BUT OVERTIME IN THE JAIL HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST 789 MONTHS, PRIMARILY BECAUSE THERE'S ADEQUATE STAFFING NOW.
THE JAIL IS DRIVEN OFF OF POST ASSIGNMENTS.
SCHEDULING, YOU KNOW, YOU WORK 12 HOURS.
YOU'RE IN A PARTICULAR AREA OF THE JAIL.
THE REASON THAT OVERTIME OCCURS IN THE JAIL IS THAT WHEN YOU DIDN'T HAVE SOMEBODY TO COME IN AND COVER THAT SHIFT AS PART OF THEIR NORMAL BUSINESS OR THEIR NORMAL SCHEDULE, YOU HAD TO PAY OVERTIME TO GET IT DONE.
EVEN THOUGH THIS NUMBER IS HIGH, THE OVERALL COST OF OVERTIME IS COMING DOWN AS A RESULT OF ADEQUATE STAFFING. QUESTIONS?
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF FOR BRINGING UP THE OUTLYING SUBSTATION AREAS AND THE NEED OUT THERE, AND MANY OF MY FELLOW SUPERVISORS PROBABLY FELT MY FRUSTRATION YESTERDAY WITH THE CONGRESS FACILITY, BUT THE NEED IS THERE.
[02:05:01]
I WOULD ASK HOPEFULLY YOU MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE FOR OUR STUDY SESSION AND REFERENCE TO THAT, I'M SURE YOU WILL, BECAUSE AS THE SHERIFF JUST STATED, IF WE HAVE A BUILDING THAT'S ALREADY WORKING, AND WE'VE ALREADY PAID FOR THE PLANS AND THE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS FOR IT, WHY CAN'T WE BUILD IT OUT THERE AND SAVE COSTS AND MAYBE BUILD AN EXTRA ONE IN SUPERVISOR KUPNOS DISTRICT.I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT UP AND SHOWING US THE NEED.
>> I APPRECIATE THE INITIAL OVERVIEW.
IT WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME, NEW TO THIS ORGANIZATION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR ZACH.
IF I HAD A PAGE NUMBER, TRAINING, IF YOU COULD JUST EXPLAIN HOW THE AMOUNT REQUESTED 182,000 AND THEN RECOMMENDED 864.
THEN I SEE INFLATIONARY, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING HERE I'M NOT CONNECTING THE DOTS.
>> GREAT QUESTIONS, SUPERVISOR JENKINS.
IN THE INITIAL RECOMMENDATION, WERE THE INCREASE FOR TRAINING WAS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.
BUT AFTER SOME SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ESPECIALLY REGARDING DEPUTIES AND SOME OF THE OTHER LINE ITEMS, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO MOVE SOME OF THE TRAINING DOLLARS AND UTILIZE THOSE FOR DEPUTIES INSTEAD.
INITIALLY, WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR IS A TOTAL ALLOTMENT OF DOLLARS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND SO THERE'S SOME MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH.
THERE'S SOME OTHER INFLATIONARY ITEMS THAT ARE IN THERE, SOME THAT INDIRECTLY ADDRESS TRAINING.
BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS WELL, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS TO NOTATE IS THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, AND I BELIEVE SOME OF THOSE HAVE BEEN UTILIZED FOR TRAINING OVER TIME.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO GET BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF AS WELL TO SEE BECAUSE WITH THOSE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, THOSE FLUCTUATE, AS THEY'VE MENTIONED, SO THE LONG-TERM ABILITY FOR THEM TO DRAW FROM THEM IS DIFFERENTIATES BASED ON THE FUND.
BUT THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THERE'S SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WAS REQUESTED.
>> OTHER ONES, I CAN TYPICALLY FOLLOW WHY THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENTIATION.
BUT THIS IS THAT A TYPO OR IS IT REAL? THANK YOU.
>> I WOULD HAVE A THANK YOU ZACH FOR THAT TECHNICAL RESPONSE MINE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH QUICKER. IT WAS MATH.
THE SHERIFF AND I SITTING DOWN TO LOOK AT IT AND MOVE THE DOLLARS TO SOME OF ITS HIGHER PRIORITIES, AND THAT'S WHAT WAS LEFT IN THAT LINE ITEM.
WELL, IN SUPERVISOR JENKINS, JUST TO CLARIFY.
IN THE JAIL DISTRICT PAYS NO MONEY FOR TRAINING ANY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE EMPLOYS.
IF YOU WORK IN THE JAIL DISTRICT, YOUR TRAINING IS PAID SPECIFICALLY BY THE JAIL ENHANCEMENT FUND, WHICH IS A PERCENTAGE.
IT COMES FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ENHANCEMENT FUND, WHICH IS ALL THE TRAFFIC TICKETS AND OTHER FEES AND STUFF IN STATE, THEY GO INTO THIS POT OF MONEY, AND THEN STATUTORILY, A PERCENTAGE OF THAT MONEY GOES OUT TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE, FUNDS DIFFERENT THINGS.
ONE OF THE THINGS IT GOES TO IS CALLED JAIL ENHANCEMENT.
PRIMARILY, WELL, PART OF THE RECOMMENDED EXPENSE OF JAIL ENHANCEMENT IS FOR TRAINING, AND THAT FALLS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE ELECTED SHERIFF IN EACH COUNTY, THAT JAIL ENHANCEMENT FUND.
WE DON'T EVER USE ANY GENERAL FUND DOLLARS OR JAIL DISTRICT DOLLARS FOR TRAINING J IN THE JAIL.
IT'S ONLY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE AND I EXPLAINED, WE'RE TRYING TO SHIFT THE MANNER IN WHICH WE BUDGET.
IN THE MANNER IN WHICH WE HOLD THE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR MANAGING THEIR OWN BUDGETS.
THIS WAS $50,000 FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, TRAINING IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE.
IT'S LIKE THE OVERTIME BUDGET, NOBODY PAID ATTENTION TO ANY OF IT BECAUSE NOBODY KNEW THAT WAS A REAL BUDGET, BECAUSE YOU WERE GOING TO SPEND OTHER MONEY THAT WAS FOR SALARIES OR WHATEVER.
THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR, NOT THE FIRST YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO GIVE YOU GUYS THE BOARD AN ACTUAL LINE ITEM THAT WAS THAT REFLECTS ACTUAL ESTIMATED COST, RATHER THAN JUST HAVING MONEY SHIFTED BETWEEN DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE END OF THE DAY.
>> I FEEL LIKE I HAVE THIS QUESTION EVERY SECTION.
I SEE SEVEN POSITIONS REQUESTED.
I SEE SIX POSITIONS IN THIS RECOMMENDED SHEET, WHICH ARE WE RECOMMEND OR ARE YOU ALL RECOMMENDING SIX OR SEVEN?
>> GREAT QUESTION, SUPERVISOR CHECK.
THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL THERE IS THE SEVENTH POSITION IS ACTUALLY IS NOT A NEW POSITION TO THE ORGANIZATION, BUT IT'S A COST SHIFT.
THE FINANCE SUPERVISOR IS CURRENTLY FUNDED WITH ONE OF THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS.
[02:10:03]
ONE OF THE REQUESTS FOR THE SHERIFF WAS TO MOVE THAT TO THE GENERAL FUND, SO THAT IS IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.ON THE SHEET YOU'RE LOOKING AT, IT'S NOT A PLUS ONE TO THE ORGANIZATION, BUT IT'S A PLUS ONE TO THE GENERAL FUND, OVERALL.
IT'S SOMEWHAT OF A TECHNICAL DIFFERENCE THERE, BUT THAT'S THE ADDITION OF SEVEN TO THE GENERAL FUND.
ONCE AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE ONE LESS ON THEIR SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DO THINK THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND A FEELING OF SAFETY IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BROADLY OUR CONSTITUENCY AND TAXPAYERS LIKE TO SEE US INVEST IN.
THANK YOU ALSO FOR ALL THE REST OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU PROVIDED AND SOME CONTEXT ON THE AMOUNT OF VACANCIES THAT YOU'VE HAD TO ENDURE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
>> YOU BROUGHT UP TRAFFIC, AND REALLY, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS WE GET IS SPEED OF TRAFFIC, AND ENFORCEMENT REALLY DOES WORK.
WE SAW THAT ON WILLIAMSON VALLEY ROAD.
YOU GUYS REALLY CONCENTRATED ON THAT, AND I DRIVE THAT EVERY DAY.
I'D SAY THE AVERAGE SPEED WAS PROBABLY IT'S A 50 MILE AN HOUR ZONE.
I'D SAY IT WAS 58 TO PROBABLY 65 AND NOW THERE'S A NOTICEABLE CHANGE WHERE I SAY THE AVERAGE IS RIGHT AROUND 53 MILES AN HOUR.
THEY'RE GOING A LITTLE BIT FASTER, BUT STILL IT'S MUCH SAFER, MUCH BETTER.
I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF HAVING SOME DEDICATED SPEED PATROLS THAT WE COULD ROTATE AROUND THE COUNTY, LIKE IF WE HAD TWO OR THREE OFFICERS THAT THEIR ONLY JOB WAS TO CONCENTRATE ON AN AREA AND MOVE IT FROM THERE TO THERE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA OR NOT.
ALSO ON MY RIGHT ALONG, I NOTICED THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T REALLY SEE SHERIFFS PARKED ALONGSIDE THE ROAD CHECK AND SPEED, WELL, IT'S BECAUSE THE RADAR GUN SHOOTS FORWARD AND IT SHOOTS BACKWARDS.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY RADAR GUNS THAT ARE HANDHELD WHERE YOU CAN SIT AND POINTED OUT THE WINDOW, WHICH IS ALSO A BIG DETERRENT.
WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON DEDICATED SPEED PATROLS, AND DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THEY NEED TO SLOW DOWN?
>> WELL, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND I MEAN, IT'S A NICER WAY OF ASKING THAT THAN I GET AT SOME OF THE PUBLIC MEETINGS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED ABOUT THIS AROUND THE COUNTY.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF CARS THAT ARE CALLED GHOST CARS, AND THE MARKINGS ARE DIMINISHED.
YOU CAN'T SEE THEM QUITE AS WELL, BUT BUT THAT'S IT.
I'M NOT AN ADVOCATE OF THE VEHICLES, THE UNDERCOVER SPEED PATROL VEHICLES.
THAT'S BEEN A SHIFT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THE STATE BOUGHT A LOT OF THOSE.
I DON'T LIKE THEM BECAUSE IT'S A WASTE OF TIME.
THE REST OF THE TIME, YES, YOU MAY SEE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE DRIVING SUPER AGGRESSIVELY AND YOU'RE ABLE TO GET THEM, MAKE SOME TRAFFIC STOPS.
BUT REALLY WHAT SLOWS PEOPLE DOWN IS WHAT YOU JUST SAID, SEEING THAT CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUY A CAR AND IT'S GOING TO BE USED FOR SPEED ENFORCEMENT, LIGHTS ON TOP OF IT, PUT SHERIFF ON THE SIDE OF IT, LET EVERYBODY SEE IT, THAT SLOWS PEOPLE DOWN BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE REALLY TRYING TO GET IS VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE.
>> THE DEDICATED SPEED PATROLS, WHICH WE'RE STARTING TO DO MORE OF THOSE USING SPECIAL CRIMES, AND WE USE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE HIGHWAY SAFETY TO BRING IN AND PAY OVERTIME TO DEPUTIES TO DO THIS SPEED OR DEDICATED SPEED PATROLS.
WHAT'S DIFFICULT ABOUT THEM IS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE CALLS FOR SERVICE, THOSE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO TAKE PRIORITY.
UNLESS YOU HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING SOMEWHERE AND GET SOMEBODY GOING 80 MILES AN HOUR ON WILLIAMSON VALLEY ROAD, THEN THEY'LL STOP THEM AND DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE IT'S SO EGREGIOUS.
BUT AS YOU INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STAFF, AND WE'RE HAVING SOME SHIFT IN FOCUS AND SCHEDULING AND WHATNOT, YOU'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO HAVE A DEDICATED SPEED PATROL.
YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO SEND THAT PERSON TO THE WHATEVER CALL FOR SERVICE IS NEEDED.
WE NEEDED SIX DEPUTIES IN THE HIGH LINE LAST NIGHT.
IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON DEDICATED SPEED PATROL ON WILLIAMSON VALLEY ROAD, I DON'T CARE WHO'S PAYING OR WHAT THEY'RE DOING, THEY'RE GOING TO SELIGMAN, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED.
THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE CHALLENGE.
>> ANOTHER THING THAT I NOTICED IS THAT THE TECHNOLOGY IN THE CARS SEEMS LIKE IT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS USING OR EVERYBODY IS USING DIFFERENT THINGS.
IS THERE ANY MOVE? BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE YOU GUYS BACK UP AND YOU GET BACKUP FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT AGENCIES.
IT'D BE GOOD TO HAVE SOME SCREEN WHERE YOU
[02:15:02]
CAN SEE WHERE EVERY CAR IS AT AND WHERE YOUR BACKUP WOULD BE AT.WITH OTHER AGENCIES, HAS THERE BEEN TALK ABOUT GETTING ON THE SAME PAGE?
>> WELL, THERE'S DEFINITELY BEEN TALK ABOUT IT, AND THAT'S A GREAT POINT THAT YOU BRING THAT UP BECAUSE THE TERM IS THE INDUSTRY TERM FOR THAT IS INTEROPERABILITY.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR INTEROPERABILITY, PARTICULARLY IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WE HAVE NINE MUNICIPALITIES, TWO INDIAN TRIBES, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DPS, HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT ARE ALL RESPONDING TO THE SAME CALL, NOT ON THE SAME RADIO FREQUENCIES, DON'T HAVE DPS IS USING VHF OR ARE THEY USING UHF OR USING VHF? MY ENTIRE CAREER HERE.
EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT CAD SYSTEMS AND WHATNOT.
THE INITIAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT REGIONALIZING YOUR DISPATCH AND REGIONALIZING YOUR RESOURCES TO ALLOW FOR SOME OF THOSE EFFICIENCIES TO OCCUR ARE ONGOING, BUT THEY'RE DIFFICULT TO HAVE BECAUSE THERE'S JUST A LOT OF OPINIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND, YOU WOULD HAVE EVERYBODY ON THE SAME RADIO SYSTEM, THE SAME CAD SYSTEM, COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH.
TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT SEEING WHERE ALL THE CARS ARE.
WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT WE CAN SEE IS WHERE THE BODY CAMERA IS, AND SO WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OFFICER SAFETY.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT YOU CAN'T GET ON THE RADIO, YOU CAN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH, YOU CAN LOOK ON THE MAP AND SEE WHERE THAT BODY CAMERA IS AND SEND SOMEBODY THERE.
>> THOSE ARE THE THINGS I NOTICED. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, SHERIFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING BACK SOME OF THE HISTORY OF HOW WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH COMPENSATION.
I WILL TELL YOU I REMEMBER THE DAY THAT THE BOARD WAS SUPPOSED TO VOTE AND ACCEPT THE COMPENSATION.
I WILL TELL YOU EVERY EMPLOYEE IN THIS COUNTY WAS WATCHING WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO. IT WAS A DEAL.
IT SAYS, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE CARE ABOUT YOU, ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES MATTER.
AS WE'RE OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THINGS LIKE THIS, THIS IS PART OF IT, PAYING THEM AND KEEPING THAT IN THE FOREFRONT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING THE STATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED IN THE DIFFERENT AREAS.
I HOPE THAT AS THIS BOARD MOVES FORWARD THIS TERM, THAT WE MAKE LEAPS AND BOUNDS, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
I THINK IT WILL SET THE PACE AND IT WILL ABSOLUTELY BE A GREAT LEGACY MOVING FORWARD TO TAKE YAVAPAI COUNTY AROUND THAT CORNER.
APPRECIATE YOU, YOUR DEPARTMENT.
APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON.
I KNOW WE'RE STRIVING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
>> EXCUSE ME. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ALSO PUBLICLY THANK THE SHERIFF FOR HIS PARTNERSHIP AND WILLINGNESS TO WORK ON THIS BUDGET.
AS YOU'VE DONE THE LAST TWO YEARS AS WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR WORK.
>> I THINK WITH THAT, WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CONCLUDE THIS, AND IT'S LUNCHTIME. IS IT LUNCHTIME? IT'S COLD SANDWICHES [LAUGHTER] THAT'S OKAY. YOU KNOW WHAT? I NEED TO JUST COMMUNICATE, CHECK IN.
IT IS, I REALLY WANT TO WAIT TILL 11:30, NO, 11:29, 30 MINUTES.
WE GET LIKE 29 MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS.
>> MADAM CHAIR, IT'S 12 O'CLOCK.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR KUKNYO.
WELL, WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.
AT THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO DO THE OUTSIDE AGENCY PRESENTATIONS, AND I'M GOING TO LOOK TO YOU, MR. THOMPSON, OR ZACH ON WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
>> THANK YOU. CHAIR, VICE CHAIR,
[02:20:01]
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MAURY THOMPSON, COUNTY MANAGER.YES, AS YOU SAID, THIS IS THE PORTION OF OUR AGENDA TODAY TO HEAR FROM OUR WHAT WE CALL OUTSIDE AGENCIES, REQUESTING FUNDING FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.
I WOULD SUGGEST, CHAIR THAT YOU JUST TAKE THOSE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND GOING DOWN THE LIST. I JUST START.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO MENTION THAT THE FIRST IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT SAID THEY ARE NOT GOING TO PRESENT.
>> CORRECT. THANK YOU. JUST GOING TO PUBLICLY ASK THAT AND MAKE SURE WE WERE ALL CLEAR.
ARIZONA WILDFIRE ACADEMY IS FIRST ON THE LIST.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN YOUR BOOK, THEY'RE NOT INCREASING ANY REQUESTS, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE HERE TODAY.
WITH THAT, WE CAN MOVE TO CHINO WINDS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
THEY'RE RIGHT THERE. IF YOU'RE LOOKING IN IN YOUR BOOKS, IT'S AT THE BACK.
>> WHAT PAGE NUMBER? [LAUGHTER]
>> WE'LL GET YOU THE DECODER LEADER.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE CHINO WINDS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
I'M PROUDLY JOINED TODAY BY OUR PARTNERS IN THIS ENDEAVOR, JOHN COVERS DETAILED DISTRICT RANGER FOR PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, THE CHINO VALLEY AND BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICTS.
RUBEN VERNER IS THE YAVAPAI CATTLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION VICE PRESIDENT, AND CALEB MILLER IS A RESEARCH SPECIALIST FROM U OF A. CALEB MILLER WAS HERE.
HE'S WORKING WITH THE U OF A ON OUR MONITORING PROGRAM.
THE HISTORY OF THIS MONITORING PROGRAM IS THAT IN 2020 AND 2021, CONFLICT AROSE DUE TO OUR INTERPRETATION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WE'D HAD VERY DRY PERIOD, AND THEN WE HAD A COUPLE OF PRETTY GOOD YEARS.
WE HAD BACK TO BACK, GOOD SUMMERS AND GOOD WINTERS, AND WE WERE DISAGREEING ABOUT CONDITIONS ON THE RANGE.
WE HAD A DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FOREST SERVICE.
THE CONFLICT WAS GETTING PRETTY HEATED AND REALLY THANKS TO YOUR EFFORTS AND THANKS TO THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE U OF A AS AN OBJECTIVE PARTICIPANT AND EXPERT IN SCIENCE MONITORING.
I THINK WE MOVED THAT CONFLICT AND MOVED OUR RELATIONS WITH THE FOREST FROM AN ADVERSARIAL ONE TO ONE OF COLLABORATION.
IT'S BEEN REALLY GOOD. WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS MONITORING FOR TWO YEARS NOW, AND WE REALLY HAVE CHANGED OUR RELATIONSHIP FROM AN ADVERSARIAL ONE TO ONE WHERE WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW WE CAN BEST STOCK YAVAPAI COUNTY RANGES.
BETWEEN THE ARIZONA CATTLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION, THE YAVAPAI CATTLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION, THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, THE U OF A, AND THE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, WE SIGNED THIS MOU THAT ALLOWED US ALL TO WORK TOGETHER.
YOU GUYS, THIS BOARD WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
HARRY OBERG AND DONNA MICHAELS WERE VERY INVOLVED IN THAT.
IN FACT, I'VE BEEN RANCHING IN YAVAPAI COUNTY NOW FOR 45 YEARS, AND THIS IS THE MOST BENEFICIAL THING I'VE SEEN THE SUPERVISORS DO TO HELP THE RANCHING COMMUNITY HERE.
IT'S BEEN REALLY GOOD. WE'RE ASKING FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT JUST SO WE CAN KEEP GOING WITH THIS THING.
LAST YEAR, WE MONITORED 70 DIFFERENT SITES.
WE CREATED BOOKS FOR 19 BRANCHES IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND WE CONDUCTED OVER 19 PRE AND POST MONITORING PLANNING MEETINGS.
EVERYBODY IS GETTING ALONG, AND I THINK WE'RE HAVING A MUCH MORE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF WHAT CONDITIONS ARE IN THE COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PREVIOUS SUPPORT, AND WE WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT TOO.
IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, MY PARTNERS HERE WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY OF THOSE TOO.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU, AND I WILL REACH OUT TO THE BOARD, AND WE HAVE QUESTIONS.
>> I DO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY WITH THIS MOU,
[02:25:04]
AND I AM DEFINITELY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS WORK.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE CONTEXT SINCE THIS IS FUNDING THAT GOES TO ONE NATURAL RESOURCE DISTRICT.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW IT BENEFITS THE GREATER AREA IN BETWEEN CONSERVATION DISTRICTS?
>> WELL, WE ARE TRYING TO EXPAND THIS DOWN, IF YOU'D LIKE TO.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS GOING IN THE VERDI VALLEY AS WELL, AND IN THE TRIANGLE DISTRICT, TOO.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. WE LOVE IT.
WHAT WE'RE DOING A LOT IS WORKLOAD BASED.
WE RARELY GET ASKED THESE QUESTIONS, AND WE'RE ALWAYS REALLY EXCITED TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WE DO.
WE WERE ASKED TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY WHERE WE STARTED.
I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN SAY IS BEHIND US, WE DIDN'T HAVE A POWERPOINT, BUT THE PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE ARE INCREDIBLE.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE WE STARTED AND YOU KNOW WHERE WE STAND RIGHT NOW, IT'S ENORMOUS.
WE DON'T PUT NECESSARILY A POWERPOINT TOGETHER AS MUCH AS WE WANT OUR PARTNERS TO STAND WITH US TO SAY WHAT WE'RE WORKING FOR.
THERE ARE THE NETS AND BOLTS OF IT.
WHAT DOES THE RANGE DO IN YAVAPAI COUNTY AS FAR AS CREATING INCOME? BUT THERE'S ALSO THAT SCIENCE, AND WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS NOT BASED ON MOMENTS OF INTENSITY OR SNAPSHOTS, WE'RE BASING THEM OFF OF YEARS AND YEARS OF WORK.
WHAT THIS FUNDING HAS ALLOWED IS FOR US TO COME IN, ACCOMPLISH THE WORKLOAD.
WE HAVE A LOT MORE AHEAD OF US.
BUT WHAT IT'S ALLOWED FOR US TO DO IS TO COME IN, BE WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS AND BRING THE PEOPLE THAT WORK, AND THEN NOT ALSO BE A FINANCIAL BURDEN.
FROM A STATEWIDE STANDPOINT, WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE HELPED US TO CREATE HAS REALLY ALERTED THE ENTIRE STATE TO WHAT MONITORING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND HAS SPREAD ITSELF.
THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS HAS A FULL TIME RANGE LEAD, AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT'S LEADING OUR PROGRAM AND WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE U OF A.
IT SET A REALLY POSITIVE EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN GET MONITORING DONE.
YOU COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.
YOU MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU'RE MAKING DECISIONS ON THE RANGE, IT'S NOT MOMENTS OF INTENSITY.
IT'S YEARS AND YEARS OF DATA THAT YOU'RE MAKING THESE.
CAN WE BE SUSTAINABLE? DOES THAT SUSTAINABILITY AFFECT STOCKING RATES? DOES IT AFFECT FOLKS ON THE GROUND AND HOW CAN WE KEEP THAT GOING IN A HEALTHY RANGE WAY? WHAT THIS HAS DONE IS LARGELY MADE THE STATE AWARE OF HOW IMPORTANT THESE PROGRAMS ARE AND THAT'S WHAT YOUR SUPPORT HAS REALLY DONE.
WHAT WE'RE USING YOUR MONEY FOR IS TO HIRE CREWS.
IT'S NOT FULL TIME, IT'S SEASONAL.
WE'VE UTILIZED THAT FULL TIME TECH FROM THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION, AND WE'RE USING THE MONEY THAT WE GET FROM YOU GUYS TO HIRE FOLKS TO COME IN, BE CONTRACTORS, DO THE WORK.
THEN WE REALLY RELY HEAVILY ON THE U OF A TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING ALL THAT INFORMATION, MAKING SUMMARIES AND REPORTS.
AS FAR AS THE BENEFITS GO, THAT'S ONE OF THE IMPORTANT REASONS THAT MR. KAVA IS HERE RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE HE'S A PARTNER, AND HE CAN PROBABLY TELL YOU FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS HAS BEEN AND WHAT THE BENEFITS HAVE BEEN, NOT JUST FROM A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE, BUT FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.
>> HEY. THANK YOU, DON. MAYBE I CAN REPHRASE MY QUESTION, AND IT'S OKAY IF IT'S JUST A BENEFIT TO THIS DISTRICT.
I'M WONDERING IF THE DATA THAT'S COLLECTED HERE AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT'S BUILT IS RELEVANT TO OTHER DISTRICTS.
>> VERY MUCH SO. I GUESS I MISUNDERSTOOD YOUR QUESTION.
CHINA WINS TOOK THE LEAD, BUT CHINA WINS PARTNERS WITH TRIANGLE.
THEY THEY BOTH ENCOMPASS YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WHILE CHINO IS THE LEAD, WE'RE ALSO SUPPORTED BY TRIANGLE.
TRIANGLE ALSO DOES THE ARCHAEOLOGY AGREEMENT WITH THE PRESCOTT FOREST AS WELL, SO WE WORK IN TANDEM.
>> OUR TEAM IS WORKING IN THE BIRDIE VALLEY AS WELL.
>> IF I MAY ADD A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT.
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TWO YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE FUNDED IT NOW FOR TWO YEARS, AND THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD YEAR OF FUNDING.
I APPRECIATE DON AND THE INFORMATION YOU'VE SUBMITTED.
YOU INDICATE THAT THE REQUEST IS $20,000 YEARLY FOR FIVE YEARS.
I JUST WANTED TO ALERT THE BOARD WHEN THE ORIGINAL BOARD MADE THAT COMMITMENT, THEY RECOGNIZED THE FULL ASK, BUT SAID, OF COURSE, THIS WOULD BE AN ANNUAL REEVALUATION OF THE $20,000.
IN TERMS OF THE HISTORY AND THE SCOPE, THIS WOULD BE YEAR THREE OF THAT ORIGINAL FIVE YEAR ASK.
[02:30:01]
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT JUST TWO, AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT WAS VERY KEY THAT WE WERE CREATING THIS.
WE SAID FIVE YEARS, AND YOU JUST SAID EVERY YEAR, WOULD YOU COME TELL US HOW IT'S GOING? REALLY WE LOOK FORWARD TO [INAUDIBLE] AND SAY THAT IT'S GROWING.
[NOISE] THE BENEFITS ARE BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT THEY COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN.
I WAS UNAWARE OF HOW MUCH VALUE THAT YOU GUYS WOULD BRING TO THIS PROCESS IS BEING THAT FUNDED THIS, AND IT HELPS US TO JUST BE STANDALONE PARTNERS THAT CAN DO THE WORK, AND WE'RE VALUED AMONGST OTHER FOLKS.
IT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
WE HAVE WE REALLY LIKED THE FACT THAT WE COME YEAR AFTER YEAR AND TELL YOU WHAT WE'VE DONE AND HOW IT'S GROWING AND HOW IT'S CHANGING.
>> IF I COULD WEIGH IN, JOHN KAVA, I'M THE DEPUTY DISTRICT RANGER.
I'M NO LONGER ACTING DISTRICT RANGER.
I GOT A BOSS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, SO I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
BUT I'M THE DEPUTY DISTRICT RANGER, AND I USED TO BE THE RANGE MANAGER FOR THE CHINO VALLEY AND BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICTS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.
I WORKED WITH NRCS PRIOR TO MY FOREST SERVICE TIME, SO I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS DO.
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST COMPRISES 38% OF YAVAPAI COUNTY LAND AND THIS HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL WITH THE PARTNERSHIPS, THE ADDITIONAL MANPOWER TO DO THE MONITORING, AND THEN DO THE ANALYSIS, PUT THESE BOOKS TOGETHER FOR EACH ALLOTMENT AND THE RANCH AND SIT DOWN WITH THEM TO DO THAT.
BECAUSE WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON A SPECIFIC RANCH LIKE THIS.
BUT THE BIGGEST BENEFIT HAS BEEN WE MIMIC THIS AFTER MONITORING THAT WE DO ON THE YAVAPAI RANCH THAT THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION STARTED OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
WE DO MONITORING DAYS EVERY FALL, AND WE HAVE EVERYBODY THERE.
WE HAVE AT LEAST 10-12 PEOPLE THERE TO DO THE MONITORING, IT GETS DONE VERY QUICK.
ON ALL THESE OTHER RANCHERS, IT WAS LEFT UP TO THE FOREST SERVICE, AND WE HAVE TWO RANGE SPECIALISTS ON THIS SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN TO DO THAT ON 42 DIFFERENT ALLOTMENTS.
IN ADDITION, WE DID A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA WITH TWO OTHER FORESTS TO HIRE A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUALS TO HELP US WITH THAT MONITORING.
THAT WAS COSTING US $80,000 A YEAR PER INDIVIDUAL.
A LOT OF OUR MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENTS HAVE ALL BEEN CANCELED THIS CURRENT YEAR.
WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE BRINGING THAT PERSON BACK.
THIS MONEY HAS HELPED US THROUGH THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, CONTINUE THE MONITORING AT THE PACE WE STARTED FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, SO THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD YEAR IN OPERATION.
IT'S REALLY HELPED GET THE DATA SO THAT WE CAN MAKE WISE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS BASED ON CONDITIONS, AND IT'S HELPED DEVELOP AND INCREASE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR RANCHING PARTNERS.
I APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT YOU GUYS HAVE PROVIDED THROUGH THAT.
I KNOW WE'VE GOT A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS SITTING AT THE TABLE THIS YEAR, SO I'D LIKE TO GIVE THAT BACKGROUND.
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I DON'T KNOW.
IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BY THE BOARD? NO. OKAY, THEN. WELL.
>> [NOISE] EXCUSE ME. NEXT, CHAIR, YOU SEE COMMUNITY COUNTS ON YOUR LIST WHO RECEIVED $22,000 THIS PAST YEAR, AND THEY DID NOT MAKE A REQUEST THIS YEAR.
FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER IS UP NEXT.
THEY RECEIVED $20,000 THIS YEAR.
THEY ARE REQUESTING AN INCREASE OF $8,500 FOR A TOTAL REQUEST OF $28,500.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M RACHEL LAURA.
I'M THE NEW DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER.
SUSAN VAN NORMAN, OUR STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR IS ALSO HERE WITH ME TO HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
LET'S SEE. FRIENDS OF VERDE RIVER IS A LOCAL NON-PROFIT BASED IN COTTONWOOD, THAT IS DEDICATED TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY FOR A FLOWING VERDE RIVER.
THE WATERSHED INCLUDES SEVERAL NOTABLE FEATURES, INCLUDING OVER 40 MILES OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER.
IT'S ONE OF ARIZONA'S LAST FREE-FLOWING RIVERS, AND IT HAS ONE OF ONLY 20 REMAINING STANDS OF GOODINGS WILLOW RIPARIAN GALLERY FORESTS.
[02:35:03]
WE ARE REQUESTING FUNDS SPECIFICALLY TO SUPPORT OUR 2025 WATERSHED REPORT CARD.THIS MEASURES THE HEALTH OF THE WATERSHED BASED ON WATER AND HABITAT, VARIABLES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY INDICATORS, WHICH INCLUDES RECREATION, ECONOMIC VITALITY, AND EDUCATION WITHIN THE WATERSHED.
THE 2026 STATE OF THE VERDE WATERSHED CONFERENCE, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER HUNDREDS OF PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND PROMOTE WATERSHED HEALTH.
A REGION WIDE WATERSHED WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN THAT WOULD HELP TO IDENTIFY ANY AREAS OF CONCERN WITHIN THE WATERSHED AND DIRECT TARGETED CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO THOSE AREAS.
THE VERDE BIOBLITZ, WHICH TAKES FIFTH GRADERS OUT, AND THEY TRY TO IDENTIFY ALL OF THE LIVING THINGS THEY CAN FIND.
WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING THAT THIS WEEK.
LAST YEAR, WE TOOK OVER 400 STUDENTS OUT.
ALSO THE VERDE FRONT, WHICH IS A REGIONAL COLLABORATIVE, DEVOTED TO PROMOTING LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE RECREATION.
THE REQUESTED FUNDS WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT AND BENEFIT YAVAPAI COUNTY BY SUPPORTING A WATERSHED WIDE HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING, IDENTIFYING TARGETED WATERSHED IMPROVEMENTS TO THOSE AREAS THAT ARE MOST AT RISK, CONTINUING TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS, SUPPORT ONGOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH STUDENTS AND PROTECT AND IMPROVE OUTDOOR SPACES WITHIN THE VERDE VALLEY.
BY SUPPORTING A HEALTHY VERDE RIVER, THIS FUNDING WOULD ALSO BE SUPPORTING LOCAL TOURISM, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
OVER 200,000 ARIZONA RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR RECREATION ON OUR LONG WATERWAYS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND THAT COMES TO A ONE BILLION DOLLAR ECONOMIC BOOST AND SUPPORTS 9,400 JOBS WITHIN THE COUNTY.
THE UPPER VERDE IS ALSO LISTED AS ONE OF ONLY 21 SITES IN THE STATE AS AN ARIZONA HERITAGE WATER.
IT'S NOT JUST ECOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT, BUT ALSO CULTURALLY.
THE FUNDING WOULD BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE VERDE BIOBLITZ.
THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL EDUCATORS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE VERDE WATERSHED AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN THEIR BACKYARD.
THIS IS THE FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS.
AS I MENTIONED, WE'VE ALREADY ENGAGED OVER 405TH GRADERS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED ON FIELD TRIPS AND THEN ALSO FOLLOW UP CLASSROOM VISITS TO LOOK AT THE DATA THAT THEY COLLECTED.
WE ARE ALSO PARTNERING WITH SCIENCE VORTEX, WHICH IS BASED IN CAMP VERDE TO ENGAGE TEACHERS THROUGH THE VERDE FELLOWS PROGRAM AND HELP BUILD CURRICULUM AROUND THE HEALTH OF THE VERDE RIVER.
THESE EFFORTS HELP TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT BY MAINTAINING NATURAL OUTDOOR SPACES, PROTECTING OUR WILDLIFE, AND PROMOTING SAFE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
THE VERDE WATERSHED MAKES UP LESS THAN 6% OF THE LAND AREA IN ARIZONA, BUT IT SUPPORTS 78% OF OUR BREEDING BIRD SPECIES, AND 89% OF BAT AND CARNIVORE SPECIES.
IT'S ALSO ARIZONA'S ONLY WILD AND SCENIC RIVER AND ONE OF ONLY SIX PERENNIAL RIVERS IN THE STATE.
BY UPDATING THE VERDE WATERSHED REPORT CARD AND HOSTING THE STATE OF THE VERDE WATERSHED CONFERENCE.
WE CAN TRACK PROGRESS, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, AND FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS.
IMPLEMENTING WATERSHED WIDE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLANS WILL FULFILL A CRITICAL GAP AND GUIDE TARGETED CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
WITHOUT THIS COORDINATED MONITORING, RESTORATION, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THE VERDE WATERSHED FACES RISKS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, WATER QUALITY IMPAIRMENT, AND INADEQUATE STEWARDSHIP, AND WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE THREATS THROUGH COORDINATED SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE WATERSHED.
THIS APPROACH TO COMMUNITY SERVICES IS JUSTIFIED BECAUSE IT COMBINES DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING WITH BROAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ALLOWS US TO TRACK PROGRESS, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, AND FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS.
BY INVESTING IN WATERSHED WIDE HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND EDUCATION, WE WILL ENSURE ONGOING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP, PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE USE AND PROTECTION OF THE VERDE RIVER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
WITH THAT, WE CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> SINCE I KNOW THE ORGANIZATION WELL, THEY DO GREAT WORK.
I WANT TO ASK SINCE THOSE ARE EVERYTHING YOU
[02:40:04]
MENTIONED ARE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE INCREASE IN FUNDING REQUEST?
MORE OF THE SAME OF WHAT WE'VE HEARD TODAY, THE COLLABORATION AND GROWTH.
FOR EXAMPLE, JUST LOOKING AT OUR BIOBLITZ PROGRAM, AND RACHEL WAS KIND TO MENTION OUR FELLOWS PROGRAM, WE'RE EXPANDING IN THAT AREA.
NOT ONLY ARE WE DOING THE BIOBLITZ FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IN THE SPRING, WE'RE EXTENDING THAT WITH A NEW PROGRAM INTO THE SUMMER.
THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE STUDENTS AND PARENTS ALIKE AS WELL TO GET OUT TO THE RIVER, WITNESS THE WATER QUALITY MONITORING, THE RIPARIAN, THE RESTORATION THAT GOES ON THERE.
ALSO, INEVITABLY OUT OF EVERY CLASS, WE HAVE TWO OR THREE LIKE MINDED SCIENTISTS, YOUNG SCIENTISTS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN FROM US AND THEN STAY IN THE AREA.
THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF WHY WE WOULD WANT TO EXPAND AND ASK FOR MORE IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE'VE ALREADY HAVE GOING ON.
WE HAVE A FOCUS TOO ON WATER QUALITY MONITORING, WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO, AS RACHEL SHOWED THE WATERSHED REPORT CARD.
THERE'S A SECTION THERE THAT IS RED, AND THAT WAS WE NEED TO EXPAND THOSE AREAS TO GET A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT THE DATA IS TELLING US IN DIFFERENT AREAS.
WE NEED TO EXPAND AND ASK FOR MORE THERE AS WELL.
IT IS WELL FOR OUR VERDE FRONT IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTY.
WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO OUR WORK.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT MIGHT COME TO THAT PROGRAM.
WE'RE LOOKING TO STABILIZE AND GROW THAT AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. I DO HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE WE DO FINANCIALLY CONTRIBUTE TO VERDE FRONT SEPARATELY? THAT'S A QUESTION.
I MEAN, MAYBE THIS BECAUSE FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER IS THE FISCAL SPONSOR OF VERDE FRONT.
MY QUESTION IS THE COUNTY MONIES THAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO VERDE FRONT FOLDED INTO THIS REQUEST? THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
ALL I CAN SAY IS I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ORGANIZATION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT REPORT CARD GOING FROM A C PLUS TO GET INTO THAT B RANGE AT SOME YEAR.
WE UNDERSTAND WE'RE TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON KEEPING THAT RIVER FLOWING AND HEALTHY FLOWING RIVER.
I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS, AND I KNOW THERE'S TONS AND TONS OF VOLUNTEER LABOR HOURS THAT GO INTO ALL OF YOUR WORK.
APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IF I COULD FOLLOW UP ON SUPERVISOR CHECKS QUESTION, I HAD A SIMILAR ONE.
I'D START WITH A REMINDER TO THE BOARD.
IN ORDER FOR THE BOARD TO MAKE ANY OF THESE CONTRIBUTIONS TO WHAT WE CALLED OUTSIDE AGENCIES, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SHOW A DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE COUNTY.
WITH THAT IN MIND, I WAS LOOKING AT THE INCREASE WITH FRIENDS OF THE VERDE AND THE INITIATIVES.
ARE THESE THE SAME INITIATIVES THAT WERE FUNDED LAST YEAR? WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR INCREASES IN SOME OF THEM?
>> WHERE I'M GOING WITH THAT, OBVIOUSLY, THEN THESE HAVE BEEN TESTED, AND WE DETERMINED THAT THEY MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR CONTRIBUTION. THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND YOUR PRESENTATION AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
WE HAVE THE GREATER CHINO VALLEY COLLABORATIVE.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE HISTORY THERE, THEY WERE FUNDED FOR THE INITIAL TIME LAST YEAR.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR A $500 INCREASE THIS YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF $3,000, AND I BELIEVE.
WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE.
MAGGIE, WERE YOU SPEAKING TO THIS? [LAUGHTER] MAYBE YOU IN ARE NOW.
I SEE YOU'VE GOT SOME HELP HERE AND WE HAVE SOME HANDOUTS TOO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIRMAN.
[02:45:01]
I WAS NOT PREPARED TODAY.I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS DOING THIS ONE, TOO, BUT THE GCVC IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE VERDE FRONT.
IT'S THE COLLABORATIVE OF YOU SHOULD HAVE A HANDOUT ON ALL THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE GREATER OUTONO VALLEY COLLABORATIVE.
THIS HAS BEEN JUST A MARVELOUS GROUP, JUST THE SAME AS THE VERDE FRONT.
THE VERDE FRONT BROUGHT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TOURISM WHEN THEY OPENED TRAILS UP AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE'RE PIGGYBACKING OFF OF THAT.
WE'VE HAD SOME WINS. WE'VE STATE PARK. FRED HARVEY FARM.
ALL OF THAT REALLY GREW OUT OF THE GCVC.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING THEY ARE LOOKING FOR [OVERLAPPING]
>> I GOT THAT, ACTUALLY, YEAH.
I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT GOES TO THESE MEETINGS FOR GREATER CHINO VALLEY, AND THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS INVOLVED.
YAPI COUNTY, TOWN CHINO, ARIZONA STATE PARKS, PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT, NATURE CONSERVANCY, TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, SIERRA CLUB, YAPI TRAILS, LAND ADVISORS, AND CHINO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS REVOLVING AROUND THE EMERGING DEL RIO PARK.
THE UPPER VERDE RIVER, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT THE VERDE RIVER BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A BIG REALIZATION THAT WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON THIS NOW, BECAUSE LIKE TOO MANY ARIZONA RIVERS, IF YOU DON'T, PRETTY SOON, IT'S GONE.
THIS IS REALLY MONEY FOR FACILITATION OF THESE MEETINGS.
THIS GROUP COMES OUT OF FLAGSTAFF.
THEY KEEP ALL THESE ORGANIZATIONS ON POINT AND MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER BECAUSE OF SOME REDUCED FEDERAL GRANTS AND FUNDING, THE REST OF US ARE BEING ASKED TO UP OUR GAME A LITTLE BIT.
THE REQUESTED $500 EXTRA WOULD ACTUALLY KEEP THIS GOING.
IT'S BEEN A GOOD EXPERIENCE, MY LITTLE BIT OF TIME BEING ON THERE, BECAUSE I'VE JUST BEEN ON THE BOARD SINCE JANUARY.
BUT THESE GUYS ARE REALLY TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER, AND YOU'LL SEE THE OTHER PRESENTATION THAT WE DO TODAY, IT REALLY IS A REGIONAL EFFORT, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOGETHER REGIONALLY WELL.
ON THIS, IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIMITED IN SCOPE, BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DEL RIO PARK, PRESCOTT VALLEY'S IN THE MIX, PRESCOTT'S IN THE MIX, CHINOS IN THE MIX, THE FORESTS IN THE MIX, BLM.
ALL KINDS OF STATE LAND THAT GOES INTO WHAT IS EMERGING AS WHAT COULD BE A REALLY INCREDIBLE STATE PARK, AND BENEFIT TO THE CITIZENS HERE.
HAPPENS IN OUR REGION TOO OFTEN, IT'S ALMOST A LITTLE BIT OF A RACE AGAINST DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THERE'S CERTAIN CORRIDORS THAT NEED TO BE PROTECTED, AND IF THEY'RE NOT, THEY WILL GET HOMES, THEY'LL NEVER BE PROTECTED, AND IT MAY LIMIT ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC ONCE THESE LANDS ARE GONE.
BASICALLY, THE CHINO VALLEY COLLABORATIVE IS A GROUP EVERYBODY LOCALLY TRYING TO WORK ON THIS MASTER IDEA, I WOULDN'T SAY A MASTER PLAN YET, BUT A MASTER IDEA OF WHAT THIS PARK NEEDS TO WORK WITH.
WHEN YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE SUPERVISORS, I'M THE HEADWATERS GUY, DISTRICT 4.
THAT'S ME. THEN YOU GO OVER TO NIKKI, AND SHE'S THE UPPER VERDE RIVER, AND THEN YOU GET DOWN INTO YOUR AREA.
I THINK THAT'S STILL UPPER VERDE RIVER, BUT IT GETS BIGGER AS WE GET TO YOU.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT DOES NEED TO BE PROTECTED.
I KNOW WITH THE CITY OF PRESCOTT THEY HAVE MONITORING WELLS, TRYING TO SEE WHAT THE FLOW IS.
BUT PRESCOTT AND PRESCOTT VALLEY HAVE THEIR EYE ON THE BIG CHINO.
WILL THAT AFFECT THE VERDE? YEAH? HOW MUCH WILL IT AFFECT IT? WE DON'T KNOW? I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE HAVE THIS FACILITATION IN THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO CONTINUE ON, SO IT'S EASY TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, AND WE CAN WATCH WHAT GOES ON WITH THIS PARK, WITH THE VERDE, AND THE TRAIL CONNECTIVITY.
>> A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE COLLABORATIVE.
THIS WAS A VISION OF ONE OF MY PREDECESSORS ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, AFTER THE VERDE FRONT COLLABORATIVE AND THE GREATER CHINO OR THE GREATER PRESCOTT TRAILS INITIATIVE THAT BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY IN AND SAID, PUT A BUNCH OF MAPS UP ON THE WALL AND SAID, WHAT DO YOU WANT US AS A FOREST SERVICE TO PROVIDE FOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.
SINCE THE FOREST NEAR CHINO VALLEY IS FURTHER AWAY FROM THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY, YOU CAN SEE MOST OF THE WORK ON HERE HAS BEEN NOT NECESSARILY ON THE FOREST.
BUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF BRINGING THESE PEOPLE TOGETHER AND HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, YOU CAN'T DENY ADDING A STATE PARK TO THE STATE PARK SYSTEM IS A BAD THING.
IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT FOR THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE AREA, BRINGING THAT ADDITIONAL VISITATION IN.
[02:50:02]
UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE FACILITATION STARTING A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.WE ARE REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF FACILITATION WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE WITH THE EXISTING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SOME OF THE PARTNERS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING, AND ASKING ALL OF OUR PARTNERS THAT WERE CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASE, OR THOSE THAT WEREN'T TO START CONTRIBUTING, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM WE HAVE IN THIS COLLABORATIVE GROUP.
>> THE CONVERSATIONS THAT GO ON ARE WE KNOW THE PEOPLE ARE COMING.
HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR THE PEOPLE COMING? WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE VERDE RIVER.
WE WANT TO PROTECT THE WATER FLOWS, BUT ALSO, THERE'S GOING TO BE TRASH.
WHO'S GOING TO PICK THAT UP? THERE'S GOING TO BE HUMAN WASTE.
HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR THAT, SO IT DOESN'T GO IN THE RIVER AND IT GETS POPPED PROPERLY TREATED? YOU GUYS ARE LAUGHING, BUT THAT'S A REAL THING.
I MEAN, LOOK AT SEDONA. SLIDE ROCK EVERY YEAR, THEY GOT TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF E. COLI.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THESE ISSUES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN, AND BY TALKING WITH, AND EVERYBODY'S THROWING IN MONEY, TIME, AND EFFORT, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD TO SEE.
>> I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS TO ADD.
THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY MAY BE ALSO ADDING AN EXTRA $500 BECAUSE WE TRULY BELIEVE IN THE EFFORT.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WORKING GROUPS, AND ONE OF THEM IS CALLED THE OUTDOOR RECREATION GROUP.
I'M PART OF ALL THE WORKING GROUPS AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM.
I'M ACTUALLY CURRENTLY WRITING A GRANT TO A STAGING AREA AT HOLME MANOR, WHERE THE TOWN OWNS LAND.
THE COLLABORATIVE HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH AND INSPIRED ME TO DO THIS BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING ON SIGNAGE TOGETHER, PUTTING UP SIGNS FOR MITIGATION, INFORMATIONAL SIGNS, AND ALL OF THAT.
IT REALLY STREAMLINED THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND IDENTIFYING WHERE THOSE SIGNS GO, BECAUSE, LIKE YOU JUST SAID, SUPERVISOR, SKY ROCKETS SHUT DOWN EVERY YEAR.
THEY ARE COMING. THE TOURISTS ARE COMING.
THEY'RE RIDING ON THE ROADS, THEY'RE DESTROYING THINGS.
PART OF THIS IS REALLY THE EDUCATION SIDE.
>> SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HISTORICAL OUT THERE.
I MEAN, WE HAVE THE FIRST CAPITAL, EVEN THOUGH THEY STOPPED THERE BY ACCIDENT.
AND THEN YOU HAVE THE HARVEY RANCH, WHICH HAS RECENTLY BEEN TAKEN OVER, AND WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE.
THERE'S LIKE FOUR BUILDINGS, AND THREE WE CAN RESTORE.
BUT BECAUSE OF TIME, ONE IS ALREADY PAST RESTORING.
IT'S TIME FOR THIS STUFF TO HAPPEN, AND THESE PEOPLE TALKING AND WORKING TOGETHER, I THINK, IS MORE THAN WORTH THE $3,000 INVESTMENT TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD.
>> YEAH. I JUST WANT TO SAY, I APPRECIATE HOW YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR GRANTS AND THAT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING AND BEING A PART OF THIS FUNDING FOR YOUR EFFORTS.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH, AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? MAURY?
>> JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR BOTH, AND DIDN'T MEAN TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT THERE, MAGGIE, BUT I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT.
GOOD TO SEE YOU, JOHN. THANK YOU BOTH.
>> BOARD, NEXT, YOU WILL SEE MAP FORCE AND NOT MAKING A REQUEST THIS YEAR.
THEY DID NOT LAST YEAR, BUT FOR HISTORICAL REASONS, THEY STILL SHOW THERE, SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAD BEEN FUNDED FOR MAP FORCE IN THE PAST.
NEXT, WE HAVE A NEW REQUEST WHO'S ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD THIS YEAR, AND THAT'S THE PURE IMAGINATION MUSIC FESTIVAL.
CANDACE IS HERE. PLEASE COME UP.
>> I ALSO BROUGHT CUPCAKES IF YOU'D LIKE TO PASS THEM DOWN.
>> I'M ALREADY SUPPORTING YOU WITH MY TICKETS.
>> THANK YOU FOR RINGING CHEAP TRICK.
I'LL GIVE YOU 100 BUCKS IF I CAN ANNOUNCE THE BAND.
>> THAT'S PRETTY RECORDED, I WANT YOU TO KNOW.
>> IT'S ACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN BUT I'LL TAKE THAT.
>> HELLO, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS CANDACE DEVINE SHERIDAN.
I AM THE OWNER, FOUNDER, CREATOR OF THE PURE IMAGINATION MUSIC FESTIVAL THAT IS HELD AT WATSON LAKE IN MAY, COMING UP MAY 17, ACTUALLY.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING, AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, THERE ARE STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME, JUST SO THIS ALL MAKES SENSE AS TO WHY I'M HERE, AND I'M SURE IT'LL MAKE THE REST OF MY PRESENTATION ALL THE CLEARER.
I'M A GRAMMY-NOMINATED SONGWRITER.
I HAVE SPENT MY WHOLE YOUNG ADULT LIFE TOURING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND WORLD AS A SINGER, PERFORMING WITH ARTISTS FROM CHRISTINA AGUILERA, TORONTO STAR.
RECORDING ON MAJOR ALBUMS AND BEING THE VOICES OF MAJOR FEATURE FILMS AND TV SHOWS.
I HAVE LIVED HERE JUST OVER 12 YEARS.
MY FAMILY HAS BEEN HERE JUST OVER 15.
IF WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINS OF US IN ARIZONA,
[02:55:03]
IF ANY OF YOU HAVE DRIVEN OUT THE HIGHWAY 40, IF YOU SEE ANDY DEVINE DRIVE, THAT IS MY GREAT UNCLE.WE HAVE LONGSTANDING ROOTS IN NORTHERN ARIZONA, AND WE LOVE IT HERE IMMENSELY.
HERE WE GO. LET'S START WITH WHY PURE IMAGINATION FESTIVAL.
BACK IN 2021, WE WERE STILL IN THE THROES OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT INCHING OUR WAY OUT.
AS SOMEBODY WHO TRAVELS MANY PLACES, HAS ALL TYPES OF FRIENDS FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, THANKFULLY.
I STARTED TO SEE PEOPLE CANCEL EACH OTHER LEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER.
THEY WERE CANCELING THEIR GRANDPARENTS, THEIR PARENTS, THEIR FRIENDS, WHETHER THEY AGREED ON A SHOT OR NOT A SHOT, WHETHER THEY AGREED ON A MASK OR NOT A MASK, WHETHER THEY WERE LEFT, WHETHER THEY WERE RIGHT.
I AT THE TIME, WAS DOING AS MUCH AS I COULD FOR MY IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS BASED IN PRESCOTT, ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN THE COUNTY, NOT IN THE CITY LIMITS OF PRESCOTT.
I HAD HELPED I HAD PRODUCE THE CHRISTMAS CITY SPECIAL WHEN CHRISTMAS HAD BEEN CANCELED SO THAT WE COULD PUT CHRISTMAS ONLINE.
I HAD CREATED THE FRIDAY FEATURE, WHICH WAS ALLOWING MUSICIANS TO PERFORM ON FRIDAYS THROUGH A VIRTUAL STREAM AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO TIP ONLINE SO THAT THEY COULD MAINTAIN THEIR LIVELIHOODS SINCE ALL OF OUR LIVE MUSIC HAD BEEN CANCELED.
I STARTED TO SEE THIS DEEP NEED FOR PEOPLE TO BE TOGETHER.
PEOPLE HAD FORGOTTEN HOW TO BE TOGETHER.
THEY WERE JUST HATING EACH OTHER FOR GENERAL DIFFERENCES.
THEY HAD LOST THE ABILITY TO AGREE TO DISAGREE.
AT THE END OF 2021, I HAD SAID WE REALLY NEED A MUSIC FESTIVAL, IN MY EXPERIENCE, BASED ON MY LIFE PLAN.
NOTHING BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER BETTER THAN LIVE MUSIC, ARTS, AND CULTURE.
THE IDEA THAT WE COULD PUT IT OUTSIDE AND PEOPLE COULD DISTANCE COMFORTABLY AND CREATE WHATEVER LEVEL OF INTEGRATION THEY WANTED TO WAS REALLY APPEALING.
I HAD GONE AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND REACHED OUT TO VERY AFFLUENT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, ASKING IF ANY OF THEM SHARED MY VISION.
I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS A PERSON WHO GAVE ME A PERSONAL LOAN.
I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER, AND I SAID, I GOT THIS AMAZING, HUGE LOAN.
I'M GOING TO BUILD A MUSIC FESTIVAL.
WE'RE BRINGING PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER.
WE'RE GOING TO JUST GET PAST THIS COVID THING.
HE PROMPTLY LAUGHED ME OFF THE PHONE AND SAID, CANDACE, I'M NEGOTIATING A $35,000,000 MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND YOUR CUTE LITTLE AMOUNT OF MONEY IS NOT GOING TO GET YOU ANYTHING.
BUT GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, AND I WISH YOU THE BEST.
THROUGH THIS JOURNEY, I'VE HAD BOTH REALLY GOOD LUCK WITH TIMING AND REALLY HARD LUCK WITH TIMING.
THE GOOD LUCK I HAD OUT OF COVID WAS THAT ARTISTS HADN'T BEEN WORKING FOR TWO YEARS, AND EVERYBODY WAS WILLING TO JUST GET BACK TO WORK.
I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THAT FIRST YEAR FESTIVAL FOR JUST OVER $300,000.
THAT YEAR HAD WYNONNA JUDD, A BAND NAMED DAWES, FANTASTIC NEGRITO, AND SOME OTHER UP-AND-COMING ACTS.
IT WAS SMALL, BUT MIGHTY AT THE SAME TIME.
BUT I ALSO HAD TO DEAL WITH THE CROOKS FIRE AND WATSON LAKE BEING UTILIZED BY ALL THE FIREMEN.
I PROMPTLY HAD TO PLAN A SECOND MUSIC FESTIVAL IN DEWEY AT MORTIMER FARMS. I DIDN'T KNOW IF I COULD PUT UP THE FESTIVAL UNTIL TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL.
WHEN THE CITY CALLED AND SAID, GOOD NEWS, THE FIRE'S BEEN CONTAINED.
EVERYBODY'S LEAVING. THIS WAS ON THE 18TH, AND THE FESTIVAL WAS ON MAY 20 THAT YEAR.
ALSO, WHAT HAPPENED, WYNONNA JUDD'S MOTHER HAD PASSED AWAY, AND WE HAD TO, UNFORTUNATELY, ANNOUNCE THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE MAKING IT DUE TO THE FUNERAL AND MOURNING, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.
WE GOT THROUGH. AT THE SAME TIME, OUR TICKETING COMPANY WENT BANKRUPT, AND OVER 2000 PEOPLE WALKED IN FOR FREE.
BECAUSE THEY PACKED UP AND LEFT AT 4:00.
THE FIRST YEAR I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO KILL ME, AND I THOUGHT FOR SURE, I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO DO IT AGAIN.
BUT I BELIEVE SO DEEPLY IN WHAT IT REPRESENTS AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR.
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT ALSO THAT WE ARE THE ONLY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN NORTHERN ARIZONA OF OUR SIZE AND SCALE, WHICH MAKES US INCREDIBLY SPECIAL FOR THE AREA, BECAUSE WHERE YOU CAN GO TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE, YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF FESTIVALS, MOSTLY OWNED BY CORPORATE ENTITIES.
I'M ALSO ONE OF TWO, I BELIEVE, MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA THAT IS ACTUALLY INDEPENDENT.
I HAVE CHOSEN TO STAY THAT WAY, ALTHOUGH AFTER LAST YEAR, IT'S HARD TO DECIDE TO DO THAT, BUT I BELIEVE IN REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO LIVE HERE TO KNOW WHO THAT COMMUNITY IS.
BETWEEN US AND A FESTIVAL IN BISBEE, WE ARE THE ONLY ONES BUILT BY YAVAPAI COUNTY FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY, AS FAR AS THE PURE IMAGINATION FESTIVAL GOES.
[03:00:02]
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, I BELIEVE IT ENHANCES OUR QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH A CONNECTION OF MUSIC, ART, AND NATURE.IT SHARES A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE THAT BRINGS GENERATIONAL GAPS TOGETHER, WHICH I SEE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE IN PRESCOTT, THE MORE WE GROW.
IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, WE HAVE YOUNGER PEOPLE MOVING IN.
WE HAVE A LARGE RETIREE POPULATION.
WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE INCREDIBLE CROSSOVER THERE.
THIS FESTIVAL HAS REALLY ANSWERED THAT NEED.
MY ECONOMIC REPORT WAS PROVIDED TO ME BY THE CITY OF PRESCOTT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR'S FESTIVAL.
IN JUST THREE AND A HALF TOTAL DAYS OF PROGRAMMING.
OUR FIRST YEAR, WE WERE A ONE-DAY FESTIVAL, OUR SECOND YEAR, WE WERE A ONE-DAY FESTIVAL, OUR THIRD YEAR, WE REALLY TRIED TO JUMP AND GROW AND BECOME A TWO-DAY FESTIVAL.
AS THAT'S WHAT HELPS YOU LAUNCH INTO THE BIG MAJOR FESTIVAL WATERS IS WHEN YOU'RE MULTI-DAY.
WE DID THAT IN A YEAR THAT WAS ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGING.
IT WAS A YEAR THAT WAS AN ELECTION YEAR.
IT WAS A YEAR THAT INFLATION WAS STILL AT RECORD HIGH, AND WE STRUGGLED IMMENSELY.
PRIOR TO THAT, THE TWO YEARS PRIOR, I HAD BEEN VERY LUCKY TO SQUEAK BY AT A BREAK-EVEN.
BUT WE HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB WITH OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT.
WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME FROM ALL OVER.
WE HAVE OUR HOTELS FULL, OUR GAS STATIONS ARE BEING USED, OUR RESTAURANTS ARE BEING EATEN.
I'VE HEARD YOU ASK OTHER PEOPLE, WHERE THIS REALLY DOES AFFECT THE COUNTY, IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE QUITE HONESTLY, ENOUGH BEDS WITHIN THE QUAD CITY AREA FOR HOUSING, PEOPLE THAT COME FROM OTHER PLACES.
OUR ATTENDEES HAVE STARTED TO STAY FARTHER AND FARTHER OUT AND MAKE LONGER STAYS.
THEY MIGHT STAY IN JEROME, OR THEY MIGHT STAY IN COTTONWOOD OR EVEN IN PARTS OF SEDONA, AND UTILIZE US AS AN ANCHOR TO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING.
THEN, TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTY TO ENJOY OTHER ELEMENTS OF WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.
OVER THREE YEARS, WE'VE BROUGHT IN JUST OVER TWO AND A QUARTER MILLION.
THAT HAS RANKED US CERTAINLY IN THE TOP FIVE EVENTS WITHIN PRESCOTT, REALLY MORE LIKE THE TOP THREE, AND WE, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, ARE THE ONLY FESTIVAL OF OUR KIND IN NORTHERN ARIZONA.
[LAUGHTER] I HIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER OUR COUNTY AND FROM THE REGION AS A WHOLE.
WE UTILIZE THE PUSD BUS SYSTEM THAT WE HIRE TO SHUTTLE PEOPLE IN.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE PARTNERING WITH EMBRY-RIDDLE TO ALLOW ALL OUR PARKING THERE TO SHUTTLE ALL OF OUR ATTENDEES IN BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKING AT WATSON LAKE PARK, WHICH PROVIDES EXTRA HOURS FOR OUR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.
WE ALSO HIRE PARKING CREWS, OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS.
WE'VE UTILIZED THE AZ RANGERS BEFORE, AS WELL AS PRIVATE SECURITY TEAMS FROM THE AREA, LOCAL MUSICIANS, TICKETING, SALES PERSONNEL, TRASH PICKUP AND MAINTENANCE.
WE ARE AN ECO-FORWARD FESTIVAL.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE DON'T USE ANY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.
WE USE ALL RECYCLABLE AND COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS ON SITE WITH OUR FOOD VENDORS AND BAR.
WE KEEP CREWS FOR FENCING, FOR BARTENDING.
WE HAVE LOCAL ARTISAN VENDORS FROM ALL OVER.
WE PUT UP A PRESCOTT NIGHT MARKET, WHICH FEATURES 40-PLUS ARTISAN VENDORS SELLING THE THINGS THAT THEY MAKE AND CREATE FROM OUR AREA.
WE HAVE WELLNESS FACILITATORS, MASSAGE THERAPISTS, YOGA PRACTITIONERS.
WE DO AD BUYS AND MARKETING ALL OVER THE STATE, AS WELL AS THE GREATER WESTERN UNITED STATES TO PROMOTE THIS FESTIVAL.
WE ALSO UTILIZE MEDICAL, AMBULANCE, SETUP CREWS, CLEANUP CREWS.
CLEANUP IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
WE KNOW WE'RE ON INDIGENOUS LAND.
WE WANT THAT PARK TO BE CLEANER THAN WE FOUND IT, AND WE WILL WORK TIRELESSLY, AS LONG AS IT TAKES, TO ENSURE THAT EVERY LAST OUNCE OF TRASH OR SPECK OF SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE IS PICKED UP.
WE ALSO HAVE CAMPING ON SITES, SO WE UTILIZE CAMPING MANAGEMENT.
OF COURSE, WE HAVE SOUND, STAGE, LIGHTS, CREW.
WE HAVE TO BRING IN OUR STAGES FROM OUT OF STATE.
THEY DON'T EXIST IN ARIZONA, SO WE HAVE TO SHIP IN ALL OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE HIRE FOR GOLF CARTS, PORTA-JOHNS, CATERING, AND OBVIOUSLY LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGN, PRINTING, AND ADVERTISING WITHIN THE REGION AS A WHOLE.
THIS YEAR, I MADE A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW, WE ALSO ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE SOME OF OUR LOCAL HISTORY.
WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE WESTERN HERITAGE CENTER AND CHARLOTTE HALL MUSEUM.
THEY'RE DOING OUR ENTRY THIS YEAR, WHICH WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
THEY'RE BASICALLY CREATING A MUSEUM PEACE ENTRY TO TALK ABOUT THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE AREA, AND THEY'RE SHOWCASING PORTRAITS OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE MOVED THE ARTS AND CULTURE MOVEMENT FORWARD WITHIN THE REGION.
ALTHOUGH OUR QUAD CITIES REALLY IS OUR PRIMARY DEMOGRAPHIC, YOU'LL SEE CHINO VALLEY, DEWEY, PRESCOTT VALLEY, AND PRESCOTT, A LOT OF THAT. WE DRAW TRAVELERS.
OVER A THIRD OF OUR AUDIENCE ACTUALLY COMES FROM OVER 90 MILES AWAY.
THAT DOES INCLUDE SEDONA, FLAGSTAFF, PHOENIX, TUSCON, CHANDLER, NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, NEW YORK, OREGON, AND EVEN AS FAR AS HAWAII AND ALASKA.
[03:05:02]
IN THREE SHORT YEARS, WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF LETTING THIS FESTIVAL BE LEARNED ABOUT FAR AND WIDE.WE LIKE TO THINK OF OURSELVES MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT.
WE WANT TO BE A PILLAR OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE DO PARTNER WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS.
WE ALSO PARTNER WITH BUSINESSES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, AS I MENTIONED, TO TRY TO CREATE A SPACE THAT'S INSPIRING AND REFLECTS THE HEART AND SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A LONG ONE. I'LL TRY MY BEST NOT TO JUST BLATANTLY READ IT TO YOU, BUT I PUT EVERYTHING I WANTED TO SAY INTO THIS.
AS WE KEEP GROWING AS A COUNTY, AS A REGION, WITH THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE MOVING HERE FROM ALL OVER, WHETHER IT'S CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, THE MIDWEST, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE CHANGING TRENDS.
AS I'VE LISTENED HERE TODAY, YOU GUYS SUPPORT SO MANY FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT AND WONDERFUL THINGS, AND WHAT YOU ACHIEVE IS INCREDIBLE.
I GUESS I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOU TO SUPPORT A LITTLE BIT OF THE SPIRIT AND SOUL OF OUR COMMUNITY, A LITTLE BIT OF THE FUN OF OUR COMMUNITY, A LITTLE BIT OF THE COGNITIVE CONNECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE NOT A BIG CORPORATE ENTITY.
WE ARE PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE ARE ONE OF THE LAST STANDING INDEPENDENT, LOCALLY OWNED FESTIVALS IN ARIZONA.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
THE LIVE EVENTS INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY INDEPENDENT FESTIVALS HAVE BEEN DEEPLY IMPACTED BY POST-PANDEMIC ECONOMIC REALITIES.
PRODUCTION COSTS HAVE SURGED IMMENSELY.
LIKE I SAID, THAT FIRST YEAR WITH THE BUDGET THAT I HAD, AND I HOPE I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING NATIONWIDE STREAMING ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I WAS ABLE TO ACQUIRE WYNONNA JUDD FOR LESS THAN SIX FIGURES IN THE FIRST YEAR.
SHE IS NOW NORTH OF A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS PLUS JUST IN A THREE-YEAR WINDOW.
WE WENT FROM HALF OF A SIX-FIGURE TO DOUBLE AND A HALF IN THREE YEARS.
THAT HAS AFFECTED EVERYTHING FOR US.
THE ARTISTS HAVE TRIPLED IN THEIR VALUE ESTIMATES.
OUR LABOR COSTS AS EVERYBODY IS AWARE, WHEN YOUR BASE PAYS ALL GO UP AND MINIMUM WAGE GOES UP, AND LABOR GOES UP AND RENTAL EQUIPMENT GOES UP, GAS PRICES GO UP, SHIPPING THINGS IN GOES UP, EVERY SINGLE ELEMENT OF WHAT WE BUILD IN THAT PARK BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BRING IT ALL IN IN ORDER TO CREATE THE WORLD FOR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL HAS TRIPLED IN COST.
WHERE I HAVE STARTED THIS FESTIVAL AND WHERE IT HAS GROWN TO, UNFORTUNATELY, THE EXPECTATION OF THE AUDIENCE HASN'T GOTTEN LESS.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE STARTED AS A BAR AND HAVE EVOLVED WITH, IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER AND HARDER.
IT'S AFFECTING THE FESTIVAL INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE.
OVER 45 FESTIVALS SHUT DOWN LAST YEAR AROUND THE GLOBE.
IN ARIZONA ALONE, THERE WAS A WELL-KNOWN AND WELL-LOVED FESTIVAL GEM JAM, IT CLOSED, JUNE JAM CLOSED, AND WE'RE SEEING FESTIVALS TAKE A YEAR OFF, TAKE TWO YEARS OFF, AND REALLY LOSE SOME OF THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE IT'S JUST SO EXPENSIVE.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WHAT I'M HOPING TO ACHIEVE IS THE GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN THE TICKET AFFORDABILITY.
I WANT THIS TO BE AN EVENT THAT IS CENTERED AROUND OUR COMMUNITY AND REPRESENTS WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY AND A REGION, AND A COUNTY.
TICKET PRICES ARE SOMETHING THAT ARE AN ONGOING CONVERSATION TO TRY TO MAKE A VERY CLIFF NOTE VERSION OF THIS.
THERE ARE THREE MAJOR CORPORATIONS, LIVE NATION, GOLDEN VOICE, AEG, THAT HAVE BOUGHT UP INDEPENDENT FESTIVALS LIKE MINE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND GLOBE.
THOSE SAME COMPANIES ARE ALSO INVESTED IN RECORD LABELS, ALSO INVESTED IN SPOTIFY.
WE'RE GETTING TO THIS PLACE WHERE ARTISTS NO LONGER MAKE MONEY ON THEIR MUSIC.
THAT COST IS NOW PASSED TO LIVE EVENT PRODUCTION, IN WHICH CASE, LIVE EVENT PRODUCTION HAS TO PASS THAT COST TO THE ATTENDEE.
THEN THE TICKETING COMPANIES GET INVOLVED AND THE [INAUDIBLE] FEES ON TOP OF THE TICKET PRICE ALSO ADDS TO THE EXTENDED TICKET PRICING.
I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER, WHICH IS PART OF WHY WE'VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN TICKET PRICES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS YEAR, I RAISED THE TICKET PRICES REALLY ONLY ABOUT $12.
BUT WITH THE FEES, OUR GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET IS $155.
THAT'S INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE, AND IT IS NOT A PRICE I WANT TO SET ON THOSE TICKETS, BUT IT IS THE ONLY FUNDAMENTAL WAY TO MAINTAIN KEEPING THIS EVENT ALIVE.
I'M ACTIVELY WORKING ON, I'M OUT OF MY CONTRACT WITH THIS TICKETING COMPANY GOING INTO NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT YOU WOULD BE SUPPORTING,
[03:10:02]
AND LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES WITH LESS FEES TO HELP ENSURE THAT THOSE COSTS STAY LOW.BUT WHEN WE CAN FIND ADDITIONAL FUNDING, THAT HELPS US KEEP THAT SAVINGS FOR THE AUDIENCE, BECAUSE PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS BEING FUNDED FROM A DIFFERENT SOURCE AND NOT JUST TICKET SALES ALONE.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THAT HELPS YOU KEEP OUR WORKING FAMILIES, STUDENTS, RETIREES AT A MORE REASONABLE COST FOR OUR TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT.
WE ALSO DONATE HUNDREDS OF TICKETS TO VETERANS, AS WELL AS SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS, EDUCATORS, WE ALLOW CHILDREN 10 AND UNDER FREE SO THAT FAMILIES HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND WITH THEIR KIDDOS.
WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC AND ART, AND BE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
IT WILL HELP US SUSTAIN A HIGH-QUALITY EXPERIENCE THAT UPLIFTS OUR REGION AND GIVES PEOPLE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY YEAR THAT ALLOWS THEM TO SING AND DANCE.
YOUR SUPPORT HELPS PRESERVE SOMETHING RARE AND WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE VERY POWERFUL.
SOME OF OUR PAST LINEUPS, THESE ARE PROBABLY A LITTLE TINY TO READ, BUT LIKE I SAID, LAST YEAR, THE VERY FIRST YEAR, WE HAD DAWES TALIB KWELI, WHO IS A FAMOUS HIP HOP ARTIST, FANTASTIC NEGRITO, WHO HAD WON NPR'S TINY DISK, AND HE'S A BLUES ROCK ARTIST.
THE YEAR AFTER THAT, WE HAD ZIGGY MARLEY, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, LOS LOBOS, AND OTHER UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS.
WE HAD MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD WITH OZOMANTI, AND MY BAND, PONDEROSA GROVE, AND SLIM GAMBILL, AS WELL AS ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WE HAD THE FLAMING LIPS AND SYLVAN ESSO, TANYA TUCKER, THE PHARCYDE, DORAND JONES, AND MORE.
THIS YEAR, WE HAVE CHEAP TRICK. EXCUSE ME.
MATISYAHU, WHO'S A REGGAE ARTIST, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, ALSO HIP HOP, THE ENGLISH BEAT, OR SKA PUNK REGGAE CROSSOVER, GONE GONE BEYOND, WHICH ARE FOLK.
KELSEY WALDON IS AN UP-AND-COMING COUNTRY ARTIST WHO'S AMAZING.
SHE'S BEEN VOTED BEST RECORD BY ROLLING STONE, ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRY ALBUMS OF 2024.
AGAIN, MY BAND I WAS JOKED. I WORKED SO HARD ALL YEAR.
I PUT MY BAND UP THERE AS [LAUGHTER] IT'S FUN.
BURDON BYRON, A SOUL DUO OUT OF NASHVILLE.
KIDS IN AMERICA IS A POP BAND OUT OF CALIFORNIA.
PIJAMA PIYAMA IS FROM PHOENIX.
DUTCH HOLLY IS ALSO A PRESCOTT-BASED BAND, AND THEN OUR TAKE THE STAGE WINNER WAS THE HAWTHORNE EXPERIENCE OUT OF TUSCON.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR'S LINEUP.
WE ARE EAGER TO START ONCE THIS YEAR IS OVER, MAY 17TH, I CLEAN UP ON MAY 18TH.
I DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO WRAP UP ALL THE LOOSE ENDS BY THE END OF MAY, AND THEN IN JUNE, I START ON NEXT YEAR.
IT TAKES ALL YEAR TO BUILD AND TO PLAN.
THERE ARE SO MANY MOVING PARTS.
BUT IT HAS BECOME THE JOY OF MY LIFE NEXT TO BEING A MOM AND A WIFE.
I'M JUST THRILLED THAT YOU GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT SO THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME COMING TO THE BOARD.
>> I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY, I GUESS THAT THE COUNTY DOES FOR CERTAIN NONPROFITS.
>> SURE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER A DECENT RESEARCHER.
I THINK THE ONE REASON WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SUCCEED AS LONG AS WE HAVE IS THAT I AM TOO STUBBORN TO QUIT.
IF THERE ARE OUTLETS TO BE FOUND, I'M PRETTY SAVVY AT FINDING THEM.
I HAD ORIGINALLY APPROACHED THE CITY OF PRESCOTT TO ALSO SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL.
I WAS GRANTED $7,600, WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL FOR THIS YEAR.
I HAD COME INTO MAURY'S OFFICE ASKING HOW TO BE INVOLVED OR TO AT LEAST DISCUSS WITH THE COUNTY, BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAT I THINK THE COUNTY COULD ALSO SUPPORT US.
FINANCIALLY IS OBVIOUSLY THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF HELP.
BUT I THINK YOU MAY ALSO HAVE RESOURCES, AND THIS IS WHY I CAME TO MAURY, WHETHER IT'S FENCING, PORTA POTTIES, WHETHER IT'S ADDITIONAL CLEANUP CREW.
IF THERE'S ANY RESOURCES THAT HELP US TAKE COST OFF THE BILL, BUT ARE WITHIN YOUR ABILITY OF EXPANSION IN OUR DIRECTION.
THAT IS ALSO REALLY USEFUL. I CAME IN.
I HAD SET AN APPOINTMENT WITH MAURY JUST TO PICK HIS BRAIN INITIALLY TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE OTHER WAYS OF WHICH I COULD ASK FOR SUPPORT.
HE HAD THEN RECOMMENDED, HEY, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SUBMIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
>> WE OBVIOUSLY ARE A PARTNER WITH THE CHAMBER.
MANY OF DIFFERENT PLACES YOU'VE MENTIONED THAT I DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH.
ANYWAY, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.
I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE ANY MORE TIME ALLOTTED.
IT JUST SHOWS YOU WHAT THE FESTIVAL IS.
>> I HAVE MANY OTHERS, I APPRECIATE IT.
[03:15:01]
WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT ANOTHER HOUR AND A HALF LEFT OF THIS DATE BUT I DO APPRECIATE IT.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> I JUST WANT YOU TO WANT ME.
>> YOU'VE BEEN SITTING THERE WAITING FOR THAT.
BOARD NEXT, WE HAVE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, MATT IS ASKING FOR AN INCREASE OF $75,221 THIS YEAR FOR A TOTAL REQUEST OF $263,885.
I AM PRIVILEGED TO BE DIRECTOR OF YAO COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, AS WELL AS A WORKING AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENT.
I THANK CHAIR MALLORY AND THE BOARD FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME HERE AND TELL YOU ABOUT MY FAVORITE TOPIC, WHICH IS YAO PIKE COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. NO JOKE.
I HOPE AS I EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT WE DO THAT YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY.
NOW, I DID JUST GO AHEAD AND PASS OUT OUR 2024 ANNUAL REPORT.
I THINK WHEN I MET WITH YOU ALL AND SUPERVISOR JENKINS, I'M SORRY I HAVE NOT HAD THE TIME TO MEET WITH YOU YET, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
IT'S A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU TODAY, AND ALL THE THINGS WE DID IN 2023.
BUT I THINK WHAT I'LL TELL YOU TODAY IS NOT ONLY WHAT HAPPENED IN 2024.
BUT JUST WHAT WE DO IN GENERAL, SO YOU GUYS CAN GET AN IDEA OF THE WORK THAT WE DO, WHICH IT'S INTERESTING AS I LOOK AROUND THESE ROOMS, AS I LISTEN TO THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT PRESENT, I AM CHALLENGED TO NOT FIND A SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION DOES NOT TOUCH.
I FEEL LIKE WE ARE ALMOST EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
I GREW UP HERE IN PRESCOTT, AND I RECENTLY CAME BACK ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, AND IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY A PLEASURE TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I ASSUME I MET WITH ALL OF YOU ONCE, BUT THAT IS I'M SURE YOU ALL MEET WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IF YOU'VE ALREADY FORGOTTEN WHAT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS, I DON'T BLAME YOU AT ALL.
WHEN I WAS A YOUNGER MAN LIVING IN PRESCOTT, I WALKED BY THE RODEO GROUNDS MANY TIMES AND SAW THE UOA SIGN RIGHT THERE ON THE GATE, AND I GO, WOW.
THAT'S NEAT. THE UOAS TEACHING ALGEBRA IN PRESCOTT. THEY'RE DELIVERED. THAT'S COOL.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT IT WAS AT ALL.
WE DON'T DO FORMAL EDUCATION WITH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
WE DO VERY INFORMAL, GENERALLY ADULT EDUCATION.
>> COOPERATIVE EXTENSION HAS ROOTS BACK, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION HAS PROBABLY BEEN IN ARIZONA AS LONG AS ARIZONA HAS BEEN A STATE, IF NOT LONGER.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION STARTED IN 1914, BUT HAS ROOTS EVEN BEFORE THAT.
YOU CAN SEE IN 1862, PRESIDENT LINCOLN PASSED THE MORRILL ACT, AND THE MORRILL ACT WAS ALL ABOUT LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES.
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, THAT MIGHT JUST SOUND LIKE A WORD, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING PARTICULARLY SPECIAL.
ASU IS NOT THE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY.
NAU, MAYO ALMA MATER, IS NOT THE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY.
WE ARE THE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS BACK IN 1862, PRESIDENT LINCOLN SAID, THE US IS EXPANDING.
OUR POPULATION IS GROWING NOT JUST WEST, BUT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE NATION, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW YORK, AND RIGHT IN THESE HUBS WHERE THESE IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITIES ARE ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME EDUCATED.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN GAVE LAND TO EACH STATE SO THAT THEY COULD EITHER BUILD OR FUND UNIVERSITIES OF THEIR OWN.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STARTED IN 1885, SHORTLY AFTER THAT, BUT WE'VE BEEN GOING PRETTY STRONG SINCE.
IN 1914, THE SMITH LEVER ACT PASSED AND WENT ONE STEP FARTHER AND SAID, IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO JUST HAVE A UNIVERSITY IN TUCSON, BECAUSE WE DON'T JUST HAVE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN TUCSON OR WHEREVER YOU'RE AT.
I CAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE AT ONE POINT, AND WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS THE LAND GRANT THERE.
IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH JUST TO HAVE A UNIVERSITY IN PULLMAN.
WE NEED TO REACH ALL OF OUR CITIZENS THAT ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THAT'S WHY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WAS BORN.
NOW, THIS WAS JUST POST-INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND SO AS IS TODAY, AND IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION GOES IN THE FUTURE, BUT AS IS TODAY,
[03:20:01]
TECHNOLOGY WAS CHANGING VERY, VERY QUICKLY AT THAT POINT.AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES WERE CHANGING VERY, VERY QUICKLY.
MECHANICAL TECHNIQUES WERE CHANGING VERY, VERY QUICKLY.
PEOPLE WERE LEARNING NEW THINGS ABOUT MEDICINE AND FOOD PRESERVATION, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, AND WE NEEDED TO GET THAT INFORMATION OUT TO ALL COUNTIES.
EVEN TO THIS DAY, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE IS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
MORE IS FROM KANSAS, AND KANSAS STATE IS THE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY THERE AND THE HANDLES COOPERATIVE EXTENSION THERE.
BUT IN EVERY COUNTY IN ARIZONA OR KANSAS OR WASHINGTON, OR WHEREVER ELSE, THERE IS A COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC.
THE REASON WE ARE CALLED COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, WE ARE NOT A COOP.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL REFER TO US AS THE COOP.
BUT WE DO NOT BUY AND BULK AND GIVE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, CHEAP PRICES.
WE ARE COOPERATIVELY FUNDED, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I'M HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE OF MY COOPERATIVE FUNDERS.
WE ARE COOPERATIVELY FUNDED BY THE LOCAL COUNTY THAT WE'RE FROM, VERY GENEROUSLY, BY YAVAPAI COUNTY, I MIGHT ADD.
THE COUNTY IS ONLY REQUIRED TO GIVE ME SOME MONEY.
IT'S NOT STATED ANYWHERE HOW MUCH YOU'RE REQUIRED TO GIVE US IN OUR BUILDING. IT COULD BE A SHED.
I DO APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY MADE OVER, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS OF COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
IT GOES AT LEAST BACK TO CARLTON CAMP, WHO WAS A FORMER COUNTY SUPERVISOR AFTER HE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
WE'RE ALSO FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE SMITH LEVER ACT, AND WE ARE FUNDED BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA AND THE LEGISLATURE.
WE ARE EXTENSION BECAUSE, AS I SAID, OUR JOB IS TO EXTEND KNOWLEDGE FROM THE UNIVERSITY TO THE REST OF THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
A COLLEAGUE OF MINE SAYS THAT WE ARE EDUCATION FOR THE 7.5 MILLION THAT DO NOT ACTUALLY ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.
WE PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE ELSE.
NOW, WE DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WE WORK ON, AND THEY ARE VAST, AND I'M PROUD OF THEM.
BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS WHERE WE LEAN ON IS WE PROVIDE SCIENCE-BASED OBJECTIVE EDUCATION.
AS I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WAS UNTIL I MOVED UP TO WASHINGTON.
THE WAY I FOUND OUT WAS, I BECAME A FARMER.
AS A FARMER, I WAS RUNNING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FARMING OPERATION, AND I WAS TOTALLY UNPREPARED OUT OF GRAD SCHOOL AND I NEEDED HELP AND I WENT TO COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WAS, IF A SALESMAN CAME TO ME AND SAID, MATT, YOU NEED THIS PRODUCT, IT'S $50,000 AN ACRE, BUT MAN, IT IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR WHOLE WORLD.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT SALESMEN AREN'T TRUSTWORTHY, AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT THEY'RE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE BUT THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
I COULD ALWAYS GO TO WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND ASK THEM, THEY'RE SPECIALISTS AND I SAID, DO I REALLY NEED THIS PRODUCT? SOMETIMES THEY WOULD SAY TO ME, YES, MATT, YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED THIS PRODUCT.
EVERYBODY FARMING HAS THIS PRODUCT, AND SOMETIMES THEY WOULD SAY, MATT, THERE'S ACTUALLY NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SAY THAT THIS PRODUCT DOES ANYTHING FOR YOU.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION I WORKED WITH VERY CLOSELY MY WHOLE TIME IN AGRICULTURE UP IN WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY AND THAT'S WHY I'M SO GLAD TO BE HERE TODAY SO THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN PASS ON THOSE SAME KIND OF SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF YAVAPAI COUNTY.
THIS IS A MAP HERE TO SHOW YOU WHERE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION EXISTS.
BUT WE ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN EVERY COUNTY, WE DO HAVE AN OFFICE IN CAMP VERDE, AS WELL AS AT THE RODEO GROUNDS, WHERE WE ARE OPEN FOUR DAYS A WEEK, BUT WE SERVE PEOPLE OFTEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH PROGRAMMING.
WE ALSO HAVE FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF EXTENSION JUST ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS AS WELL.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE EVERYWHERE.
YOU NEED COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
IT MAY NOT BE UOA, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS IS THE TEAM THAT I LEAD, THAT I AM PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO LEAD ALL VERY STRONG LEADERS AND EXPERTS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
I SAY SINCERELY THAT I COULD NOT DO WHAT I DO TODAY WITHOUT THEM.
ALSO, BELOW IS OUR ADVISORY BOARD.
SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WERE IN HERE TODAY.
GAIL STEIGER IS ONE OF THE FOLKS THAT CAME UP AND TALKED TO YOU TODAY.
HE'S A LOCAL RANCHER AT THE SPIDER RANCH, SO WE HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD MADE UP OF PEOPLE THAT REPRESENT OUR PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, AND THAT IS IN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, FAMILY AND CONSUMER HEALTH SCIENCES AND 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
WE TRY OUR VERY BEST TO HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER THAT REPRESENTS EACH ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS.
WE'RE STILL LOOKING IN DISTRICT THREE.
FOR SOME REASON, IT'S VERY HARD TO FIND SOMEONE FROM DISTRICT THREE.
[03:25:04]
MOST PEOPLE, EVEN IF THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THEY'RE AT LEAST FAMILIAR WITH 4-H. AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I OFTEN TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT 4-H, THE FIRST THING THEY SAY, KIDS IN LIVESTOCK.THAT'S TRUE. IT IS KIDS AND LIVESTOCK, BUT IT IS ALWAYS SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE COMMUNITY.
YOU GO DOWN TO PHOENIX, AND IN INTERCITY PHOENIX, THEY HAVE 4-H, TOO, BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY KIDS IN LIVESTOCK, IT MIGHT BE ROBOTICS AND LEGOS.
IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE THE KEY TO 4-H IS ABOUT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT BUILDING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.
IF WHAT KIDS WANT TO LEARN IS ABOUT LIVESTOCK, THAT'S GREAT.
WE'LL TEACH THEM THAT. IF THEY WANT TO LEARN ABOUT ENGINEERING, WE'LL TEACH THEM THAT.
BUT REALLY, WE ARE BUILDING THE FUTURE COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND LEADERS. IT'S THE TRUTH.
IF YOU'VE MET 4-H KIDS, AND IF YOU'VE LOOKED THEM IN THE EYE AND TALKED TO THEM, THEY ARE A DIFFERENT BREED IN A GOOD WAY. THEY'RE NOT WEIRDOS.
>> 4-H ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.
>> THERE YOU GO. EVEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.
>> 4-H PENNSYLVANIA. YEAH. IT'S IMPRESSIVE WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE.
THEY ARE READY TO WALK INTO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WHEN THEY'RE 15 YEARS OLD.
MANY OF THEM COULD TAKE MY JOB, FRANKLY.
THESE ARE IMPRESSIVE KIDS, AND I'M REALLY IMPRESSED AND PROUD OF THE SERVICE THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED TO YAVAPAI COUNTY 4-H, EVEN JUST SINCE I'VE STARTED.
SINCE 2022, WE HAVE TRIPLED THE SIZE OF THE FOUR H PROGRAM IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
4-H WAS DWINDLING QUITE A BIT, ESPECIALLY POST-PANDEMIC.
A LOT OF THINGS WERE DWINDLING QUITE A BIT POST-PANDEMIC.
IN ADDITION TO OUR CLUB MEMBERS, WE HAVE SERVED 2,500 LOCAL SCHOOL KIDS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
I THINK IT'S USUALLY FIFTH GRADE, I THINK IS WHEN WE DELIVER SCIENCE EDUCATION, AND WE GO TO ALL THE FIFTH GRADE CLASSES THROUGHOUT YAVAPAI COUNTY AND TEACH THEM ABOUT A MYRIAD OF TOPICS.
ONE OF THE TOPICS THAT I THINK WOULD BE INTERESTING TO PURSUE IN THE FUTURE MORE STRONGLY WOULD BE WATER EDUCATION.
WE DO A LITTLE WATER EDUCATION.
WE DO A LOT OF EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION, BUT I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT WATER IS TO THIS COMMUNITY.
IF YOU GUYS ARE INTERESTED IN GROWING THAT PROGRAM AS WELL.
ON TOP OF THE 370 KIDS, WE HAVE 71 VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP THOSE KIDS DO WHAT THEY DO, AND THEY HAVE REPORTED OVER 5,000 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, WHICH IS NO SMALL AMOUNT.
USUALLY, THESE ARE WORKING PARENTS THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR KIDS AND YOUR KIDS AND EVERYONE'S KIDS' FUTURES.
WE TEACH KIDS ABOUT THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS.
THEN NOT TO FORGET, BUT THE HAROLD AND MITZI JAMES CAMP ON TOP OF MINGS MOUNTAIN, WHERE SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS ORGANIZE OVER THE SUMMER. AND ENJOY.
I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER ALL THE GROUPS, BUT I KNOW GAME AND FISH IN THE FOREST SERVICE AND PEOPLE FROM THE UFA.
I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
I'M NOT SURE. A LOT OF FOLKS GO UP THERE.
THIS IS OUR SCIENCE VAN WE HAVE HERE.
THIS IS HOW WE DELIVER STEM EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOLS, AND WE CAN TAILOR THAT TO WHATEVER WE NEED TO.
WE ALSO HAVE FAMILY CONSUMER HEALTH SCIENCES.
IF I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, THERE USED TO BE CALLED HOME EC BACK IN THE DAY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK, ESPECIALLY, AS WE GOT MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, THEY LOST THEIR INTEREST IN SOME OF THESE SKILLS.
I REMEMBER BEING IN HIGH SCHOOL, I DIDN'T TAKE HOME EC.
I WISH I WOULD HAVE. THERE ARE SO MANY SKILLS THAT WE HAVE LOST TODAY, AND I THINK THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT US A LOT ABOUT THOSE LOST SKILLS THAT WE WISH WE STILL HAD.
WE ALSO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITHIN THIS SFAMILY CONSUMER HEALTH SCIENCES.
THE FAMILY PART WOULD BE THAT WE PARTNER, IN FACT, WITH YAVAPAI COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES, COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE SNAP EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.
THAT GOES ALONG WITH NATURE NINO, A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM WITH THE CITY OF PRESCOTT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
WE'VE DONE SOME GOOD WORK IN PRESCOTT.
WE THINK WE'RE READY TO GO TO PRESCOTT VALLEY NEXT.
I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO SOME FOLKS FROM PRESCOTT VALLEY.
THAT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING KIDS OUT IN NATURE WITH THEIR CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATING THEM, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THEY MIGHT BE TIMID.
THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW TO BE OUT IN THE WOODS, AND SO THAT PROGRAM HELPS THEM WITH THAT.
WE DO THE SEA TO SUPPER PROGRAM WHICH DELIVERS GARDENING AND COOKING EDUCATION FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES PARTICULARLY.
THE NATIONAL DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM WE PARTICIPATE WITH TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY GARDENS WE HAVE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
IN FACT, THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING TOMORROW AFTERNOON AFTER I FINISH MEETING WITH AT YAVAPAI RANCH WITH THESE LOCAL CATTLE GROWERS THAT YOU JUST SAW BEFORE YOU.
WE WORK WITH THE FIRST THINGS FIRST PROGRAM WITH QUALITY FIRST SCHOOLS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, WHERE WE DO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND SAFETY.
WE HAVE FOLKS THAT GO OUT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE, WE MIGHT BE IN SELIGMAN OR ASH FORK OR, CONGRESS. IT DOESN'T MATTER.
[03:30:02]
WE GO OUT TO CHILDCARE PROVIDER INSTITUTIONS AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE UP TO SNUFF AND SAFE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.IF THEY'RE NOT, WE DON'T TELL THEM THAT THEY'RE BAD OR WRONG OR ANYTHING ELSE.
WE DON'T FIND THEM, BUT WE TEACH THEM AND TRAIN THEM HOW TO BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL AT PROVIDING SAFE PLACES FOR OUR KIDS.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE SERVING 40 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT YAVAPAI COUNTY AND WE GO UP EVERY YEAR.
ONE OF THE NEWEST PROGRAMS WE PUT TOGETHER, WHICH WE DO BOTH FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS IS FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM, WHICH NEVER HURTS IN THESE TRYING TIMES.
ONE PROGRAM I WANTED TO FOCUS ON TODAY IS PART OF FAMILY CONSUMER HEALTH SCIENCES, BUT THAT'S OUR FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ASKS I'M MAKING.
THIS IS FOR 0.5 FTE FOR OUR FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM COORDINATOR.
NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, YOU GUYS GAVE US 0.5 FTE, I DON'T KNOW, 12 YEARS AGO TO SUPPORT THIS POSITION.
THE POSITION WAS SO SUCCESSFUL AND GREW SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE BEEN SUBSIDIZING IT FOR THE OTHER 0.5.
BUT I HAVE REACHED A POINT IN MY BUDGET SINCE I CAME ON IN 2022, THAT WHEN THAT PERSON LEFT, SHE WAS VERY TALENTED WOMAN, SHE LEFT FOR YAVAPAI COLLEGE TO MAKE DOUBLE WHAT SHE MAKES WITH US, I TOLD MY BUSINESS MANAGER, I SAID, WE CANNOT PUT THAT BACK TO 1.0.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE BUDGET AS NOT SUSTAINABLE TO DO THAT.
MY FAMILY CONSUMER HEALTH SCIENCES AGENT, HO WILSON, SHE SAYS, MATT, I NEED THIS SUPPORT.
I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER THIS EDUCATION, AND I SAID, OKAY, I'LL LET THE BOARD DECIDE.
OH, YEAH, DON'T PRESS THAT, AND YOU MIGHT.
THAT'S ONE OF THE ASKS I'M MAKING TODAY.
I'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT OUR FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM DOES.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE YAVAPAI FOOD PROTECTION MANAGER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION EXAM, AND ALL OF THE TRAINING THAT GOES WITH IT.
IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, IF YOU OWN A RESTAURANT IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT HAS PASSED THIS CERTIFICATION EXAM ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE, IF YOU DIDN'T GET SICK FROM FOOD POISONING TODAY, YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANT, THANK YAVAPAI COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, BECAUSE WE MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED, COOKING TEMPS, THINGS LIKE THIS, HOW TO STORE FOOD PROPERLY, ETC.
LAST YEAR, IN 2024, WE HAD 114 PEOPLE ATTEND THE PROGRAM, AND WE PARTNER VERY CLOSELY WITH THE FOOD SAFETY INDUSTRY COUNCIL THAT YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER.
THERE WERE 253 GOLDEN PLATE WINNERS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY THIS YEAR.
THAT MEANS THAT THOSE PEOPLE CANNOT HAVE AN INFRACTION, AND THEY MUST HAVE TAKEN OUR COURSE.
I THINK THAT THE WORK WE'RE DOING IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR FOOD SAFETY IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
RIGHT NOW, WE ARE OFFERING 12 OF THOSE CLASSES PER YEAR, SIX IN THE VERDE VALLEY AND SIX HERE IN PRESCOTT.
I PROPOSE THAT WE DOUBLE THAT, AND WE DO 12 IN THE VERDE VALLEY AND 12 IN PRESCOTT, SO WE CAN KEEP ALL OF OUR CONSUMERS OF OUR WONDERFUL RESTAURANTS SAFE.
NOW, WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING THIS PROGRAM FURTHER, WHAT OCCURRED TO ME IS THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN, AS OF MARCH OF 2024, WE HAVE A NEW COTTAGE FOOD LAW SENT DOWN FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA, BUT HAS GIVEN REALLY NO THOUGHT TO THE COUNTIES AS TO HOW THEY WOULD ENFORCE OR EDUCATE OR DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I PROPOSE THE YAVAPAI COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION DEAL WITH THAT.
I PROPOSE THAT WE PUT TOGETHER A PROGRAMMING THAT EDUCATES NOT ONLY THE PRODUCERS WHO ARE PRODUCING FOOD COMPLETELY UNREGULATED OUT OF THEIR KITCHENS AT HOME, BUT ALSO TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS SO THEY KNOW WHAT IS TRUSTWORTHY, WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR, ETC.
I'LL ADD ON TO THIS EVEN FURTHER IN THAT, THIS POSITION IS EVOLVING.
THESE ARE MY IDEAS FOR WHERE I THINK THIS POSITION SHOULD GO, BUT I MET WITH MAURY AND LESLIE HORTON EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND I SAY, TELL ME, WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE FROM THIS FOOD SAFETY POSITION.
I THINK COTTAGE FOOD LAW MIGHT BE PRETTY IMPORTANT.
>> INVOLVED, BUT WE DID INCLUDE IN OUR ASK A SIGNED LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE FOOD SAFETY INDUSTRY COUNCIL.
IF YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE IT, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK.
I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY. I KEEP GOING ON.
WE'LL ENTER THE REALM OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
THIS IS REALLY THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF WHAT EXTENSION HAS BEEN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
THE UVA HAS HAD A PRESENCE IN AGRICULTURE IN ARIZONA IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, AT LEAST SINCE 1912 YESTERDAY, I WENT TO A COMMEMORATION OF THE PRESCOTT DRY FARM,
[03:35:01]
WHICH WAS A 1912 OPERATION, AN EXPERIMENT STATION.THIS IS BEFORE EXTENSION EVEN EXISTS.
IT WAS RIGHT BY TRI-CITY PREP, RIGHT OFF THE PEAVINE TRAIL., WHERE THEY WERE DELIVERING EXTENSION EDUCATION BY TRAIN CAR.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS RIGHT BY THE RAILROAD, AND THERE WAS A DRY FARM THAT THEY WERE DOING EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON.
BUT NOT TO DETER FROM WHAT I'M ALSO TALKING ABOUT, PROBABLY THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR HORTICULTURE PROGRAM IN AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES IS OUR MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM, 178 OF YOUR STAKEHOLDERS VOLUNTEER FOR THIS PROGRAM.
I GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN PRESCOTT AND CAMP VERDE AND THOSE FOLKS VOLUNTEER TO CONTRIBUTE 12,000 ALMOST 13,000 HOURS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, WHICH I SAY IS NO SMALL AMOUNT.
THEY DID 88 PRESENTATIONS OF SCIENCE BASED EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THEY WORK WITH THE FARMERS' MARKET.
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE, THEY REALLY ARE.
THEY WORK WITH YAVAPAI COLLEGE.
WHAT I'LL SAY IS I DELIVER A LOT OF THE HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, BUT THERE IS A PERSON THAT SUPPORTS ME.
SHE HAS WORKED FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FOR 23 YEARS.
FOR ABOUT 10 OF THOSE YEARS, SHE WAS JUST A VOLUNTEER.
IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS OR SO, I THINK SHE'S BEEN ON AT 0.5.
IT'S COMING TO THE POINT WHERE I NEED TO COMPENSATE HER CORRECTLY.
THE EDUCATION STILL MIGHT HAPPEN HERE DUE TO THE PROGRAMMING THAT I PUT OUT, THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE, THE 12,000 13,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE WOULD NOT, BECAUSE, FRANKLY, I'M NOT THAT WELL ORGANIZED.
THERE'S A MAJOR VALUE TO THAT VOLUNTEER SERVICE, AND I'LL TELL YOU AT THE VERY END OF THIS PRESENTATION WHAT THAT ACCOUNTS FOR.
BUT WE HAVE HELP DESKS, BOTH IN CAMP VERDE AND IN PRESCOTT WHERE ANYONE CAN COME IN, WHETHER YOU'RE COMMERCIAL OR CONSUMER TO ASK VARIOUS QUESTIONS.
I STARTED THE COMMERCIAL VITICULTURE PROGRAM FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF ARIZONA, AND I THINK THAT'S A HUGE BOON TO YAVAPAI COUNTY IN PARTICULAR.
YAVAPAI COUNTY HAS MORE WINERIES THAN ANY COUNTY IN ALL OF ARIZONA.
RECENTLY, MY COLLEAGUES AT NEU PUT OUT A STUDY WITH THE VERDE VALLEY OR WINE CONSORTIUM TO SHOW THAT THERE'S BEEN OVER 500% GROWTH SINCE 2011 FROM THE WINE INDUSTRY.
NOW IF YOU'VE LIVED HERE A WHILE AND YOU SPENT ANY TIME IN COTTONWOOD, AND YOU REMEMBER COTTONWOOD 20 YEARS AGO, AND YOU LOOK TO COTTONWOOD TODAY, I WOULD ARGUE THEY'RE ALMOST UNRECOGNIZABLE PLACES AND I WOULD ATTRIBUTE A LOT OF THAT TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE WINE INDUSTRY.
SUPERVISOR CHECK IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS INDUSTRY.
SHE WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING DIRECTORS OF THE WINE SCIENCE CENTER THERE AT YAVAPAI COLLEGE, WHO I PARTNER WITH REGULARLY.
NOT ONLY IS IT AN ECONOMIC BOON, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE TABLE I PUT TOGETHER SOME NUMBERS SHOWING THE VALUE PER ACRE FOOT OF WINE GRAPES HERE IN ARIZONA, AND IT'S NO SMALL AMOUNT.
WINE GRAPES USE 1.3 ACRE FEET.
WHEN YOU COMPARE THAT TO ALFALFA, 6.2 ACRE FEET.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT AN ACRE FOOT IS, IT'S 325,000 GALLONS OF WATER.
THAT'S NO SMALL AMOUNT. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VALUE PER YIELD OF ALFALFA, $275 A TON, COMPARED TO THE VALUE OF A WINE GRAPE TON AT $2,600 A TON, YOU CAN SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR VALUE, WHERE WE ARE DECIDING TO USE OUR WATER, THERE'S NO COMPARISON TO WINE GRAPE, SO WHAT THEY DO FOR BOTH WATER SAVINGS AND OUR ECONOMY, I THINK ARE IMPORTANT.
WE'VE BOUGHT VARIOUS GRANT SUPPORT TO THE COUNTY.
THIS IS NOT ANYTHING THAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET.
THIS IS NOT THE 1.2 MILLION THAT WE JUST BRING IN IN SALARIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE HAD A WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM WHERE WE WERE GIVING GROWERS $1,500 AN ACRE TO CONVERT FROM LOW WATER EFFICIENCY USE LIKE FLOOD IRRIGATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO CENTER PIVOT.
WE WOULD MATCH THEM $1,500 AN ACRE UP TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS IF THEY WOULD CONVERT THEIR WATER SOURCING.
I KNOW LIKE HOUSER FARMS, FOR EXAMPLE, TOOK THAT DEAL.
WE'D DO THAT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
YAVAPAI COUNTY WAS THE NUMBER 1 PARTICIPANT IN OUR FARMER APPRENTICE PROGRAM, WHERE WE GAVE GROWERS $10,000 A SEASON FOR THEM TO SUPPORT APPRENTICES.
THOSE APPRENTICES COULD COME ON THEIR FARM AND LEARN HOW TO FARM, AND THOSE FARMERS COULD HAVE CHEAPER LABOR.
WE HAVE AZMET WEATHER STATIONS.
WE JUST PUT IN A NEW AZMET WEATHER STATION AT YAVAPAI COLLEGE CHINO VALLEY CAMPUS.
IF YOU KNOW JUSTIN BRERETON OVER THERE AT YAVAPAI COLLEGE, WONDERFUL PROGRAM. WE PARTNER WITH THEM A LOT.
HE WAS THRILLED TO HAVE THIS WEATHER STATION BECAUSE HE'S TEACHING
[03:40:01]
HIS STUDENTS HOW TO MANAGE WATER EFFECTIVELY.THESE WEATHER STATIONS ALLOW US TO CALCULATE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION WHICH TELLS US HOW MUCH WATER WE'RE LOSING, AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT IF YOU CANNOT MEASURE IT, YOU CANNOT MANAGE IT.
MY NEXT GOAL, THE NEXT WEATHER STATION IS GOING IN AT THE YC CLARKDALE CAMPUS SO THAT I CAN TEACH PEOPLE DOWN THERE ABOUT WATER MANAGEMENT.
I'M ALSO VERY EXCITED TO SAY THAT WE ARE ADDING A FULL ON COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE PROGRAM.
WE JUST DID IN JANUARY 2025, GENTLEMAN NAMED MICHAEL PIERCE CAME TO WORK FOR US THERE, AND HE'S GOING TO HANDLE COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
I JUST DO VITICULTURE, AND I DO CONSUMER HORTICULTURE.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW MICHAEL PIERCE, HE WAS A COLLEAGUE OF SUPERVISOR CHECKS THERE YAVAPAI COLLEGE, VERY WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED INDIVIDUAL.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BRING THAT TO YOU ALL.
AFTER LISTENING TO THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THAT SAT HERE, I THINK YOU GUYS WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH HOW IMPORTANT THE CATTLE INDUSTRY IS HERE IN YAPI COUNTY, $17.7 MILLION INDUSTRY FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY, ALONE, WE SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE.
IMPLICITLY, BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR STAKEHOLDERS, WE GIVE THEM SCIENCE BASED INFORMATION.
WE CONTINUE ON WITH THE THREE FORT MONITORING PROGRAM THAT GAIL STEIGER TOLD YOU ABOUT.
NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THE FOREST SERVICE HAS LOST FUNDING TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM.
THEY CANNOT SIGN AN MOU WITH US IN THE PERMES ANYMORE.
BUT WE ARE STEPPING UP TO FILL THAT GAP, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT AT LEAST IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, THAT MONITORING WILL STILL CONTINUE.
THAT MONITORING IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT RANCHERS UNDERSTAND HOW TO MANAGE THEIR RANGE, BUT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT IN BUILDING COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE PERMITES, THE FOREST SERVICE, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.
AS GAYLE TOLD YOU, YOU HEARD HIM SAY, THINGS HAVE IMPROVED ENORMOUSLY SINCE WE STARTED THAT PROGRAM.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM.
IT WON'T CONTINUE IN THE OTHER THREE FORESTS NECESSARILY, BUT IT WILL CONTINUE ON THE PRESCOTT.
BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATION, WE PROVIDE THAT ECONOMIC MAXIMIZATION.
AI, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
WE HELP OUR PRODUCERS WITH THAT.
WE HAVE COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH ROSALIE DARBY THERE AT THE COUNTY FAIR.
YAVAPAI COUNTY CATTLE GROWERS ARIZONA ASSOCIATION FOR CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.
THE FOLKS YOU JUST MET, WE HAVE OUR EXPERIMENTAL RANCH AT THE V-V AND COUNTLESS OTHER PRODUCERS.
JUST TO LOOK AT OUR FINAL NUMBERS, BY DIRECT EDUCATION THIS IS NOT EVERYONE THAT WE TOUCHED, BUT JUST THE PEOPLE I ACTUALLY SPOKE TO.
WE REACHED 18,531 RESIDENTS HERE IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WE HAVE 249 VOLUNTEERS, WHICH CONTRIBUTED ALMOST 18,000 HOURS OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
THAT IS VALUED AT ALMOST $600,000.
WE HAVE 370 YOUTH ENROLLED IN 10 4-H CLUBS.
WE DID 98 SCHOOL OUTREACH VISITS TO 2,500 STUDENTS, 114 FOOD ESTABLISHED MANAGERS COMPLETED THAT CLASS, AND 354 CHILDCARE HEALTH CONSULTATION VISITS WERE MADE.
I KNOW I'M ASKING FOR A FAIR INCREASE TODAY THAT'S UNDOUBTED.
MAYBE NOT COMPARED TO THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET, BUT FOR MY BUDGET, CERTAINLY IT IS.
WHAT I WOULD ARGUE IS THAT THAT $600,000 IS A MUCH LARGER AMOUNT THAN THE 75 I'M ASKING FOR TODAY.
WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS IF I CAN'T KEEP MY PEOPLE COMPENSATED, THAT NUMBER DROPS TREMENDOUSLY.
I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MANAGE THOSE 250 VOLUNTEERS ON MY OWN.
I THINK THERE'S A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT. I TRULY DO.
HERE AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS OUR FUNDING BREAKDOWN PREVIOUSLY.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE UNIVERSITY, THE STATE, AND THE FEDS PROVIDE ABOUT 90% OF OUR FUNDING.
THE COUNTY GRACIOUSLY AND VERY GENEROUSLY PROVIDES THE OTHER 10%.
I'M TELLING YOU, WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING, COUNTY WIDE FUNDING, IT'S ALL OVER THE BOARD THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
SOME PEOPLE ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN US.
SOME PEOPLE GET ALMOST NOTHING.
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE FUNDING WHAT WE CURRENTLY RECEIVE.
WHEN WE CALCULATED, AS YOU CAN SEE, FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, WE RETURN $6.35 BACK JUST THROUGH FED AND STATE FUNDING.
IF YOU DECIDE TO PUT IN THE VOLUNTEER HOURS OF THOSE 249 VOLUNTEERS, WE CALL THAT MORE LIKE $10.50 FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT YOU PROVIDE US.
AGAIN, I CONSIDER THAT A FAIR RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
HERE IS OUR FORMAL BUDGET REQUEST.
MANAGER THOMPSON ALREADY WENT OVER THAT,
[03:45:01]
BUT WE ARE ASKING FOR $263,885.THAT IS AN INCREASE OF $75,221, AND THAT IS VIRTUALLY SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE TO COVER THE OTHER 0.5 FTE THAT YOU ARE ALREADY COVERING, I SHOULD SAY.
THAT'S ALL I GOT. I DIDN'T HAVE A FORMAL TEMPLATE, SO I HAD TO CUT AND PASTE ONE OFF THE INTER WEB.
BUT IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.
>> WELL, I GUESS WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, AND I KNOW YOU DO A LOT.
I HAVE PARTICIPATED AND GONE OUT AND SEEN THE 4-H, AND YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT THE KIDS TALKING WITH THEM.
THEY ARE AMAZING. I'M TALKING LIKE A 5-YEAR-OLD.
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE SO IMPRESSED.
>> THESE ARE OUR LEADERS OF TOMORROW, I PROMISE.
THAT CHILD TOLD US MORE STUFF.
WE WERE LIKE, WALKED AWAY, I FEEL PRETTY EMBARRASSED.
I KNOW ALL THAT. ANYWAY, I ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE DOING, AND HOW PASSIONATE YOU ARE.
>> DEFINITELY. WE SEE IT AND WE HEAR IT.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE TIME.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR TIME.
>> I'D LIKE TO TAKE 10 MINUTE BREAK, IF THAT'S OKAY.
IS THAT OKAY? WAIT. I NEED A BREAK.
>> YEAH, I'D LIKE 10 MINUTES BREAK.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE IT REAL QUICK COMMENT [OVERLAPPING]
>> TO UPDATE YOU BEFORE WE BREAK.
IF YOU'RE FOLLOWING ALONG ON YOUR LIST, WE HAVE THE USGS MIDDLE VERDE RIVER WATERSHED DATA COLLECTION, NO ASK, AGAIN, FOR THE THIRD YEAR ROW, JUST THE HISTORY.
VERDE VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION, NO REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE, SO THEY WILL NOT BE PRESENTING.
>> BUT I'D LIKE TO PRESENT ON THEIR BEHALF JUST VERY BRIEFLY.
>> VERY GOOD. THEN WE HAVE RNL REGIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER.
JIMMY'S BACK HERE, THE COUNTY FAIR, ROSIE'S HERE AND THE FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTER AND MISSY'S, RIGHT BEHIND ME.
>> WE HAVE THREE [OVERLAPPING].
>> JUST 10 MINUTE BREAK FOLKS, AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
>> THANK YOU. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB AT YOUR NEW POSITION.
WE ARE BACK TO OUR CONTINUED BUDGET STUDY SESSION HERE AND PICKING UP IN REGARDS TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. YES. NEXT UP IS THE YARN REGIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER.
[LAUGHTER] YOU CAN SEE [LAUGHTER].
>> I TRY TO TURN IT OFF [INAUDIBLE].
>> I ASKED BEFORE THE BREAK IF I COULD BRIEFLY GO OVER.
[OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] YOU ALL OUT.
>> GIVE ME JUST LESS THAN TWO MINUTES TO SAY [OVERLAPPING].
YEAH, REALLY. [OVERLAPPING] VERDE VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION.
ONE REASON WHY I WANTED TO JUST SAY ONE THING IS THERE'S SOME PRETTY WONDERFUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE VERDE VALLEY, A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.
THAT'S NOT TRUE, BROADLY, IT'S NOT REFLECTIVE THROUGHOUT COUNTY WIDE.
I WANT TO JUST POINT TO SOME OF THE SPECIAL SAUCE INVOLVED IN THAT AND ATTRIBUTE IT TO VV RIO ONE THING THAT THEY DO.
THEY DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
BUT ONE THING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS THE REVOLVING LOAN.
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WHO CANNOT GET A LOAN OTHERWISE.
THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANYBODY MAKE BAD ON THOSE DEBTS, AND IT'S PUT SMALL BUSINESSES IN BUSINESS THAT WOULDN'T OTHERWISE BE THERE.
THEY ALSO CONNECT THEM WITH THE YAVAPAI COLLEGES SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER, SO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
THE $25,000 THAT'S IN THIS ASK IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY LARGE COMPONENT OF THEIR FULL BUDGET.
THERE I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THEIR DIRECTORS PART TIME.
THEY'RE JUST DOING A TON OF GOOD ON JUST A SHOESTRING, AND I WANTED TO JUST LET EVERYBODY KNOW.
IF YOU WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT, I THINK THAT MODEL COULD SERVE THE COUNTY BROADLY, OTHERWISE. THANK YOU.
>> MADAM CHAIR. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THEM COOPERATING, TOO, AND THAT REVOLVING LOAN IS PROBABLY VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN I WANTED TO START MY BUSINESS, WE WENT TO THE BANKS, AND A BANKER ACTUALLY TOLD ME, COME BACK WHEN YOU DON'T NEED THE MONEY.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU ANYTHING, SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT PROGRAM WORKING.
DOWNTOWN COTTONWOOD HAS GOT THE EATS, OLD TOWN.
>> I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT.
I APPRECIATE THIS ORGANIZATION, AND THE OTHER THING I REALLY APPRECIATE ABOUT THEM IS, TWO THINGS.
[03:50:02]
BUT AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD, THEY CONTINUALLY JUST ASK FOR WHAT THEY ASK FOR, AND THEY MAKE IT WORK.I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS IN THE COUNTY EVEN WITHIN OUR OWN, AS WE'VE LISTENED THE LAST THREE DAYS, OUR VERY OWN DEPARTMENT NEEDS.
>> THANK YOU, I APOLOGIZE. SUPERVISOR, I FORGOT THAT QUICKLY.
I WOULD ALSO ADD TO THAT, IF YOU LOOK AND I'M SURE YOU HAVE IN YOUR PACKETS, MANY LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR VBRO, AS WELL FROM YOUR CITY'S TOWNS IN THE CHAMBER OVER THERE, SO BROAD BASED SUPPORT.
NOW WITH THAT SAID, MOVING ON TO YARNELL REGIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER, YOU CAN SEE THE LAST TWO YEARS, THEY WERE FUNDED AT $10,000 ANNUALLY.
THEY'RE REQUESTING A $20,000 INCREASE THIS YEAR FOR A TOTAL REQUEST OF $30,000.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> JUST GOT TO SAY. [LAUGHTER] I AM.
MADAM CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND JUST TELL OUR STORY.
THIS IS PROBABLY EXTREMELY OUT OF THE ORDINARY, BUT I WANT TO BRAG ON THAT LAST ORGANIZATION, U OF A COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
AT OUR LITTLE CENTER, WE ARE REQUIRED BY NACOG TO DO NUTRITION EDUCATION TALKS EVERY SINGLE MONTH.
HALF OF THOSE ARE COVERED BY THE U OF A COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
I JUST THINK THAT'S PRETTY COOL, AND I LOVE THAT COLLABORATION.
NOW, IF ANY OF THAT TAKES MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKET, FORGET EVERYTHING I JUST SAID.
[LAUGHTER] I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP THE MONIES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE GIVEN US THE LAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP, AND WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT.
I COULD NOT BE PROUDER OF THE WORK THAT WE DO, AND YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN A PARTNER IN THAT.
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
SEVERAL OF YOU ARE ALREADY VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR STORY.
I'M SURE ALL OF YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA STORY.
LAST YEAR, WE CELEBRATED OUR 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
I FIGURED I COULD GET ONE MORE YEAR ATTRACTION OUT OF THAT PATCH RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE IN MY MIND.
WE ARE NOW IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OUR NEXT 50 YEARS, AND I THINK THAT'S PRETTY COOL.
WE JUST CONTINUE TO LOVE ON PEOPLE AND CONSTANTLY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ASSIST SENIORS IN OUR AREA.
OUR SURFACE AREA IN MY MIND IS PRETTY HUGE.
SO WILL HOYT AND SKULL VALLEY UP NORTH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CONGRESS AND NORTH RANCH, DOWN IN THE SOUTH AND PEOPLE'S VALLEY AND YARNELL.
MY PURPOSE TODAY IS FOUR FOLD.
SO FIRST, THE ASK, OBVIOUSLY, I'M HERE TO ASK FOR SOME MONEY.
ALSO, OBVIOUSLY, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU OUR STORY.
THEN I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A NEW PROGRAM, PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE AND WHAT OUR PLANS ARE WITH THAT, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THE NEED IN THAT PROCESS AS WELL.
THE ASK, RIGHT UP FRONT, WE'RE ASKING FOR $30,000 THIS YEAR.
I THINK MOST OF YOU WILL REMEMBER WE CAME FOR THE CDBG MEETINGS, AND WE ACTUALLY REQUESTED $120,000 IN THAT PROCESS.
NOW, IN MY MIND, 120 ROLLS OFF THE TONGUE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN 30, BUT $30,000 IS WHAT I SEE AS THE SEED MONEY WE NEED TO GET THIS NEW PROGRAM GOING.
TWO YEARS AGO, I CAME TO YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT OUR MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM AND EXPLAINED TO YOU THE IMPACT AND THE DIFFERENCE WE'RE MAKING THERE.
IT'S WHAT WE CALL MORE THAN A MEAL.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT WITH THIS NEW PROGRAM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING AS WELL.
BUT IT'S MUCH MORE THAN JUST TAKING CARE OF FILLING THEIR BELLIES.
IT'S EVEN MORE THAN THE LIFE SUSTAINING NUTRITION THAT THEY GET FROM US DELIVERING MEALS.
IT'S THE WELLNESS CHECKS, BIG PART OF THAT.
I'M SURE THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH THAT AND MAYBE EVEN HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT YOU COULD TELL YOUR OWN STORIES.
THEN LAST YEAR, BEFORE I MOVE ON, REAL QUICK, OUR LITTLE KITCHEN DOES OVER 20,000 MEALS A YEAR.
MOST OF THOSE DELIVERED, AND THE REST OF THEM IN THE DINING ROOM.
BUT WE ONLY HAVE THREE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THERE, AND ONE OF THEM IS DOING THE DISHES MOST OF THE TIME.
THE MANAGER, ASSISTANT KITCHEN MANAGER, 20,000 MEALS A YEAR THAT WE DELIVER.
LAST YEAR I TALKED ABOUT A NEW PROGRAM, OUR PET CARE THAT WE DO FOR OUR MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS.
THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA, FUNDING,
[03:55:04]
OUR CLIENTS DON'T HAVE TO DECIDE BETWEEN FEEDING THEMSELVES AND FEEDING THEIR PETS.EVEN WHEN I SAY IT, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE LIVING IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT IS VERY.
I THINK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THESE COMPANIONS ARE FOR THE MOST ISOLATED, IT GETS ME EMOTIONAL.
I SAW THAT REFLECTED IN YOUR EYES AS WELL LAST YEAR.
THE LITTLE LADY ON THE TOP LEFT THERE, HER NAME IS JACKIE.
THIS IS MY WIFE BEHIND ME, AND SHE'S A MEALS ON WHEELS DRIVER, AND WE WOULD GO AND WE'D DELIVER TO HER, AND SHE WOULD HAND EACH OF US ONE OF THESE LITTLE TEACUP CHIHUAHUAS, AND THEN SHE WOULD MAKE A SWAP BEFORE WE LEFT.
BUT THE SHORT TIME WE SPENT WITH HER AND ALLOWING HER TO JUST TALK ABOUT HER DOGS WAS HUGE.
IT WAS HER LIFE, YOU COULD TELL.
EVERY SINGLE WEEK WE WOULD GO THERE.
SHE WOULD TELL US THE SAME STORIES OVER AND OVER, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.
SHE DID PASS AWAY THIS LAST YEAR.
I CANNOT OVERSTATE HOW IMPORTANT THE IMPACT HAS BEEN WITH THIS NEW PROGRAM.
MEALS AND WHEELS AMERICA HELPS US PAY FOR THAT.
THIS YEAR, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A NEW PROGRAM, PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE.
THIS NEW PILOT PROGRAM WILL HELP MEET THE NEEDS THAT NACOG AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FIND TOO OVERWHELMING.
NACOG CONTINUES TO DO AN AMAZING JOB, AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO MORE WITH LESS.
IF YOU KNOW MUCH OF THEIR STORY AND THEIR CURRENT SITUATION, THEY ARE DOING MORE WITH LESS.
I JUST RETURNED LAST MONTH FROM A NACOG PROVIDER MEETING IN FLAGSTAFF, AND THE DIRECTOR BRANDON BAXTER MADE A STATEMENT THAT REALLY STUCK WITH ME.
IF WE CAN GET THEM IN THE NACOG SYSTEM, IT COSTS US ABOUT $3,000 PER PERSON ON AVERAGE FOR ANY AND ALL ASSISTANCE.
THE REST COSTS THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES AROUND $37,000 PER PERSON.
THAT'S 12 FOLD IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THE NACOG SYSTEM.
IT REALLY DRIVES HOME THE DIFFERENCE WE ARE MAKING WITH THIS NEW PROGRAM.
WE THINK IN TERMS OF THE LOCAL IMPACT ON OUR FOLKS, THAT'S OUR CONTEXT, BUT THIS PROVIDES GREAT PERSPECTIVE ON THE FINANCIAL LOAD FOR OUTSIDE AGENCIES, AND THE RELIEF WE WILL BE ASSISTING WITH.
P4P WOULD PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT LED BY A RETIRED MASTERS AND SOCIAL WORK LEADER.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND SIMPLE REPAIRS TO HELP MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE.
NINE MONTHS AGO, YES, WE'VE BEEN BRAINSTORMING AND ENLISTING AND TRAINING AND ENCOURAGING FOR THAT LONG ALREADY.
I NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED THAT WE'D BE THIS FAR ALONG.
WE ALREADY HAVE MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE ON THE EMOTIONAL SPORTS SIDE, VOLUNTEERS, AND MORE THAN 10 FOLKS SKILLED LABOR THAT CAN HELP ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE.
ALL IN ALL, WE HAVE ABOUT 25 PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY LEANING IN TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS JUST A COUPLE OF SLIDES TO JUST GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE STUFF THAT WE CAN DO.
ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, THAT'S A 20 FOOT TRAILER THERE THAT WAS LOADED FIVE OR SIX FEET HIGH.
EVERYTHING THAT WAS PUT IN THERE WAS IN THE FRONT COURTYARD OF ONE OF THE HOUSES THAT WE DELIVERED TO.
BAGS OF GARBAGE THAT HAD BEEN THERE FOR MONTHS, STUFF LIKE ADULT DIAPERS, AND EVERYTHING, YOU CAN FILL IN THE BLANK WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.
ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE WOULD GET INTO THAT.
OUR DRIVERS WOULD HAVE TO WADE THROUGH THAT JUST TO GET TO THE DOOR IN ORDER TO HAND THEM THAT MEAL. THAT'S THAT PICTURE.
THAT'S KIND OF A TOUGH STORY TO SAY OUT LOUD, BUT THAT IS THE TRUTH OF THE STUFF WE'RE DEALING WITH.
THE LEFT JUST SHOWS YOU 2055 GALLON BAGS OF LEAVES.
WE'RE ALSO HELPING WITH FIREWISE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE TO SPEAK.
THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING ON THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SIDE IS IMPORTANT, BUT THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SIDE, I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
WE CAN DO MINIMAL WORK WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE HELP.
BUT WITH JUST A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS, THIS REALLY COULD BE A BENCHMARK FOR CENTERS AND COMMUNITIES LITERALLY AROUND THE NATION, AND THAT SOUNDS PRETTY GRANDIOSE TO SAY, I KNOW THAT.
BUT ON A SIDE NOTE, AND I THINK APPROPRIATE TO THIS CONVERSATION, OUR PET CARE PROGRAM THAT I BROUGHT TO YOU LAST YEAR, AND I JUST SPOKE ABOUT EARLY LAST YEAR, MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA LEADERSHIP AND PETSMART CHARITIES SENT OUT THEIR TOP BRASS TO HEAR OUR STORY.
WE ARE SETTING THE STANDARD, AND I HAVE LED A MULTI-STATE COHORT,
[04:00:02]
I CAN'T SAY THIS WORD, COHORT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, OF OTHER DIRECTORS AS PART OF THAT PROGRAM.I DON'T STATE THAT TO IMPRESS YOU, MAYBE A LITTLE, BUT TO IMPRESS UPON YOU THAT THE MONIES THAT WE GET ARE NOT SPENT FRIVOLOUSLY.
GREAT STEWARDSHIP LEADS TO LITERALLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE AT A MINIMUM AND ULTIMATELY SAVING LIVES IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
I'M GOING TO GO A LITTLE BIT OFF SCRIPT.
I KNOW THAT MAKES MY WIFE NERVOUS, SO HONEY, IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.
WHEN WE DO OUR BUDGETS, WE'RE VERY CONSERVATIVE ON THE INCOME SIDE.
I KNOW YOU GUYS PROBABLY OPERATE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AND MORE HEALTHY ON OUR EXPENSE ESTIMATES.
WE THINK THAT'S A VERY HEALTHY WAY TO OPERATE.
I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE TWO MONTHS OF RESERVE FUNDS SET ASIDE FOR BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
I THINK THAT'S VERY WISE AS WELL.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE WE'RE AT FINANCIALLY. THIS IS 2024.
THE BIG GREEN SLICE OF THAT PIE PROGRAMS, MOST OF THAT MONEY DOES COME FROM NACOG.
WHEN I CAME TO YOU LAST YEAR AND SPOKE, I HAD PLANNED ON, WE HAD FIGURED THAT WE'D GET ABOUT $122,000, WHICH IS WHAT WE GOT THE YEAR BEFORE.
THAT ENDED UP BEING REDUCED TO $107,000.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EVEN MORE, BUT MORE MONIES DID TRICKLE DOWN, AND SO WE ONLY LOST $15,000 THERE.
ON THE ORANGE PIE THERE, THE FUND RAISING.
I LOVE THIS PART OF THE STORY.
THAT'S OUR LITTLE THRIFT STORE.
FOR OUR LITTLE TOWN TO BRING IN $75,000 JUST WITH DONATIONS THAT COME IN FROM THE COMMUNITY OF 550 PEOPLE AND PEOPLE SHOWING UP AND BUYING STUFF.
I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE'RE DOING OUR PART TO HELP BUY GROCERIES TO DELIVER MEALS.
THE YELLOW PIE THERE, THE GRANTS, THE $65,000.
THE GRANT WORLD IS NOT A WORLD I LIKE TO LIVE IN.
FOUR YEARS AGO, I STEPPED INTO THIS WORLD, HAD NEVER DEALT WITH IT BEFORE.
YOU ASK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, AND YOU STILL, YOU JUST HAVE TO GO WITH WHAT YOU CAN GET.
THAT IS IN PART WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
ON THE EXPENSE SIDE, OUR BIGGEST EXPENSES IS PAYROLL.
WE HAVE TEN PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE.
I'M THE ONLY FULL TIME EMPLOYEE.
NINE PART TIMERS. YOU CAN DO THE MATH.
THAT'S ABOUT $18,000 A LITTLE BIT LESS PER EMPLOYEE THAT HELPS US DO WHAT WE DO.
THE FOOD AND FOOD SUPPLY SIDE THERE, $92,000.
WE BUY GROCERIES, WE MAKE FOOD, WE DELIVER FOOD.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST SLICE OF THAT PIE.
OUR MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAMS, WE DID BUMP THAT DOWN TO 150 IN LINE WITH WHAT WE GOT LAST YEAR.
WE DID HERE AT THE NACOG CONFERENCE THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE FLAT LINED THIS YEAR, SO WE'RE NOT EXPECTING MORE FUNDS THERE.
OUR THRIFT STORE BUMPED THAT UP JUST A TINY BIT TO 75, AND THEN GRANTS, WE KEPT THAT THE SAME.
FOR THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN THE DIRECTOR AT OUR CENTER, THAT'S ROUGHLY GIVE OR TAKE WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING IN.
I DO WANT TO ADD SOMETHING REAL QUICK HERE, BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, CHAIR, THAT YOU LIKED KNOWING THAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE GOING OUTSIDE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO TRY TO GET FUNDS.
WE HAVE ALREADY PUT IN FOR GRANTS THROUGH THE DIAMONDBACKS, HEIL RIVER, ACF, AND DEL WEBB.
WE HAVE PLANS TO PUT IN FOR GRANTS WITH UNITED WAY AND FREEPORT-MCMORAN.
THE ONLY TWO THERE THAT I'M VERY CONFIDENT ON IS ACF.
WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP THERE, AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB WORKING WITH US.
THEN FREEPORT-MCMORAN HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.
THEY HAVE TWO GRANTS, ONE OF THE M'S IN HOUSE, AND YOU CAN GET $10,000.
THEY SAY JUST UNDER, SO WE ASK FOR 9,999.
WE'VE GOT THAT THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THEY ALSO HAVE A GRANT THAT GOES OUTSIDE OF THEIR LOCALE, AND WE CAN ASK FOR MORE MONIES.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO TRY FOR MORE MONIES.
IF WE DON'T GET THAT GRANT, WE CAN GO BACK AND ASK FOR THAT $10,000.
THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE WE'LL GET THAT.
I JUST WANTED YOU GUYS TO KNOW WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.
WE'RE NOT JUST COMING HERE WITH OUR HANDOUT, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
ON THE EXPENSE SIDE HERE, OUR PAY ROLL GOT BUMPED UP JUST A LITTLE. WE CONTINUE.
I LIKE THE TRYING TO DO MORE WITH LESS PHRASE,
[04:05:02]
BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY WE'RE TRYING TO DO MORE WITH THE SAME.THE PEOPLE WE HAVE ON STAFF RIGHT NOW ARE INCREDIBLE FOLKS.
IT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE IN OUR LITTLE TOWN THAT WE HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT WE DO.
OUR BOOKKEEPER ACCOUNTANT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST.
OUR MEALS ON WHEELS COORDINATOR, ABSOLUTELY THE BEST.
WE JUST HAVE A REALLY GOOD TEAM.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN TELL I'M REALLY EXCITED BRAGGING ON THEM.
FOOD AND FOOD SUPPLY, GROCERIES AND PACKAGING, THAT CONTINUES TO GET BUMPED UP A LITTLE BIT, OBVIOUSLY INFLATION AND THEN TRYING TO DO MORE.
THAT IS RIGHT IN LINE. THE ONE THAT TOOK A BIG JUMP THIS YEAR WAS INSURANCE.
IF YOU LOOK UP THERE, THAT, I GUESS, DULL ARMY GREEN SLICE, $13,000.
IN OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY OF YARNELL, AND YOU GUYS PROBABLY GET THIS, THE FIRE OF 2013, THAT STILL STICKS IN EVERYBODY'S MIND THAT DEALS WITH INSURANCE.
THIS YEAR, WE STRUGGLED TO GET PROPERTY INSURANCE.
THAT'S HOW TOUGH IT IS IN OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY.
ON A SCALE OF 100, WE RATE ABOUT A 95.
MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES WON'T EVEN TAKE A SECOND LOOK.
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WE GOT THAT INSURANCE ON THE VERY LAST DAY OF OUR PREVIOUS POLICY EXPIRING.
THAT GIVES YOU A SNAPSHOT OF WHERE WE'RE AT FINANCIALLY.
FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE FINISHED IN THE BLACK EVERY YEAR, AND THAT'S VERY EXCITING TO ME.
LAST YEAR WAS LITTLE BIT OF A STRUGGLE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
THIS LAST YEAR, WE HAD A FUNDRAISER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE CALL IT THE STONE SOUP CAMPAIGN, AND THERE'S A STORY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, EUROPEAN FABLE.
YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THAT, BUT WE JUST ASKED PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES TO BRING WHATEVER THEY COULD, AND THEY DID.
WE CAME UP WITH $21,000 TO HELP US IN THE YEAR IN THE BLACK.
I THINK THAT'S SUPER EXCITING.
IT ALSO SPEAKS TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, UNDERSTANDING HOW IMPORTANT THE WORK THAT WE DO IS.
WE HAVE 60 VOLUNTEERS OUT OF 550 PEOPLE.
THAT GIVES YOU PERSPECTIVE WELL. MOVING RIGHT ALONG.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE LOST 30 CLIENTS.
WE'VE HAD 30 CLIENTS PASS AWAY.
WE HAVE HELPED THEM LIVE MORE COMFORTABLY DURING THE LAST SEASON OF THEIR LIVES.
THE CAPAS AMONG US KNOW THAT WE FIND THIS CARE CRITICAL.
MANY TIMES WE SAY OUR OWN PARENTS AND FAMILY IN THAT STORY.
MY DAD PASSED AWAY 2.5 YEARS AGO, SO SHE LIVES WITH US.
BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT AVAILABLE.
THEY EITHER DON'T HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF THEM, AND THAT'S A REALLY TOUGH STORY, OR SOME OF THEM DON'T HAVE FAMILY AT ALL, SO THEY BECOME OUR FAMILY.
THEY REALLY ARE MORE THAN THAT.
IT'S MOSTLY COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS THAT MAKE THIS HAPPEN OR WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN. WHY ARE WE DOING IT? IT'S BECAUSE WE CARE, AND WE'RE NOT WILLING TO JUST WALK BY A PROBLEM THAT WE SEE, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH.
THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WE'RE ADDRESSING WITH THIS FUNDING REQUEST IS COMBATING THE LONELINESS AND ISOLATION IN OUR VERY RURAL AREA THROUGH AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM.
AS PART OF OUR GRANT WRITING AND SUBMISSIONS OVER THIS LAST YEAR, I CAME ACROSS A FACT THAT PUT THE ISOLATION IN PERSPECTIVE.
THIS IS FROM THE US SURGEON GENERAL.
>> SOCIAL ISOLATION IS OFTEN COMPARED TO THE HEALTH EFFECTS AND MORTALITY OF SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY.
WHEN I HEARD THAT, I JUST COULDN'T WRAP MY MIND AROUND THAT, BUT THE ISOLATION, THE EFFECTS OF IT, THE MORTALITY OF SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY.
THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS APPROACH TO COMMUNITY SERVICES IS LEVERAGING A TRAINED VOLUNTEER FORCE TO MEET NEEDS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD GO UNMET AND WOULD BE EXTREMELY COSTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT OR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ALREADY STRUGGLE TO EAT OR TO PAY BILLS.
IN MY FOUR PLUS YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN AT THE CENTER, I HAVE SEEN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO FIGHT THE FOOD INSECURITY.
WHAT'S LESS OBVIOUS IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE LONELINESS AND ISOLATION IS AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM.
PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR CRITICAL MISSION, CARING FOR SENIORS.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS.
>> FIRST, JIMMY, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
[04:10:01]
IT'S JUST AMAZING WHEN YOU GO OUT THERE.I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS EXISTED UNTIL I RAN FOR OFFICE.
THE LONELINESS OF THE PEOPLE AND WHAT YOU BRING TO THEIR LIVES IS JUST TRULY REMARKABLE, AND I JUST THANK YOU FOR THAT.
OF COURSE, THE POT ROAST LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH, I ALWAYS HAVE THAT.
THAT'S FABULOUS. BUT THE NEED IS CRITICAL.
IT'S MUCH LARGER THAN YOU THINK. IT IS YARNELL.
AMOUNT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE IN THE SITUATION THAT HE'S DISCUSSING.
AS I SAID, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTED, AND THAT'S A SHAME ON MY PART. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT.
YOU DO GREAT WORK, AND YOU KNOW I SUPPORT YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> WHEN I WAS ON PRESCOTT CITY COUNCIL, WE DID RIDE-ALONGS WITH MEALS ON WHEELS.
SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE ONLY PEOPLE THEY SEE THAT DAY.
OFF THOSE 30 PEOPLE THAT PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR, I WONDER HOW MANY OF YOU GUYS FOUND THEM.
THE MAYOR TOOK A PICTURE WITH ONE GENTLEMAN, AND HE PASSED AWAY THE NEXT DAY.
YOU GUYS PUT YOUR HEARTS INTO IT, AND IT'S REALLY HARD.
I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MANY CIGARETTES A DAY THAT IS.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CHIHUAHUA LADY, YOUR WIFE IS CRYING BEHIND YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT INFORMATION.
I THINK IT SUBSTANTIATES NOT ONLY THE NEED IN YARNELL, BUT THESE ARE THE SAME NEEDS THAT EXIST ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ALL, THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
AS THE NACOG REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BOARD, I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THE MEETING THAT I WENT TO.
BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DOES HAVE IMPLICATIONS WITH HOW THE FEDERAL BUDGET SHAPES UP.
THE THREE BUDGET CUTS THAT WERE PREVIEWED, IF THOSE MOVE FORWARD, THE WAYS THAT THEY WOULD IMPACT NACOG IN PARTICULAR COULD BE ONE OF TWO WAYS.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO EITHER REDUCE SERVICES ACROSS THE BOARD BY 35%, OR THEY'D HAVE TO SPECIFICALLY GO IN AND REMOVE PROGRAMS OR SHIFT DOLLARS AROUND.
I WAS HOPING TO SEE AN ITEM THAT WAS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF SUPPORTING MEALS ON WHEELS AT A BROADER SCALE BECAUSE I WENT AND DUG UP INFORMATION FROM THE SEDONA COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE VERDE VALLEY SENIOR CENTER, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE WAIT LISTS, BOTH OF WHICH SERVE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THEIR BOUNDARIES, AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING REIMBURSED THROUGH THEIR MUNICIPALITIES FOR THOSE.
>> SUPERVISOR CHECK, THANK YOU.
I WAS GETTING READY TO GIVE THE BOARD AND JIMMY AN UPDATE.
SET THE STAGE HERE FOR THAT UPDATE BY REMINDING YOU ALL THAT JIMMY CAME BEFORE US AND MADE A REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS.
THAT WASN'T INCLUDED IN OUR ALLOCATIONS OF THOSE DOLLARS THIS YEAR.
BUT AT THE TIME, I HAD MADE SOME STATEMENT ABOUT MY OPINION NEEDING TO DO, JUST AS SUPERVISOR CHECK SUGGESTED, A MORE HOLISTIC LOOK AT THIS HISTORY AROUND THE COUNTY.
I'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH BRANDON BAXTER FROM NACOG ABOUT THE EXTENT OF DATA THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE TO US.
BRANDON AND I CURRENTLY HAVE A TELEPHONE CALL SCHEDULED TO START WORKING THROUGH THAT AND SHAPING THAT STUDY SESSION FOR THE BOARD TO TALK ABOUT THIS LARGER ISSUE.
HOWEVER, I WAS STILL STRUGGLING WITH, THEY CAN PROVIDE US THE INFORMATION ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS, BUT HOW DO YOU GET TO THOSE OTHER SMALLER FOOD PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY? HOW DO WE BEGIN TO IDENTIFY WHERE THOSE ARE? OUR GOOD FRIEND DARLA DEVILLE RECENTLY HEARD ME TALKING ON THIS TOPIC AND BROUGHT ME THIS FOLDER JUST THIS WEEK.
THE CORNUCOPIA COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, WHO I UNDERSTAND ARE NOT AROUND ANYMORE, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THEM, IN 2019 DID JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR, A COMPLETE INVENTORY OF ALL FOOD PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
I PLAN TO HAVE STAFF START, THERE'S CONTACT INFORMATION FROM EACH OF THESE, CONTACTING THEM TO SEE WHO'S STILL IN BUSINESS AND STILL OPERATING.
I THINK WE NOW HAVE A WAY TO GET AT THAT LARGER LIST.
WE WILL BE SCHEDULING A STUDY SESSION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO TALK ABOUT THIS LARGER ISSUE OF OTHER NEEDS ACROSS THE COUNTY.
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY STUDY SESSIONS WE CAN HAVE IN THE NEXT MONTH.
I APPRECIATE THE DESIRE TO UNDERSTAND IT REALLY COMPREHENSIVELY.
HOWEVER, WE ALREADY HAVE PROVIDERS THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED THESE SERVICES BY NACOG.
[04:15:05]
WE ALREADY KNOW THOSE NUMBERS, AND WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE LIKELY NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BETWEEN NOW AND WHENEVER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET COMES TOGETHER.>> CHAIR, CAN I ADD SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES?
>> I'M A HUGE FAN OF EVERY SINGLE CENTER AND WHAT THEY DO.
EVERY CENTER, THE CONTEXT IS SO DIFFERENT IN EVERY PLACE.
I WILL TELL YOU, THE DIRECTORS AND THE VOLUNTEERS POUR THEMSELVES OUT IN WHAT THEY DO.
BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OF THE LARGER CENTERS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY THAT HAVE BUDGETS OF $1 MILLION.
I KNOW ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR GETS 70% OF THEIR FUNDING FROM TAX CREDITS.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORK VERY HARD TO GET FUNDING.
70% OF THEIR BUDGET IS ALREADY COVERED FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO MENTION NAMES, BUT OUR LITTLE CENTER HAS TO WORK A LITTLE HARDER, AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE SAME ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, GROCERY STORES AROUND US TO TRY TO SAVE MONEY WHERE WE CAN.
I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS.
I REALLY DO, BUT I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT.
THOUGH, THE OTHER THING I'D LIKE TO SAY, VICE CHAIR, I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION EITHER IN YARNELL.
I REMEMBER WHEN YOU VERY FIRST CAME TO THE BOARD AND YOU HAD LOST A SUBSTANTIAL DONATOR.
THAT'S HOW YOU CAME HERE TO US.
WHEN YOU PRESENT AND YOU TALK, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE, BUT I CAN FEEL THE PASSION AND THE DESIRE AND WHAT GOES ON.
I JUST SO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS FOR THE PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL.
I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT.
>> WHERE DO YOU GUYS GO FOR GROCERIES? YOU GO TO PRESCOTT OR WICKENBURG?
>> SHAMROCK DELIVERS, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN.
THERE'S A LITTLE SCHOOL THERE, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND THEY COME THERE AS WELL.
WE'VE RESEARCHED AND LOOKED INTO TRYING TO GO OTHER PLACES, BUT PRESCOTT AND WICKENBURG ARE THE ONLY OPTIONS.
WHEN YOU START FACTORING IN EVERYTHING ELSE, THERE REALLY ISN'T ANY SAVINGS.
>> THERE IS A GUY THAT'S GOT A OUTFIT CALLED REAL HOPE, AND HE GOES ALL OVER THE COUNTY.
YOU FILL UP HIS GAS TANK AND HE COMES UP AND GIVES IT TO YOU.
YOU MIGHT REACH OUT TO HIM AS WELL.
>> IF YOU HAVE A CONTACT, I WOULD LOVE THAT.
>> I HAVE HIS NUMBER. I'LL GET IT YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. NICE TO SEE YOUR WIFE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, REALLY.
>> APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE TODAY.
>> CHAIR, NEXT UP WE HAVE THE YAVAPAI COUNTY FAIR.
YOU'LL NOTE THAT THIS YEAR THEY RECEIVED $25,000 IN SUPPORT.
THEY'RE REQUESTING $100,000 FOR THIS COMING YEAR.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR AND BOARD.
IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK HERE AGAIN AS MANY YEARS.
YES, WE ARE REQUESTING WHAT IT IS AS OUR STATE STATUTE DOES SAY THAT THE COUNTY SUPPORTS THE COUNTY FAIR FOR $100,000.
JUST CLARIFY THAT A LITTLE BIT.
TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND, WE ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING COUNTY FAIR IN NORTHERN ARIZONA.
WE ACTUALLY STARTED AS THE ORIGINAL NORTHERN ARIZONA STATE FAIR.
JUST LIKE THERE WAS THE FIRST CAPITAL IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, WE WERE THE FIRST STATE FAIR.
IT'S GRAVITATED AND IT HAS GROWN AND IT HAS CHANGED IMMENSELY.
WE ARE BACK AT THE ORIGINAL HOME SITE OF THE YAVAPAI COUNTY FAIR, WHERE SEVERAL YEARS AGO IT WAS DECIDED TO MOVE OUT IN THE FYE RANCH AREA, AND THAT FAILED A LITTLE BIT WITH RACE HORSING AND THINGS.
IT MOVED TO PRESCOTT VALLEY FOR A FEW YEARS.
THEN IN 2013 WHEN MYSELF AND SEVERAL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS STEPPED UP INTO THIS BOARD IS WHEN WE MOVED IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL FAIRGROUNDS THAT IT WAS ORIGINATED AT.
WE ARE A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION.
[04:20:01]
WHICH IS MYSELF, AND WE PUT TOGETHER THE COUNTY FAIR.THE THING THAT DENOTES US FOR OUR VERDE VALLEY PEOPLE FROM THE VERDE VALLEY FAIR IS WE ARE THE COUNTY FAIR.
THE VERDE VALLEY FAIR IS A GREAT FAIR.
HOWEVER, IT IS A PRIVATE FAIR.
YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN VERDE VALLEY TO PARTICIPATE, AND IT IS ONLY FOR THAT AREA.
THEY DO A GREAT JOB, AND WE WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH THEM.
HOWEVER, OUR FAIR DOES SERVE THE ENTIRE COUNTY, AND SEVERAL OF THE VERDE VALLEY RESIDENTS DO COME AND SHOW AN EXHIBIT AT OUR FAIR BECAUSE IT IS TRULY THE COUNTY FAIR.
THEY'RE CURRENTLY GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND THAT IS WHERE PRIMARILY THE VERDE VALLEY RESIDENTS DO PARTICIPATE.
JUST IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REALLY BOND THAT EVEN TIGHTER TOGETHER.
I'VE WORKED WITH VERDE VALLEY FAIR FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN THAT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT THERE, AND WE ACTUALLY OWN EQUIPMENT AND SHARE LIKE AND LIKES TOGETHER.
HOWEVER, THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US, IS THAT MIKE, MY SON, CANNOT GO SHOW AT THE VERDE VALLEY FAIR BECAUSE HE LIVES IN PAULDEN, BUT VERDE VALLEY RESIDENTS CAN COME AND SHOW AT OURS.
THAT'S JUST THE DIFFERENCE AND THAT'S BEEN ASKED PREVIOUSLY.
WE HAVE A GREAT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND RELATIONSHIP WITH MANY ORGANIZATIONS, AND WE WORK HARD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT AS AN ORGANIZATION, WHEN WE NEED SUPPORT FROM PARKING, DIFFERENT TRASH, ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I CAN USE FOR SUPPORT, THE FIRST THING I DO IS REACH OUT TO A LOT OF OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, TRYING TO GIVE BACK TO THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TO KEEP IT LOCAL AND TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE.
WE WORK TIRELESSLY TO KEEP THE COST DOWN.
A FAMILY OF FOUR CAN COME TO THE FAIR FOR LESS THAN $40.
THEY CAN ENJOY THE ENTIRE DAY. THEY CAN COME.
THEY CAN SEE THE ANIMALS, THEY CAN SEE THE EXHIBITS, THEY CAN ENJOY THE ENTERTAINMENT, AND THEY CAN DO EVERYTHING.
WE EVEN ALLOW THEM TO BRING A COOLER FOOD IN IF THEY WOULD LIKE SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PURCHASE THE HIGHER INFLATED FAIR FOOD PRICES.
WE ALSO ASK THAT OUR FOOD VENDORS PROVIDE A VALUE ITEM EVERY DAY SO THAT THERE IS ONE ITEM THAT IS A LITTLE LOWER COST ITEM FOR FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD.
THEY CAN COME AND ENJOY ALL OF THAT FOR THAT $40.
NOW, IF THEY WANT THE CARNIVAL, OBVIOUSLY, IT COSTS MORE, BUT UNLIKE MANY OF OUR OTHER COUNTIES, OUR CARNIVAL PRICES ARE VERY REASONABLE.
IN TURN, WE BRING A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE OF OUR COUNTY TO THE FAIR BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THEY CAN COME AND BUY A LOW PRICE TICKET, CAN STAY.
THEY ENJOY THE COOLER WEATHER AND OUR CARNIVAL ALL DAY WRISTBAND IS $40 COMPARED TO MARICOPA, WHICH IS 75. I WON'T LIE.
MY SON SHOWED AT THE ARIZONA STATE FAIR THIS YEAR, AND HE GOT TO RIDE ONE RIDE BECAUSE HIS CHEAP MOTHER SAID, "I'M NOT PAYING $120 FOR A WRISTBAND.
YOU CAN RIDE AT THE COUNTY FAIR." HE PICKED ONE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT FLYING WITH ME. THAT'S WHY WE DO THAT.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES REALLY HARD AND WORK DILIGENTLY THERE, AS WELL AS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTERTAINMENT IS INCLUSIVE TO EVERY PERSON THAT WANTS TO COME.
A COUPLE YEARS INTO THE MANAGEMENT AS I WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FAIR THERE WAS SOME PEOPLE TALKING BEHIND ME AND THEY SAID, "WELL, WE CAN TELL WHAT THAT PERSON THAT PUTS THIS PLACE ON LIKES." I LOGGED BACK SO I COULD HEAR.
YES, AS I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, ALL OF THE MUSIC WAS COUNTRY MUSIC BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I LIKED.
I DIDN'T DO IT INTENTIONALLY, BUT THAT'S WHAT I GRAVITATED TOWARDS.
WE HAVE A HISPANIC NIGHT, WHERE WE HAVE HISPANIC MUSIC, AND DON'T ASK ME TO TELL ME THE NAME OF THE BANDS BECAUSE I CAN'T SAY THEM, BUT THEY'RE TRUE HISPANIC BANDS AND IT BRINGS OUT PEOPLE.
THEN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, WE HAVE MORE OF THE ROCK.
WE'VE GOT THE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC, WE HAVE COUNTRY MUSIC.
WE'VE TRIED EVERYTHING IN THERE.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING BACK SOME OF THE PIE EATING CONTEST AND SOME STUFF LIKE THAT.
CHRIS, I'LL HAVE A TABLE SET FOR YOU RIGHT THERE WITH YOUR PIE. YOU GOT IT.
>> YOU COME TO THE FAIR EVERY YEAR.
I SEE YOU. THAT IS THE THING IT IS.
WE DO HAVE A COOPERATIVE THING.
YOU SAW MANY PICTURES OF THE FAIR IN THE U OF A'S SLIDE.
ALL OF THOSE KIDS ARE EXHIBITING, THOSE WERE PICTURES FROM THE COUNTY FAIR.
WE HAVE GROWN FROM 20-30 KIDS EXHIBITING TO OVER 250 KIDS LAST YEAR IN JUST THE LIVESTOCK ALONE.
OUR ENTRIES IN THE STILLS, WHICH STILLS IS LIKE YOUR HOME EC AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY, WE HAVE AS MANY AS YUMA COUNTY FAIR.
MANY OF OUR OTHER COUNTIES ACROSS THE NATION ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP ENTRIES IN ON THOSE TRUE HOME CRAFTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT IS A THING THAT MAKES A LOT OF THEM PUZZLE.
THEY'RE LIKE, "HEY, YOU'RE SMALLER.
HOW DO YOU HAVE AS MANY ENTRIES?" A LOT OF IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS,
[04:25:02]
BUT WE DO PUSH IT AND WE WORK HARD TO PUSH IT OUT THERE.WE'VE GRAVITATED TO GET SOME OF THE NEWER CRAFTS OF THE TRADE, FROM 3D PRINTING TO SIMULATION TO RECOGNIZING THAT CELL PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY IS STILL PHOTOGRAPHY.
A LOT OF THAT IS ADAPTING TO THE WAYS THAT THEY ARE TODAY.
THE OTHER THING IS PROVIDING A TOUR THAT IS FRIENDLY TO OUR YOUTH.
IT'S GOT QR CODES AND THEY CAN GO THROUGH THERE.
ON THURSDAY, WE HAD OVER 1,500 KIDS COME FROM ALL OF THE COUNTY FOR SCHOOL TOURS.
THESE KIDS CAN COME, THE SCHOOL COMES.
THEY GET A FREE TOUR, WHICH IS AN EDUCATIONAL TOUR OF THE FAIR.
IT ISN'T JUST, DO YOU WANT TO PET A PIG? IT IS, DID YOU KNOW WHERE LIPSTICK COMES FROM? FROM PIG HOOFS. THEY CAN GO AND GROSS AND BE DISGUSTED, AND THAT'S OKAY, BUT WE GIVE THEM A SCRIPT TO FIND ALL THOSE UNIQUE THINGS.
TO GOING UP INTO THE PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AND ASKING THEM, WHAT PART OF AGRICULTURE IS IN PHOTOGRAPHY? THEY'RE LIKE, NOTHING. WE'RE LIKE, YES, IT IS.
EVERY ASPECT OF IT, EVEN DOWN TO THE MAGICIAN.
WHEN HE'S PERFORMING, HE HAS TO GIVE ME AN AGRICULTURAL FACT BEHIND THERE.
THEY GET A LITTLE ELEMENT OF ALL OF THE ENTERTAINMENT.
I GIVE THEM JUST A LITTLE TASTE, JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM GO HOME AND TELL MOM AND DAD THEY WANT TO COME BACK, WHICH THAT'S THE PLOY.
BUT THAT'S OKAY. THEY GET TO HAVE THAT PLOY. THEY GO THROUGH THERE.
WE PROVIDE A PLACE FOR THEM TO HAVE LUNCH WITH THEIR KIDS.
THEY BRING THEIR SCHOOL LUNCHES IN AND THEY'RE IN AND OUT.
TO SEE SOME OF THE COMMENTS BACK FROM THE KIDS FROM THAT TIME IS INCREDIBLE.
THE COUNTY FAIR IS DEAR TO MY HEART, ALONG WITH YOUTH LIVESTOCK.
>> I DON'T DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE MONEY.
I DO THIS BECAUSE OF MY ABSOLUTE HEART AND SOUL.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WHEN WE WERE FACED TO NOT HAVE A COUNTY.
MY COMMENT WAS, WHAT IS A COUNTY WITHOUT A COUNTY FAIR? IS THAT LIKE A FAMILY WITHOUT A DINNER TABLE? IT IS, BECAUSE OUR COUNTY FAIR IS NOT ABOUT CARNIVAL RIDES.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE STAGE.
IT'S ABOUT THAT TIME THAT WE COME TOGETHER AS A COUNTY AND CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SMALL TO THE LARGE OF OUR COUNTY.
THAT IS WHAT IT WAS INTENDED AND WHY IT WAS STARTED HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO, AND THAT'S WHY IT IS HERE TODAY.
THAT'S WHY WE BRING BACK THAT TRUE DOWN HOME COUNTY FAIR HERE OF CELEBRATE WHAT YAVAPAI COUNTY IS ABOUT. BE EXCITED.
TO TELL YOU, I STOOD ONE DAY WITH AN ELDERLY LADY IN HER 80S, AND SHE BROUGHT A PICTURE THAT SHE HAD PAINTED IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1940, AND SHE WON A BLUE RIBBON.
SHE GOT A BLUE RIBBON, AND THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE STATE FAIR AND SHE GOT ANOTHER BLUE RIBBON FOR IT.
TO STAND THERE WITH THIS LADY IN HER LATE 80S WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN HER FACE THAT SAID, THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN MY LIFE IS MY THREE BLUE RIBBONS.
I'M SURE SHE HAD MORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
BUT THE COUNTY FAIR GAVE THAT ELEMENT TO HER FROM THE 1950S INTO THE YEAR 2000, AND IT WAS A MOMENT THAT'S THERE TO THE LITTLE KID THAT WALKS BY YOU AND SAYS, I GOT TO BE A COWBOY TODAY.
YES, YOU DID, BECAUSE YOU GOT TO GO IN THE ROPE ARENA, AND YOU GOT TO DO WHATEVER.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE COUNTY FAIR ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, I CHALLENGE YOU.
YOU CAN COME AND I WILL PUT YOU IN THE CROW'S NEST, AND YOU SIT THERE FOR FOUR HOURS BECAUSE AT SIX O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, WE START WITH CANDY RACES.
YOU CAN'T GET INTO THE ARENA BECAUSE IT'S 6-10 FEET DEEP OF FAMILIES, READY TO GO OUT THERE AND PARTICIPATE FOR FREE.
WE START FROM 18 MONTHS UP TO THREE YEARS OLD, AND I MIGHT GET MY AGES WRONG BECAUSE I DO SECURITY AND TICKETING AND DON'T GET TO HAVE FUN LIKE THIS, AND WE POUR OUT $800 WORTH OF PACKAGED FRUIT SNACKS TO JUICE BOXES OR WHATEVER IT IS OUT ON THE GROUND, AND THESE LITTLE KIDS RUN DOWN AND GATHER AS MUCH AS THEY CAN IN THEIR ARMS. WHEN THAT'S DONE, WE GO TO CHICKEN RACES, AND WE GO CHICKEN RACES ALL THE WAY UP TO EIGHT-YEARS-OLD, AND THESE KIDS RACE AND THEY RUN DOWN AND THEY CATCH A CHICKEN, IF THEY LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND THEY CAN'T TAKE THE CHICKEN HOME, WE BUY THE CHICKEN BACK FROM THEM, SO THEY GET $5 AND A COUPON TO A FRUIT VENDOR FOR FREE.
THEN, AFTER EIGHT YEARS OLD, IT STARTS THE REAL RACE IS THE GREASE PIG RACE.
WE STARTED OUT WITH OUR GREASE PIG RACE 13 YEARS AGO, BUYING EIGHT PIGS.
[04:30:02]
GREASE PIG RACES FROM EIGHT YEARS OLD ALL THE WAY UP TO 50 AND OVER.WHY THE PEOPLE EVEN 40 AND OVER WANT TO CHASE A GREASED PIG AND FALL ON THE GROUND AND GET DISGUSTING? I DON'T KNOW. BUT THEY DO.
THEY'VE ASKED FOR IT, AND IT'S HILARIOUS.
WE GIVE AWAY ABOUT 10 PIGS THROUGHOUT THE IT FAIR.
IF THERE'S A WINNING PIG, NO ANIMAL HAS BEEN HARMED.
IT IS A NIGHT OF TRUE ENJOYMENT.
AFTER ONE OF OUR FIRST TWO YEARS OR TWO DOING THIS, I WAS AT THE RODEO SIX MONTHS LATER, AND I WAS STANDING THERE WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO COME BACK, AND THIS LITTLE BOY GRABBED MY LEG, AND HE GOES, YOU'RE THAT LADY.
I WAS LIKE, I'M WHAT LADY? I DON'T KNOW WHAT LADY I AM RIGHT NOW.
HE GOES, MOM, THAT'S THE LADY.
I'M LOOKING AT HER VERY CAUTIOUSLY, THINKING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID, AND SHE GOES, YOU'RE THE LADY THAT LET ME BE ONE OF THEM.
THE MOM WENT ON TO EXPRESS THE FACT THAT SHE HAD BEEN TO THE FAIR, AND HE GOT TO CHASE A PIG.
THAT WAS HIS HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE HE GOT TO GO INSIDE THE ARENA AND BE A COWBOY THAT DAY.
TO THE KIDS TO BRING A TOMATO, AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT, WE WORK HARD TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT THAT IS CONCLUSIVE WITH EVERYBODY.
ONCE YOU COME IN THE GATE, EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED, EXCEPT FOR THE CARNIVAL AND FOOD.
THERE'S NOT MANY PLACES THAT YOU CAN TAKE YOUR FAMILY AND GO AND ENJOY THE DAY AND WATCH A RODEO.
CHASE A GREASED PIG, WATCH A CONCERT.
SIT WITH YOUR TODDLERS IN A FREE FAMILY FUN AREA, HAVE EDUCATION, GO WATCH ANIMALS, BE SHOWN BY THESE EXHIBITORS.
LAST YEAR, WE HAD OVER 190 LOTS IN OUR AUCTION.
IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE PROVIDE.
NOT ONLY DO WE PROVIDE THE COUNTY FAIR, BUT BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR THE SUPPORT OF LIVESTOCK PROGRAMS IN OUR COUNTY.
EVERY MONTH WE PROVIDE A LIVESTOCK EDUCATIONAL NIGHT FOR THESE KIDS THAT ARE HAVE THESE PROJECTS TO COME.
WE STARTED OUT WITH ABOUT 10 KIDS, AND NOW I'VE HAD TO FIND ANOTHER BUILDING TO GO TO BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.
WE USE THE PALDON COMMUNITY CENTER, AND WE HAVE ABOUT 65 KIDS THAT COME ONCE A MONTH.
ALL THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR LIVESTOCK EDUCATION, HOW TO RAISE YOUR ANIMAL, HOW TO FEED IT.
THEN IN THE SUMMER, THEY COME EVERY WEEK FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE AND JULY FOR SUPPORT ON HOW TO SHOW THEIR ANIMAL AND HOW TO EXHIBIT IT.
WE'RE PROVIDING THEM A CAMP IN THE SUMMER TO BUILD THEIR PROGRAM, AND WE PROVIDE THAT.
THE VOLUNTEERS THAT COME AND HELP WITH THE YOUTH LIVESTOCK ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE FAIR, THEY GIVE THAT SUPPORT TO ALL OF THESE KIDS.
I'VE SEEN, SOME DRIVE TO BAGHDAD, TAKE A HELP KIDS TO EVEN KIDS IN VERDE VALLEY THAT HAVE QUESTIONS.
JUST LIKE THE RODEO BEING THE LONGEST RUNNING RODEO, WE ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING COUNTY FAIR.
WE HAD OVER 50,000 PEOPLE COME THROUGH OUR GATES IN 2023.
2024, WE STILL HAD A LITTLE OVER 37,000.
HOWEVER, WE WERE ALSO BLESSED WITH 10 INCHES OF RAIN.
IT WASN'T SO SPECIAL, BUT THAT'S OKAY. WE SURVIVED.
I THINK MY NUMBER 1 COMPLAINT WAS, HOW DARE YOU HAVE SUCH A MUDDY PARKING LOT? I WAS LIKE, I'LL WORK ON THAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL THEM. COULDN'T FIX THE MUD.
I WANTED TO HAVE MUD, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
WE SURVIVED, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR THIS YEAR.
THE SUPPORT IS THERE, AND WE HAVE GROWN.
OUR COUNTY FAIR WAS A BIG FAIR.
IT WENT DOWN TO SOMETHING SMALL, AND WE'RE BACK TO BEING A MEDIUM-SIZED FAIR IN THIS STATE.
WE'RE NOT ONE OF THE SMALLEST FAIRS IN THE STATE LIKE WE USED TO BE, BUT WE'RE THE THIRD-LARGEST COUNTY.
BUT WITHOUT SUPPORT, WE CAN'T DO IT.
WE HIT THE STREETS HARD, AND IT COMES WITH A FEW FAMILIES THAT WORK HARD TOGETHER, AND IT'S PART OF THEIR.
MARY SPOKE TO THE FACT ABOUT THESE KIDS.
I WILL TELL YOU, I HAVE TWO FAMILIES.
BASICALLY, I HAVE OLDER CHILDREN, AND I HAVE A CABOOSE CHILD, AND ALL OF MY KIDS HAVE BEEN A PART OF COUNTY FAIR.
I HAPPENED TO TAKE MY SON GOING LOOKING FOR SPONSORS THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
WE PULLED UP TO A BUSINESS AND I SAID, I'M GOING TO GO INTO THIS ONE WITH YOU.
THE ARGUMENT IN THE PARKING LOT WAS, I DON'T NEED YOU TO HOLD MY HAND, AND DO NOT TRUST ME.
I KNOW EVERYTHING YOU THERE IS TO KNOW.
WE WENT IN TOGETHER, AND WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT, HE SIMPLY SAID TO ME, I DO BETTER WITHOUT YOU.
I SAID, THANKS. YOU CAN GO ON YOUR OWN, WHATEVER.
[04:35:03]
THEY ACTUALLY TALKED TO HIM THE WHOLE TIME.IT'S MORE THAN JUST A COUNTY FAIR.
THESE KIDS THAT HAVE CAME THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS GO ON TO SCHOOL TO BECOME AGRICULTURAL ASPECTS, BUSINESSMEN, AND THEY KNOW HOW TO MAKE A DECISION, AND THAT'S WHAT THAT PROGRAM TEACHES THEM.
WE'VE CARRIED IT FORWARD INTO THE STILLS UP TOP, THE CRAFTS, EVERYTHING, AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE PROUD OF, BUT IT'S WITH YOUR GUYS THE SUPPORT THAT IT'S POSSIBLE, AND I JUST ASK THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THAT SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU, ROSIE. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I'M GOING TO GO CHASE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE COUNTY FAIR EVERY YEAR SINCE, I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 12 OR 13 YEARS OLD.
YOU WOULD NATURALLY DITCH SCHOOL, AND IT WAS JUST ACCEPTED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ANYBODY IN THE CLASSROOM THAT DAY.
YOU DIDN'T GET INTO TROUBLE, BUT IT WAS A TRUE COUNTY FAIR.
THEN THEY MOVED IT OUT TO PRESCOTT VALLEY, AND I FELT LIKE IT TURNED MORE INTO A CARNIVAL.
THEY WERE GETTING BIGGER CROWDS AND MORE PEOPLE, BUT IT WAS MORE OF A CARNIVAL THAN A FAIR.
THAT FELL APART, AND THIS WOMAN IS BEING VERY MODEST.
SHE SAVED THE COUNTY FAIR BECAUSE THEY GOT IT BACK TO PRESCOTT, PUT IT ON. IT WAS VERY SMALL.
IT WAS PRETTY WEAK THE FIRST YEAR, BUT YOU MADE IT HAPPEN, AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU REBUILD OVER ALL THESE YEARS.
YOU STILL HAVE SOME REBUILDING TO GO, I THINK, ON THE EXHIBIT SIDE.
PEOPLE HAVE TO WANT TO COME BACK.
THE COMMUNITY REALLY THROWS IN, AND YOU'D SEE YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS ALL WITH THEIR EXHIBITS.
YOU STILL PAY KIDS FOR RIBBONS? BECAUSE THAT'S WHO I USED TO PAY FOR THE FAIR.
I'D PUT IN 1,000 EXHIBITS AND I'D GET A BUCK YEAR AND A BUCK THERE AND IT PAID FOR MY FAIR.
I'M GLAD TO SEE IT KEEP GOING.
THE ONLY QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE EXTRA 75? WHAT'S YOUR PLANS? HOW DO YOU GO TO USE THAT EXTRA MONEY?
>> ONE, I WOULD GET OUR FACILITIES WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE FOR OUR EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS IT WILL HAPPEN.
I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, MY BUDGET IS AS I'M A NEGATIVE $50,000.
I'M GOING TO FIND THE MONEY BECAUSE I WILL.
I'LL FIND IT BECAUSE I'M STUBBORN.
I THINK YOU KNOW THAT ALREADY.
BUT THERE'S AREAS WHERE I'M GOING TO CUT HERE AND CUT THERE, AND IT'LL COME DOWN TO AREAS THAT WE'LL HAVE TO.
BUT WE STILL HAVE A LOAN FOR ALL OF THE LIVESTOCK PANELS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE PANELS FOR THERE.
WE'RE STILL BORROWING OTHER PANELS TO MAKE IT WORK, AND WE'RE STILL IN TENTS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE RODEO GROUNDS ISN'T FOR FREE.
WE PAY ALMOST THE HIGHEST RATE THAT ANYBODY ELSE DOES.
WE PAY ALMOST $26,000 FOR THAT FOUR DAYS.
WE HAVE TO RENT AN OFFICE, AND NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE COUNTY FAIR EVENTS THAT HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF FAIR ARE AT MY HOUSE.
SEND CODE ENFORCEMENT, BETTER NOT DO THAT.
>> YOU CAN SAVE SOME MONEY BY CUTTING BACK ON THE COUNTRY MUSIC.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'D BE DONE WITH.
>> BUT WE HAVE ACDC COMING THIS YEAR.
>> THAT'S GREAT. JUST THANKS FOR CONTINUING TO DO IT, BECAUSE IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FOR YOU AND YOUR LITTLE GROUP OF FOLKS THAT CARED ABOUT THIS, IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AND IT WOULDN'T HAVE COME BACK.
>> IT WOULDN'T. I WILL TELL YOU.
IT'S TRULY ABOUT A COUNTY FAIR, AND THE SUPPORT THAT WE GET FROM THE INMATE, THEY CALL IT COMMUNITY OUTREACH, I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM.
IF I DIDN'T GET MY DATES IMPROVED WITHOUT THE INMATES, WE COULDN'T DO THE FAIR.
SOME OF THAT IS PRETTY TOUCHING TO SEE THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS GIVEN ON THE REFORMING OF THOSE INMATES.
THEY COME AND WORK TIRELESSLY TO PUT THIS FAIR UP AND CLEAN IT UP FOR US.
THEY'LL COME BACK AND FIND US AFTERWARDS AND SAY, YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO YOU TO COME OUT.
ALSO, TO THE FAMILIES, I'VE HAD FAMILIES COME TO THE GATE AND CAN ONLY AFFORD ONE TICKET, AND I'M LIKE, LET'S TALK.
LET'S GO. GO ENJOY THE FAIR, BECAUSE IT'S MORE ABOUT THESE PEOPLE COMING AND BEING A PART OF THE FAMILY AND SEEING WHAT OUR COUNTY IS ABOUT.
>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
OF COURSE, I ALWAYS ATTEND AND ALWAYS WILL.
WHEN I HEAR CANDY RACE, GREASE PIG RACE, AND SUPERVISOR TUPNO, I'M GOOD.
>> IT IS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE AT THE EVENT, BUT WE LEFT BECAUSE OUR ENTIRE BOARD GOES.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT. WE'RE GOING.
I WILL SAY, JEREMY'S MY SECURITY, AND HIM AND I SPENT THE ENTIRE NIGHT GOING, WOW, IT'D BE FUN TO BE OUT THERE HAVING FUN WHILE WE OR TAKING CARE OF THE FINCH JUMPERS AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS.
[04:40:04]
THEN AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, MY HUSBAND ALWAYS LOOKS AT ME AND SAYS, THAT WAS AN EASY NIGHT, WASN'T IT? I'M LIKE, GO CLEAN UP TRASH.I HAVEN'T TOLD MANY COLLOQUIAL STORIES HERE.
I'VE BEEN VERY BUDGET-ORIENTED, BUT THE COUNTY FAIR WAS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE THING TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN I WAS A KID.
I LOOK FORWARD TO IT ALL YEAR LONG.
>> I'M SMELLING A GREASE PIG CHALLENGE WITH THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT ME AND SUPERVISOR JENKINS ARE GOING TO WATCH FROM WHEREVER, THE FAR BOX, WHILE THE THREE OF YOU ARE, I DON'T KNOW.
>> WE DO. [OVERLAPPING] YOU HAVE A PI FAMILY ADVOCACY SITTER. MISS IS HERE.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR AND COUNSEL FOR HAVING ME.
GOSH, THIS YEAR WITH THE COUNCIL IS SO MUCH MORE FORMAL THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.
I DID NOT PREPARE A POWERPOINT, SO I APOLOGIZE.
BUT I KNOW THAT RECENTLY, SOME OF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT AND TOUR THE AVC CENTER NOT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS MEETING, BUT STILL HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE CENTER AND THE GREAT WORK THAT WE DO THERE.
>> IN LISTENING THIS MORNING TO ALL THE PRESENTATIONS, I JUST LOVE HOW CLOSE OUR COUNTY IS AND HOW MUCH CROSSOVER AND HOW WE'RE ALL INVOLVED WITH EACH OTHER.
LISTENING TO JUDGE NAPPER, COUNTY ATTORNEY, DENNIS MCGRANE, THE SHERIFF, IN ALL OF THEIR WORK THAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, MY PEOPLE ARE THERE IN EVERY ONE OF THOSE VENUES.
WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
I HEARD YOU ASK ABOUT THEIR VICTIM SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND AS HE WAS EXPLAINING, THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE IS REALLY IN REGARDS TO THE COURT SYSTEM.
THEY'RE WORKING WITH VICTIMS ON WHAT THAT NEXT HEARING IS GOING TO BE, WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, WHAT WILL HAPPEN, WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOU.
WILL YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK? MY ADVOCATES ARE DOING EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND WHAT THAT CLIENT MIGHT NEED AS FAR AS EDUCATION AROUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT IF THAT'S THE CRIME THAT HAPPENED TO THEM, PROVIDING SUPPORT GROUPS, REFERRALS TO OUR WE PAY TRAUMA THERAPISTS TO WORK WITH VICTIMS OF CRIME, DRIVING THEM TO THE HEARING BECAUSE MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WANT TO GO AND FACE THE PERSON THAT'S HARMED THEM, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION.
A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THE ADVOCACY CENTER.
WE'RE ONE OF 25 IN THE STATE, ONE OF ALMOST 1,100 NATIONALLY, AND THERE'S OVER 6,000 AROUND THE WORLD.
IT WAS THE LAST NUMBER I CAN REMEMBER.
WE'VE BEEN SERVING YAVAPAI COUNTY SINCE 2000, SO OCTOBER WILL BE OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROVIDING SERVICES IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WE GIVE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF INTERPERSONAL CRIMES.
THOSE ARE THINGS LIKE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILD ABUSE, CHILD NEGLECT, ELDER ABUSE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, STALKING.
WE SUPPORT FAMILIES WHERE THERE'S BEEN A HOMICIDE OR A SUICIDE IN THAT FAMILY.
REALLY ANY OF THOSE INTERPERSONAL CRIMES, AND WE CALL THEM INTERPERSONAL BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT ABOUT 85% OF THESE CRIMES THAT HAPPENED TO PEOPLE HAPPEN TO THEM BY SOMEBODY THEY KNOW, EITHER A FAMILY MEMBER, A FRIEND, OR AN ACQUAINTANCE.
THAT ADDS A WHOLE ANOTHER LEVEL OF TRAUMA.
THAT COMES ALONG WITH THE ACTUAL ASSAULT ITSELF.
THERE'S A HUGE EMOTIONAL COMPONENT THAT COMES WITH TRYING TO PROCESS WHY SOMEBODY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR PROTECTOR AND CAREGIVER IS NOW THE PERSON THAT'S EITHER THREATENED YOUR LIFE OR THREATENED YOUR STABILITY OR MADE YOU FEEL UNSAFE.
AT THE ADVOCACY CENTER, THAT'S WHAT WE SPECIALIZE IN AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
THAT'S OUR WHOLE FOCUS IS UNDERSTANDING THAT AND UNDERSTANDING THAT ONCE THAT HAPPENS TO SOMEBODY AND THEY ENTER INTO WHAT WE CALL THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS, THAT'S DEVASTATING AND OVERWHELMING TO THEM BECAUSE NOW THEY'RE GETTING ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS BY MULTIPLE PARTIES, AND ADVOCACY CENTERS ARE DESIGNED WHERE THEY CAN COME TO US.
ALL OF THOSE PARTIES COME TO THEM.
[04:45:01]
THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT COME TO US.THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COMES TO US.
VICTIM SERVICES COMES TO OUR CENTER AND MEETS WITH THEM.
THE NURSES COME THERE TO DO THE EXAMS, THE THERAPISTS DO THERAPY ON SITE.
ALL OF THOSE SERVICES HAPPEN AT OUR CENTER, WHICH IS GROWING.
I'VE BEEN THE DIRECTOR 10 YEARS NOW IN JUNE.
EVEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE NEVER HAD A DECREASE IN CLIENTS FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
THE INCREASE WAS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER BACK THEN, BUT LAST YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 1,300 PEOPLE COUNTYWIDE.
WE KNOW THAT THE DEMAND IS GROWING, AND THIS YEAR, I ASKED FOR AN INCREASE IN FUNDING.
THAT'S THE EXACT REASON WHY WE'RE SERVING MORE PEOPLE.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS COSTING MORE MONEY, UNFORTUNATELY.
JUST TO MEET THE VERY BASIC NEEDS OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING ALL ALONG IS DRIVING THIS URGE FOR ME TO HAVE TO GO OUT AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY FROM EACH OF THE PLACES THAT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING US SO FAR.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH MORE TIME.
I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A LONG DAY FOR EVERYBODY.
>> WELL, I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT YOU DO.
JUST HONESTLY, IT SEEMS LIKE, EVER SINCE I'VE LIVED HERE, WHICH IS 25 YEARS, AND I JUST KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE GIVEN AND WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
LOOKING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, CONSISTENTLY AT THE SAME AMOUNT.
I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING IS COSTING MORE, AND THEN LIKE EVERYTHING, MOST OF WHAT DRIVING EVERY ONE OF THE SITUATIONS IS THE POPULATION, THE INFLATION, ALL OF IT.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, I ALWAYS APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU WORK WITH OUR COURT SYSTEM, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE SUCH A SMALL KNIT COMMUNITY, AND IT ALL MATTERS.
THANK YOU. I'M SURE THE OTHER MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS.
>> OF COURSE. I THINK THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU, I HAD A TOMMY GUN, [OVERLAPPING] DRESSED LIKE 1920S GANGSTER.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENT. BUT MY DAUGHTER WORKS FOR THE STATE HELPING KIDS OUT, AND SHE SAYS THAT YOU GUYS ARE INVALUABLE.
I THINK YOU DO A GREAT JOB, AND THE VISIT TO YOUR CENTER WAS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD, TOO.
>> JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, DO YOU SERVE COUNTYWIDE?
YES, [LAUGHTER] AND SUPERVISOR JENKINS CAN TELL YOU THIS.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY WITH THE MARSHAL OVER IN CAMP VERDE AND THE TOWN OF CAMP VERDE TO OPEN UP A SECOND SITE OVER THERE THAT CAN SERVE PEOPLE MORE LOCALLY.
OUR FORENSIC SERVICES, THINGS LIKE WE DO ALL THE FORENSIC INTERVIEWS ON CHILD VICTIMS IN THE COUNTY.
ALL OUR FORENSIC MEDICAL AND STRANGULATION EXAMS HAPPEN AT OUR CENTER FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY.
THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO GET TRANSPORTED TO US.
THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE MOST IDEAL SITUATION, OF COURSE.
THIS YEAR, HOPEFULLY, WE'RE GOING TO START WORKING ON IT HARD.
YES, GETTING A CENTER OVER THERE SO THAT THOSE PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL THERE DIRECTLY.
THEN ABOUT 50% OF OUR PEOPLE COME INTO US.
THEY WALK IN OR CALL IN, AND THEY HAVE NOT COME THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET SERVICES.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT OF THOSE 600-700 PEOPLE, 80-85% OF THOSE WALK-INS ARE ON THIS SIDE OF THE HILL.
WE KNOW THAT IF WE HAD A PRESENCE OVER THERE, THAT WOULD JUST EXPLODE IN THE AVAILABILITY FOR THEM TO COME AND GET THOSE SERVICES.
>> CVMO AND MARSHALL RALLY SPEAKS SO HIGHLY OF THIS ORGANIZATION.
IT'S A DETERRENT FOR FOLKS IN THE VERDE VALLEY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED.
SOMETIMES THAT MAKES THEM THINK ABOUT THAT HOUR TRIP OR HOURS IT'S TAXING ON THEM, AND IT'S EMOTIONALLY STRESSFUL FOR THEM TO BE TRANSPORTED OVER HERE.
WE'VE WORKED FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
THE TOWN OF CAMP VERDE HAS SPACE.
THE SPACE THAT WE HAVE NEEDS RENOVATED.
IT'S THERE. WE GIVE IT TO THEM.
BUT THERE'S ALWAYS THOSE RENOVATION COSTS ON EXISTING FACILITIES THAT SOMETIMES IS A HUGE DETERRENT IN FOLLOWING THROUGH, BUT WE ARE DETERMINED ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE CITIZENS BECAUSE THAT FACILITY WOULD SERVE THE ENTIRE VERDE VALLEY.
[04:50:02]
THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS THE POPULATION THAT'S IN NEED OF THE SERVICE IS INCREASING, AND THAT'S SAD.WE JUST HAVE TO RESPOND TO THAT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. YOU'RE INVALUABLE.
>> JERRY. I'M GOING TO MAKE ONE COMMENT.
I ALWAYS APPRECIATE MISSA, YOU POINTING OUT THAT YOU REALLY ARE ANOTHER ONE OF THE PARTNERS IN OUR SYSTEM HERE.
AS YOU SAID, YOU WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE COURTS, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
I WOULD JUST REMIND THE BOARD THIS MORNING WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE VICTIM ADVOCATE POSITION IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IT WASN'T RECOMMENDED.
THAT POSITION, 83,000, $14 ANNUAL SALARY.
I COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTE THE SIMILARITY TO THE REQUESTS FROM MISSA HERE FOR LIKE SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
>> BY THE WAY, WE WON BEST DRESS, COMPTON. BEST DRESSED.
>> EXCUSE ME. ONE MORE ITEM TO ADD.
SUPERVISOR KUKNYO HAS A REQUEST THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE AT THIS TIME WITH THE BOARD.
>> I THOUGHT THE BEST DRESS THING WAS ON.
>> HE HAD ASKED WHEN WOULD BE THE BEST TIME IN THE BUDGET PROCESS TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THE BOARD, AND I SUGGESTED NOW WAS PROBABLY THE MOST APPROPRIATE TIME, SO I THINK HE'S GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE.
>> YOU BET, AND WE GOT SOME HANDOUTS COMING UP, AND MAGGIE'S GOING TO JOIN US AGAIN FROM THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY.
THIS IS A FAIRLY LARGE ASK, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY WORTH IT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THROWING IN IT TIES IN WITH THE GREATER CHINO VALLEY COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS, THE EFFORTS OF A LOT OF RECREATION GOING IN AND THE CONNECTIVITY THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET TOGETHER TO GO ALONG WITH THE UPPER VERDE WILD AND SCENIC DESIGNATION AND HAVING ACCESS FOR PEOPLE.
DO YOU HAVE THE MAPS? MARLENE? COULD I GET ONE?
>> SORRY, I FORGOT ABOUT THAT.
BUT THE MAYOR OF CHINO VALLEY WANTED TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT HE COULDN'T BE BECAUSE OF A FAMILY THING, SO MAGGIE'S JUMPING IN.
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS MAP THAT YOU CAN PULL OUT, THERE'S A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT'S PRIVATELY HELD, AND IT'S RIGHT BELOW THE SULLIVAN LAKE DAM.
IT'S A VERY SMALL PIECE RIGHT THERE IN THE CENTER, AND THE GENTLEMAN WHO OWNS IT, IT IS PRIVATELY HELD, AND HE IS PUTTING IT ON THE MARKET.
IT'S BEEN APPRAISED AT $400,000.
REALLY, I'M JUST GOING TO LET MAGGIE RUN WITH THIS WHOLE THING BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN FOLLOWING A LOT LONGER, AND I'LL JUST SUPPLEMENT, IF EVER NEED BE. TAKE IT AWAY.
>> [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN, EVERYBODY.
YES, THE MAYOR WROTE A VERY NICE LETTER.
I HOPE YOU'VE ALL HAD TIME TO READ IT ABOUT THE PROJECT SUPPORT ON THIS.
ALSO, I HAVE TO GIVE KUDOS TO MATT.
WE WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.
THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE FROM HERE, AND WE ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING THE LAND AND DOING GOOD THINGS FOR IT AND ALL THAT.
I CAN'T TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
WE JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO SHOW YOU GUYS THE UPPER SULLIVANS CANYON PROJECT, AND THIS IS BY THE TRUST REPUBLIC LAND.
BUT IT DOES DEMONSTRATE THE FACT THAT WE COLLABORATE AND THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS.
PERSPECTIVES. FOR THE IMPORTANCE, OUTDOOR RECREATION, PUBLIC SAFETY IS HUGE.
THIS ALL TIES IN TOGETHER OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TODAY, WILD AND SCENIC, CULTURAL STUFF, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS, WHICH I'M VERY TIED INTO.
THIS MAP, I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE A COPY OF BOTH OF THESE, BUT IT SHOWS THE CONNECTIVITY.
BASICALLY LOOKS LIKE THE DELLS AND THEN UPWARD TOWARDS THE UPPER SULLIVANS CANYON.
BUT BASICALLY, RIGHT NOW, THE P VINE TRAIL THROUGH PRESCOTT IS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES, AND THEN GETTING IT UP THROUGH CHINO AND ALL THE WAY UP THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 17.
[04:55:04]
TRAILS BRING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE STATE EVERY YEAR, ESPECIALLY THE ARIZONA TRAIL, SO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS VERY INTENSE.IT JUST SPREADS THROUGHOUT EACH COMMUNITY THAT THEY TOUCH.
VERY IMPORTANT BULLET POINT ON THE FIRST ONE.
THIS IS THE LAST PARCEL OF LAND ON THE UPPER VERDE AREA THAT WOULD BE NORTH OF THE STATE PARK.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS STATE PARKS CAME IN THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION WITH TRUST REPUBLIC LAND AND THE TOWN OF CHINO, AND ALL OF THE COLLABORATORS.
YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE A DEMONSTRATION OF THAT IN YOUR POCKET SOMEWHERE.
YOU HAVE THE STATE LAND PARK, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE HISTORIC FRED HARVEY PARCEL THAT THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY PURCHASED.
THEN YOU HAVE THIS NORTHERN SECTION.
IF IT IS NOT PURCHASED BY AN ENTITY SUCH AS US, IT'S ZONED RESIDENTIAL.
SOMEBODY COULD COME IN AND BUY IT AND PUT UP HOUSES.
IT IS RESIDENTIAL TWO ACRES, BUT STILL IT'S BETTER OFF BEING PART OF THE STATE PARK.
THEN THIS IS JUST SOME OF THE MORE FUNDING INFORMATION.
SOME OF THIS, I'M GOING TO SKIP OVER.
THE TOWN HAS BEEN HIGHLY PROMOTING TOURISM.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WAS ON 12 NEWS AND DID A SEGMENT, BASICALLY, JUST MARKETING THE WHOLE AREA FOR THE STATE PARK FOR COMING UP AND VISITING AND GOING TO OUR RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING.
IF YOU LOOK TO THE LAST SENTENCE, YOU HAVE A PI COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE.
THEN ALSO YOU HAVE JUST A TRAINING FACILITY.
>> THIS TIES BACK INTO THE WILD AND SCENIC THAT YOU GUYS HEARD EARLIER, PROTECTING THOSE HEADWATERS.
WE CAN PURCHASE THIS LAST PARCEL OF LAND, THEN YOU PROTECT THE HEADWATERS OF THE VERDE RIVER. IT'S SO IMPORTANT.
IT'S NOT JUST HISTORY, IT'S ECOLOGICAL.
IT'S BRINGING MONEY HERE AND JUST PROTECTING IT ALL OVER.
THERE'S A LOT OF INDIGENOUS PETROGLYPHS FROM THE SINAGUA INDIANS AND CLAY ALL AROUND, AND IF IT DOES GET BOUGHT UP BY SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT WILL ALL GO AWAY.
THAT'S PART OF ARIZONA'S HISTORY AND WE'RE ALL HERE TO PROTECT THAT.
THE SITE IS ONE THAT I ACTUALLY DID.
ACCORDING TO THE ARIZONA OFFICE OF TOURISM, THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, WE COLLECT ABOUT $15 BILLION IN FUNDING.
OUR REGION, ESPECIALLY PRESCOTT PROBABLY DOES COLLECT A LOT OF THAT, BUT IF WE CAN EXPAND THAT MORE, THAT'D BE GREAT.
THEN THIS IS SOME OF THE CAMPAIGN THAT WE DID FOR PROMOTING OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ALL OF THAT.
THEY WILL BE COMING, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT IT WITH ALL THE MITIGATION FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
I THINK ONE THING THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT IS THERE IS AN ARS STATUTE FOR THE LIABILITY PORTION OF IT, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS TRUST PARK PUBLIC LAND HAS PUT IN A GRANT THROUGH THE STATE PARKS.
SO IF THEY GET THE GRANT WITH THE REQUIRED FUNDING, THEN THE OWNERSHIP GOES TO THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY.
BUT YOU HAVE THE PRESCOTT CLIMBERS COALITION WHO IS WILLING TO GO IN AND DO ALL OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND BASICALLY MANAGE ALL OF IT, AND THE LIABILITY BECAUSE OF THE STATUTE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE HANDS OF ANYBODY THAT'S PARTICIPATING, WHICH IS GOOD.
THEN HERE IS A BREAKDOWN FOR THE FUNDING.
THE GRANT APPLICATION IS A MATCH-MATCH.
IT'S $200,000 THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR AND SOME FUNDING OTHER MECHANISMS. THEN THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE'S A CURRENT GAP OF $150,000 THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THE COUNTY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH.
>> THE PRESCOTT CLIMBERS THEY'RE RAISING THE 50,000.
THEY'RE ALREADY AT 32,000 AND THEY HAVEN'T EVEN DONE ANY MAJOR EVENTS.
THE TOTAL PRICE 400 STATE LAND AND CONSERVATION GRANT WOULD BE 200,000.
WE'RE ASKING TO COME IN WITH 150,000.
THEN CHINO AND THIS OTHER ORGANIZATION ARE GOING TO TAKE ON MANAGEMENT OF THE LAND AND OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND, ACTUALLY.
IT'LL TIE IN WITH THE GREATER PARK OBJECTIVE AS WELL.
IT'S JUST LIKE IF YOU'RE WORKING FOR ADO AND YOU'RE TRYING TO FIX THE HIGHWAY.
IT'S THE SAME THING. IT GOES COPACETICALLY IN LINE.
THIS IS THE LAST COMPONENT OF THAT TO PRESERVE AND MAKE IT SAY THE WAY IT LOOKS.
WITH THE TOWN OF CHINO VALLEY PURCHASING THE FRED HARVEY FARM,
[05:00:01]
THERE'S A LOT OF BIG PLANS FOR THAT.WE'RE PROMOTING IT AND TRYING TO SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
AS FAR AS, LIKE I SAID, 12NEWS.
WE'RE GOING TO PUT A BUTTON ON OUR PAGE, AND WE'RE GOING TO START REALLY OUTSOURCING, HOPING THE FILM INDUSTRY COMES IN OR WHATEVER IT IS.
BUT THIS PART IS THE LAST COMPONENT.
>> THIS REALLY SHOWS YOU THE BIG PICTURE IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR MAP, BECAUSE IT'S TYING IN ALL THE TRAIL SYSTEM, THE STATE PARK.
ESSENTIALLY, WITH THIS GETTING DONE, YOU COULD GO FROM THE GLASFORD HILL IN PRESCOTT VALLEY, INTO THE GRANITE DELLS, UP THE P VINE TRAIL, THROUGH THE STATE PARK, AND THEN HANG A RIGHT TO GO INTO THE UPPER VERDE.
BUT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT IF THIS SECTION ISN'T PURCHASED.
IT'S A MAJOR PIECE OF CONNECTIVITY.
THE REST IS SET UP, BECAUSE IF YOU HANG A RIGHT, THEN YOU CAN GET INTO THE FISH AND GAME, THE STATE PARKS, AND EVENTUALLY THE NATIONAL FOREST.
IT'S A BIG DEAL TO SEAL THIS ONE UP AND GET INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE OF PROTECTING THE WILD AND SCENIC UPPER VERDE RIVER AND MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC, AS WELL.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I'VE WORKED ON TRYING TO GET THE UPPER VERDE DESIGNATED AS A WILD AND SCENIC RIVER FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AND IT'S GOING SLOW.
BUT WHAT ISN'T GOING SLOW IS A TRUE PRIORITIZATION OF THE UPPER VERDE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA BY ALMOST EVERY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND NONPROFIT OF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PURCHASE LAND THERE.
GAME AND FISH HAS A PARCEL OF LAND THERE.
THERE'S A LOT OF LAYERS TO WHY THIS IS VALUABLE.
ECOLOGICALLY, BIOLOGICALLY, IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS FOR CENTRAL ARIZONA, AND POSSIBLY THE WHOLE, SOUTHWEST, AS THE MOGOLLON HIGHLANDS CONNECTS THE SONORAN DESERT TO THE COLORADO PLATEAU.
IT'S AN AREA OF IMPORTANT BIRD.
BUT ANOTHER REAL FOCUS HERE, WHICH I THINK SPEAKS A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THIS GREATER PLAN IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.
RECREATION ECONOMIES BRING IN A LOT OF DOLLARS WITHOUT A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE WITH A LOT OF IMPACT, HONESTLY.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE SAME FOR CLIMBERS, BUT THE STAT THAT I WAS TOLD IS EVERY TIME A MOUNTAIN BIKER SHOWS UP AS A RECREATIONAL TOURIST, THEY DROP $450.
IT'S NOT A SMALL IMPACT, AND YET IT'S VERY CONDUCIVE TO THE OVERALL VISION THAT SO MANY AGENCIES HAVE SEEN FOR THIS AREA.
>> IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT EVEN ON THIS NORTH SIDE RIGHT NEXT TO CHINO VALLEY, THE CITY OF PRESCOTT IS GOING TO BUILD THAT TRAIL.
THEY SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTIVITY AS WELL.
WHEN YOU LOOK UP HERE, THERE'S EVEN SOME LAND OWNED BY PRESCOTT VALLEY THAT'S GOING TO BECOME PART OF THAT WHOLE STATE PARK.
CHINO SEES THE NECESSARY THING ABOUT PRESERVING THE FRED HARVEY.
THIS IS WHERE THE SANTA FE USED TO GET THEIR EGGS AND THEIR CHICKEN AND ALL THEIR STUFF TO GET UP INTO THE HARVEY HOUSES UP ON THE BIG ROUTE.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE, AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE IT.
HE'S MADE IT CLEAR THIS IS HIS RETIREMENT MONEY.
HE IS GOING TO SELL IT SOMEWHERE, AND WE JUST GOT TO DECIDE IF WE WANT TO THROW IN AT A FRACTION OF WHAT THE WHOLE PRICE IS TO SEAL THIS UP FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
I CAN SEE THIS THING DEVELOPING INTO SOMETHING MAJOR.
COULD YOU IMAGINE IF YOU JUMP ON THAT MOUNTAIN BIKE ON GLASFORD HILL AND GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF PAULDEN.
I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE. IT'S WORTHWHILE.
I DON'T LIKE REALLY BUYING OPEN SPACE, BUT I THINK YOU WHEN YOU STRATEGICALLY BUY OPEN SPACE, IT CAN BE A VERY GOOD THING.
>> ONE OTHER NOTE IS THAT THEY ARE HAVING A FUNDRAISER TOMORROW FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M. AT THE FAIRWEATHER SOCIAL CLUB ON CORTEZ STREET.
>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA.
I LOVED WHEN WE PARTNERED WITH PRESCOTT VALLEY.
I REALLY WOULDN'T BE INTERESTED IN SEEING ANY MORE ROOFTOPS ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW.
I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE ROADS COME BEFORE ANY MORE.
THERE'S SO MUCH TO BE DONE, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WILL PRESERVE A LEGACY.
I'M ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR THE FACT THAT SOMEONE HAD THE VISION TO MAKE SURE WE HAD NATIONAL PARKS AND EVERY TIME I GO THROUGH A NATIONAL PARK,
[05:05:04]
I THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.IT WAS PRESERVED FOR US ALL THE WAY TO TODAY FOR THE FUTURE.
THIS IS THE LAST PRIVATE PROPERTY PARCEL BETWEEN SULLIVAN LAKE AND PERKINSVILLE, SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE.
>> IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE. YES. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, WE GOT THE INFORMATION AND TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT, SO WE'LL CONTINUE ON AND SEE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE ALL DAY. YES.
>> I LEARNED A LOT. IT'S A LEARNING EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU.
>> WE DID GET HER A SANDWICH TO TRY TO.
>> YES, I DID. IT WAS DELICIOUS. THANK YOU.
>> MARTY, WHERE ARE WE AT NOW AS FAR AS THE SCHEDULE?
I GOT TO BE ACCURATE ON MY TIME.
>> A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS, CHAIR, AND START WITH, SINCE IT'S OBVIOUSLY FRESH ON OUR MIND, THE COUNTY CONTRIBUTIONS, WHAT WOULD BE THE WILL OF THE BOARD, DO YOU WANT TO? IS THE BOARD PREPARED TO GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF ON WHAT YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, OR DO YOU WANT TO DEFER THAT TO THE REST OF THE CONVERSATION ABOUT BUDGET THAT I'M ANTICIPATING WE'LL MOVE INTO NEXT WEEK?
>> ME PERSONALLY. I WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE CONVERSATION BE A PART OF THE GREATER ONE.
>> NEXT DECISION POINT, THE BOARD IS TAKING A LOOK AT CALENDARS FOR NEXT WEEK, AND LIKELY YOU HAVE, AS WELL.
YOU SHOULD HAVE ALREADY HAD THAT DAY BLOCKED FOR BOARD OF ORIENTATION.
YES, YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT ON YOUR CALENDAR.
>> I'M SORRY. THAT WAS ACCIDENTALLY DELETED.
>> STAFF IS PROPOSING THAT WE UTILIZE TUESDAY AS THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO RECONVENE THE STUDY SESSION BUDGET.
>> I CAN AGREE TO THAT BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE IT.
WE'RE ALL THERE WITH THAT OPENED, AND ALSO IT'S PUBLIC, AND WE'RE ALL SET TO GO AND WE'VE COVERED ALL OF OUR BASIS.
>> CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I DON'T THINK MY MICROPHONE WORKS, BUT YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
>> THERE YOU GO. THE WORK SESSION NEXT WEEK WOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF THIS OR?
>> TAKE THE PLACE OF. WE WOULD CONVENE HERE AGAIN IN THIS ROOM AT NINE O'CLOCK ON TUESDAY MORNING.
>> YOU WOULD JUST SET BACK UP AGAIN THE ORIENTATION AT SOME POINT?
>> BECAUSE I'M LOOKING FORWARD [INAUDIBLE]
>> BUT THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, THOUGH.
WHY THIS IS STILL FRESH, NOT WAS TOO MANY DAYS IN BETWEEN. ABSOLUTELY.
>> I WOULD REMIND THE BOARD THAT WE HAVE SOME TIMELINES THAT WE'VE GOT TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF SO WE NEED TO KEEP PUSHING HERE.
>> I'M SORRY. DID YOU ASK SUPERVISOR?
>> I'D LIKE TO ASK THIS QUESTION BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MANY HAVE SAID, WE NEED MORE TIME.
WE WANT TO LOOK AT SOME MORE THINGS.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE CONVERSATION.
DON'T GET NERVOUS ABOUT THIS QUESTION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE LATEST POSSIBLE DEADLINE IN REGARDS TO LIKE US GETTING SET AND AGREEING ON WHERE WE'RE AT IN THIS BUDGET.
I'M JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT IS.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR A 13TH HOUR LIKE IT'S TOMORROW.
I KNOW WE CAN ONLY MEET LIKE THIS ON TUESDAY.
AS HAS BEEN REFERENCED, WE CAN'T GET TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, BUT AT LEAST IT GIVES US TIME THAT WE COULD GO TO YOU AND ASK INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS OR MARTY, IF IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE THINKING LEGALLY WISE OR ZACH, IT JUST GIVES US THAT OPPORTUNITY AS INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISORS AS WE SEARCH THROUGH THESE BOOKS, THAT WE COULD GO AND, HEY, YOU GOT AN HOUR? CAN YOU SPEND THAT WITH US? WITH ME? WHATEVER.
>> IF I COULD, CHAIR, I'M GOING TO DEFER THAT TO ZACH AND
[05:10:03]
MARTY AND OTHERS TO GO THROUGH THE SCHEDULE.BUT THE OTHER PIECE I WANT TO SHARE WITH THE BOARD IS, STAFF, WE MEET AFTER YOU CONCLUDE EVERY DAY, AND I'M GOING TO DO A WRAP UP, PREPARE THE QUESTIONS.
PART OF WHAT I'M WANTING TO PROVIDE TO YOU FOR TUESDAY IS A HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY.
I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF SUMMARIZING THE CHANGES THAT ARE PROPOSED HERE AND BRING THAT BACK TO YOU, TO MAYBE WE BRING SOME ADDED CLARITY TO IT AND HAVE IN ONE DOCUMENT, HERE'S WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, HERE ARE THE CHANGES THAT CLEARLY LAYS THAT OUT FOR DECISION.
>> I WAS AFRAID SOMEONE WOULD ASK THAT.
I THINK WE CAN DO IT RELATIVELY QUICKLY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT RIGHT SO I DON'T KNOW.
NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT THAT I WILL?
>> NO. I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.
LOOKING INTO IT, TODAY IS THURSDAY, AT THE END OF THE DAY.
WITH THE CHANGES, THERE'S A COUPLE OF ITEMS. IF IT'S A COMPILATION OF THE CURRENT INFORMATION, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M ENVISIONING IT IS, PLUS THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF OTHER QUESTIONS THAT WE CAN GET INTO THERE, MY GOAL WOULD BE TO GET THAT TOMORROW, MEANING BY THE END OF THE DAY TOMORROW.
THAT WOULD BE THE END OF THE TIME PERIOD I WOULD HAVE TO BRING EVERYTHING TOGETHER, WHICH WOULD BE THE TOTAL BUDGET, MOST OF THE DETAIL I WOULD PROPOSE IS THE GENERAL FUND WOULD BE THE MAJOR ASPECT THAT WE DO THE DEEP DIVE INTO, AS WELL AS AS WELL AS THE BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS.
I COULD PROVIDE MORE OF THE SUMMARY SCHEDULES AGAIN FOR THE OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, BUT THE GENERAL FUND IS, IN MY OPINION, THE AREA THAT WE'VE SPENT THE MOST TIME IN, AND THERE'S THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY FOR LOOKING AT TAX RATES AS WELL AS IMPLICATIONS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL INVESTMENT.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I ADD ONE QUESTION TOO.
THERE WAS A FEW ITEMS WHERE YOU BUMPED UP SALARIES.
>> ARE THOSE ALSO GETTING COLA AND MERIT ON TOP OF THE BUMP?
>> IF YOU'RE REFERRING TO WHAT WE WOULD CALL THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT, RECLASSIFICATIONS.
>> RECLASSIFICATION WOULD BE WHEN A DEPARTMENT WOULD IDENTIFY AN INDIVIDUAL IS WORKING OUTSIDE OF THEIR CURRENT CLASSIFICATION? THAT WAS SENT TO HR.
HR WOULD DO AN ANALYSIS, AND IF HR SUPPORTED A CLASSIFICATION, THEN IT'S IN THE BUDGET.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT.
JUST ONE OTHER ASPECT OF THAT.
THE REASON WE GET AHEAD OF THOSE IS WE DON'T GET WHAT WE HAD BEFOREHAND WHERE INDIVIDUALS START WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE MARKET, AND THEN WE EITHER LOSE THEM, OR THERE'S THIS BIG DIFFERENTIAL.
YES, THAT WOULD BE IN THE BUDGET.
THEN WHAT WE DO WITH COLA AND MERIT IS COLA AND MERIT IS APPLIED ON TOP OF EVERY POSITION THAT'S ELIGIBLE.
EVERY EXISTING POSITION WOULD GET THE CURRENT 2.8 AND 3% MERIT ON TOP OF THEIR NEW RATE.
>> IF THAT'S WHAT THE COST IS THAT HR RECOMMENDS THAT THE TRUE VALUE FOR THE POSITION GIVEN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, CORRECT? YEAH. IN SOME CASES, IT'S SMALLER, BUT YES, THERE ARE SOME AT THE 20 GRAND RANGE.
>> WE DID HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THIS PAST WEEK, BUT I DON'T THINK WE GOT INTO A LOT OF THE RECLASSIFICATIONS, OR DID WE? I DIDN'T SEE THEM BECAUSE I DID FIND SEVERAL THROUGHOUT THE BOOK.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M THE ONLY ONE, BUT IF I AM, I'LL JUST TALK WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY I DON'T KNOW.
>> I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PIPE IN HERE A LITTLE BIT TO REQUEST THAT THIS NEW BUDGET AND ENHANCEMENT STAFF SHEET, GET REWORK.
YOU CAN SEE HOW MANY NOTES I HAVE ON THERE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AN ACCURATE COUNT HERE WITH PROPOSED SALARIES AND ALSO RECLASSIFICATIONS.
WE GET THAT BIG PICTURE OF TOTAL STAFF.
THEN IF YOU DON'T MIND, I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO ONE OF MY ORIGINAL POINTS ABOUT THE FLAT PROPERTY TAX RATE.
I THINK I HAD TO SEARCH MYSELF WHILE, SO I'D SAY BOTHERED BY THAT AS A POTENTIAL, I MAY BE THE ONLY ONE ON THIS BOARD WHO'S POTENTIALLY BOTHERED BY THAT, BUT I WANTED TO SUBSTANTIATE IT A LITTLE BIT AND THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE ALL HAD ON THE GROUND, SUPPORTING PROP 479, AND GIVING THE COUNTY THE ABILITY TO SPEND THE MONEY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
WELL, THAT CAME ALONG WITH THE PROMISE THAT PEOPLE'S TAXES WOULDN'T GO UP, THAT REALLY THAT WAS A PROPOSITION THAT WASN'T GOING TO RAISE TAXES.
[05:15:01]
IN THE FIRST BUDGET AFTER THAT TO RAISE TAXES, I THINK CREATES A CONFLICT FOR ME AND, WHAT I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH MY CONSTITUENTS ABOUT.I DEFINITELY TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT LIBRARY FUNDING.
I FEEL COMPLETELY CONFIDENT IN DEFENDING, FLATTENING OF THE LIBRARY DISTRICT TAX, BUT THERE WAS AN OPPOSITION IN HOW I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTY'S BUDGET AS A WHOLE.
AS I WAS ADVOCATING FOR PROP 479.
I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE BIT WHERE MY CONCERN OVER THIS CAME FROM, I JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT BECAUSE IT'S A PRETTY BIG IMPACT.
I'M HOPING THAT THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS TO EXPLORE BESIDES MERIT AND COLA WE HEARD ALL DAY LONG FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO STAFF.
I'M HOPING THAT CAN BE A PART OF OUR DISCUSSION NEXT WEEK.
MY UNDERSTANDING WHEN WE DID THE 479 WAS THAT WE HAD MONEY IN THERE AND IT WAS TO GIVE US MORE ABILITY TO USE THAT FUNDING.
BUT IT WAS TO DO FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
I'M LOOKING AT CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND I'M THINKING 479.
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M NOT THE BUDGET MANAGER THING HERE.
BUT THE OTHER PART IS THAT THE TAX RATE COULD STAY FLAT.
I DID TALK TO SOME OTHER DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THIS.
IF WE DON'T DO FLAT, IT WILL GO A LITTLE LOWER, I DID TALK WITH ZACH ABOUT THAT, AND THAT WOULD BE A CUT OF ABOUT $2 MILLION.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, AS I LOOK AT ALL OF US, WE WILL HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, WHAT DEPARTMENT ARE WE GOING TO CUT? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO TAKE THE MONEY FROM? THAT WILL BE US FIVE.
LOOKING AT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS WE'VE HAD TODAY UP FRONT HERE, WHETHER IT'S THE COURTS, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, ANY OF THAT.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT AND WE WEREN'T EVEN ABLE TO GET ALL THE REQUESTS THAT THEY NEEDED.
WHERE IS THAT CUT COMING FROM? THAT'S THE QUESTION.
THE 479, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS WAS WOULD GIVE US ABILITY TO DO CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHICH WE ALREADY KNOW, WE NEED A CAPITAL PROJECT IN CONGRESS.
WE NEED A CAPITAL PROJECT OVER IN THE SELIGMAN AREA.
I'M SURE THE VERDE IS NEEDING SOMETHING.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAD TALKED ABOUT A LOCATION MAYBE THAT WAS THOUGHT ABOUT A FEW YEARS BACK.
THEN I PERSONALLY IN MY DISTRICT, DO NOT HAVE A BUILDING TO PUT IN BUT I'M ADVOCATING FOR THE SHERIFF WHO WE TALKED ABOUT THAT, AND THEN REMODELING GERI, I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD BEFORE.
I HAVE SAT UP THERE, AND WE HAD A POINT WHEN WE USED TO HAVE AN APPEAL PROCESS.
LET ME TELL YOU, THAT WAS BRUTAL.
YOU WOULD SIT UP ON THAT DIAS, THEY WOULD COME TO THIS PODIUM, THEY WOULD TELL US THEIR NEED, AND THEN YOU WOULD SAY TO JUDGE NAPPER," WELL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THAT.
THEN THERE'S THE APPEAL PART WHERE THEY COME BACK, WHETHER IT'S DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OR SHERIFF, AND THEY COME BACK AND THEY LET YOU KNOW AGAIN.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS IT'S NOT STAFF GOING TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.
IF WE CHANGE THE FLAT TAX, WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DEPARTMENT ARE WE TAKING FROM AND WHO'S GOING TO GET THAT CUT ON THERE.
MERIT AND COLA CANNOT BE PART OF THAT.
IT CANNOT BE THAT WE TAKE AWAY AFTER CONSTANTLY HEARING WE NEED WORKFORCE, PEOPLE NEED HOUSING.
WELL, THAT CAN'T HAPPEN, I DON'T HAVE MANY ANSWERS.
>> IT CAN HAPPEN IF THREE OF US VOTED TO BE THAT WAY BUT I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
THAT'S NOT HOW I WOULD PREFER TO PROCEED.
[05:20:04]
I'D LIKE TO PROCEED IN A BALANCED FASHION.ONE OF THE FIRST NOTES I MADE WAS THAT WE DOUBLED OUR DEBT SERVICE BY $2,000,000.
THAT'S AN AREA THAT COULD BE EXPLORED.
I'M DEBT FREE. I'M ALL ABOUT PAYING OFF OUR DEBT.
THERE'S A LOT OF OPTIONS IN THESE NEW POSITIONS TO DISCUSS.
I WANT TO HAVE THAT TIME TO TALK THROUGH A BALANCED APPROACH SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST ONE DEPARTMENT OR ALL THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OR THE MERIT.
THERE'S PROBABLY A WAY TO GET TO DOING SOME GREAT WORK WITHOUT BEING AUSTERE AND ALSO NOT INCREASING THE BURDEN OUR CONSTITUENTS.
>> WHEN I SAY THAT CAN'T HAPPEN, YOU'RE RIGHT.
THREE VOTES, IT'S IN, I'M NOT SAYING THERE CAN'T BE THREE VOTES.
I JUST WON'T BE ONE OF THEM, AND THAT'S FINE.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER PLACES WE CAN LOOK TO SHAVE, TOO, AND I THINK THAT'S BY ACCURATELY COMMUNICATING OUR DESIRES TO THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, ALL THAT STUFF THROUGH MAURY, OF COURSE.
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, I THINK ONE THING THAT SOME OF US SHARE IS, WE DO NOT NEED A GRANDIOSE FACILITY.
NEED SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE, LONG LASTING, AND FUNCTIONAL AND SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PAY TO DESIGN ONE TIME.
WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO DESIGN FOUR OR FIVE TIMES THAT WE CAN PLOP DOWN AROUND THE COUNTY AND SOMETHING THAT'S LOW ON MAINTENANCE FOR ONGOING COSTS.
I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT OF THAT.
WE HAVE STAFF THAT IS MORE THAN QUALIFIED AND KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO DO THESE THINGS.
I THINK WE RELY ON THEM TO SEE WHAT IS NEEDS OR WHAT IS WANTS AND WHAT DO WE DESIRE CAUSE WE DON'T NEED SOMETHING WITH PILLARS OUT IN FRONT OF IT.
WE NEED SOMETHING THAT'S VERY USEFUL AND FUNCTIONAL, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE UGLY, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE GRAND, EITHER.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT GRAM, BUT AM I WRONG TO THINK THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE AREAS OF FUNDING BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE MY MIND IS.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CAPITAL, I WOULD SAY, DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE SLIDE THAT WE REVIEWED FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND THAT PROPOSED EXPENDITURE OF WHAT WAS $25 MILLION ON ROADS, TALKING ABOUT THE EXPENDITURE LIMIT AND TALKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THAT WAS REALLY THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE WERE TALKING TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT, OUR INABILITY TO SPEND THE MONEY WE HAD CURRENTLY TO MAINTAIN OUR ROAD NETWORK, AND THAT REALLY RESONATED.
WE ARE NOW ABLE TO POINT TO THE EXPENDITURE LIMIT RAISE WITH THAT EXPENDITURE, WE'VE GOT THE ABILITY TO ADDRESS OUR ROAD NETWORK.
ADDITION TO THE OTHER CAPITAL THINGS YOU SAID, BUT FOR ME, THAT WAS A NUMBER 1 TALKING POINT IN THE COMMUNITY.
FINALLY, I WOULD SAY, SECONDLY, IF THE BOARD DECIDES THAT THEY'RE STAYING WITH THE MERIT IN COLA, THE NEXT PLACE I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK ARE THE PROPOSED NEW POSITIONS.
THERE WERE 26 PROPOSED, THAT'S ABOUT A LITTLE OVER $2 MILLION.
THAT'S IT. THAT WOULD MEAN NO NEW POSITIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT ALSO INCLUDED THE DEPUTIES REQUESTED FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WHEN WE WERE TALKING TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE EXPENDITURE LIMIT.
THAT WAS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM.
THEY TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
JUST TO MAKE YOUR JOBS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO GET THROUGH, TOO, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THINGS ARE GETTING SHOOK UP ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.
I'M HOPING THAT NEXT YEAR THEY SETTLE DOWN WHEN WE COME TO TALK ABOUT ALL THIS NEXT YEAR, WE KNOW WHO'S GETTING GRANTS, WHO'S NOT GETTING GRANTS.
IS THE FOREST SERVICE GOING TO COME BACK ONLINE AS A PARTNER BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE FUNDING? I THINK THAT THE FUTURE IS VERY UNSURE.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH, AND I THINK WE'LL BE BETTER OFF ON THE OTHER SIDE, BUT WHAT WE LOOK LIKE IN THE MEANTIME, WHO KNOWS?
>> MADAM CHAIR, I'VE BEEN VOCAL ON THE FLAT TAX MY PERSPECTIVE ON IT IF I AM THE ONLY ONE, I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE OUR STAFF DO AS MUCH WORK AS THEY MIGHT BEFORE TUESDAY.
I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT AWKWARD, BUT I WANTED TO POSE THAT I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT'S BEING VOCAL ON THIS RIGHT NOW, SO YOU'LL HAVE TO WEIGH IN.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IF FOR SOME REASON, THIS MIGHT BE THE ROLE OF THE BOARD TO GO AT THE TAX, THE FLAT TAX, THEN WE MAY NOT DO THESE CONTRIBUTIONS AND HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR COUNTY.
YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? THIS IS OUR HOUSE.
YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO $150,000 TOWARD THIS IS A FABULOUS THING WHAT YOU JUST BROUGHT AND THEN THERE'S THE MEALS ON WHEELS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE.
>> NONE OF THOSE INCREASES ARE CURRENTLY IN THE BUDGET.
[05:25:01]
>> CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I CAN'T EVEN TELL IF I HAVE A MICROPHONE OR NOT.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE LIST, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE IS FOR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.
I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE THAT OFF THE TABLE FOR THE MOMENT AND SAY, OTHER THAN THAT, THERE'S 100,000 IN INCREASES PLUS $150,000 REQUEST FOR THE LAND ACQUISITION.
I ALSO SENT SUPPORT AMONGST THIS BOARD FOR AT LEAST STARTING THE PROGRAM SUGGESTED BY THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH WOULD BE ANOTHER ANOTHER $100,000 THE FIRST YEAR.
THAT'S ANOTHER $350,000 THAT HAS NOT EVEN INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
JUST THE GAP IS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WHAT'S BEING DISCUSSED.
>> WE GOT $370,000 SAVED, THANKS TO EMULSION FOR THE ROOFS.
>> WE MIGHT HAVE SPENT THAT A FEW TIMES OVER.
>> I WOULD COMMENT, THERE ARE SOME OTHER PICKUPS, IF YOU WILL, THAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED THIS WEEK AND I OFFER UP THE ASSISTANT TO POSITION, THAT'S COMING OUT.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS THAT I THINK WE'VE TRACKED AND IDENTIFIED THAT ARE SOME SAVINGS.
WE'VE GOT SOME OFFSETS HERE, TOO.
BUT I THINK SUPERVISOR CHEG, I APPRECIATE YOU POSING THE QUESTION BECAUSE IT WILL CHANGE [LAUGHTER] THE WORKLOAD DRASTICALLY.
IF THE BOARD'S WILLING TO SAY WHERE YOU'RE LEANING AT LEAST, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> THANK YOU. MAYBE A DIFFERENT POSING OF THAT QUESTION IS, DO YOU WANT TO SEE THOSE OPTIONS EXPLORED?
>> THE OPTIONS OF NOT FLATTENING THE TAX RATE?
>> I DON'T EVEN SEE HOW THAT'S POSSIBLE.
>> WELL, YOU CAN TELL ME IN YOUR MIND HOW YOU FEEL IT'S POSSIBLE, BUT IN MY MIND, I DON'T SEE HOW IT'S POSSIBLE.
GIVEN THE REQUESTS AND THE SINCERITY OF A LOT OF THE REQUESTS AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, SUPERVISOR KOKO IS TALKING ABOUT, AND OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF KEEP THE TAX BEING FLAT IF YOU WANTED MY OPINION.
>> I HAVE TO THINK A SECOND BEFORE I SAY.
THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS TO ANY BUDGET.
THIS IS A LOT MORE MOVING PARTS THAN I'M EVEN USED TO, AND I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR NINE STRAIGHT YEARS.
WITH THE VOLATILITY OF DC POLITICS, I'M VERY CONCERNED, AND I ASKED IT.
I WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT SENT A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS IN BECAUSE I DO MY BEST THINKING IN THE MORNING.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS, WHAT PERCENT OF THIS BUDGET IS RELIANT ON GRANTS? BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD FROM THE LEGISLATURE, WE'VE HEARD FROM SENATOR KELLY, THAT'S A BIG UNKNOWN FOR ME.
TO PUT THE RISK OUT THERE OF REDUCING TAX, AND I THINK THE FIGURES LIKE 2.2 MILLION THAT WOULD BE A SAVINGS TO PROPERTY OWNERS, CORRECT? MY PERSPECTIVE AND BEAR WITH ME IS DIVIDING THAT NUMBER TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS, IT IS A SAVINGS, BUT IT'S NOT A HUGE SAVINGS COMPARED TO TAKING $2.2 MILLION AND DIVIDING IT BY THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.
THAT IS INTO THE THOUSANDS FOR EACH EMPLOYEE, IF YOU CAN TRACK WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS.
THAT'S NOT EVEN ADDRESSING THESE OTHER NUMBERS THAT AREN'T EVEN IN THE BUDGET YET THAT WE NEED TO FIND.
THERE'S ALWAYS A OPTION AT LEAST FROM COUNCILS THAT I'VE BEEN ON IS TO DIP INTO RESERVES.
THAT'S THE LAST THING WE USUALLY WANT TO DO.
IT'S A BAD PRECEDENCE TO START BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN A BALANCED BUDGET.
I BELIEVE IN WHEN STAFF GOES TO THE MANY HOURS THAT YOU HAVE PUT INTO BRINGING THIS BUDGET TO ME, I PUT A LOT OF WEIGHT IN YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS.
CERTAINLY, IT IS OUR DECISION ULTIMATELY, AND THERE ARE SOME A FEW MOVING PARTS THAT WE HAVE TO DISCUSS GOING FORWARD.
BUT FOR ME, I DON'T WANT ONE OF THE MOVING PARTS TO REFIGURE ON A TAX BASE.
[05:30:01]
THAT'S MY OPINION.I DON'T WANT TO THROW THAT BURDEN ON YOU.
THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
CAMP VERDE DOES NOT HAVE A PROPERTY TAX.
I AM NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, BUT IF YOU AS A PROPERTY OWNER, IF YOU REDUCE MY TAX BY, MAYBE IT'S $50, MAYBE IT'S $100 AND THEN NEXT YEAR, WE GOT TO COME BACK AND IT'S NOT WORKING FOR US, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO NOTHING BUT GROW.
THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET HERE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
I DON'T WANT TO BE A SUPERVISOR THAT HAS TO GO BACK OUT AND AND SELL THE TAX RATE GOING UP.
FOR ME, IT'S EASIER SALE TO SAY, YOUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY IS GOING UP, RATHER THAN ME SAY, YOUR TAXES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE AS A SUPERVISOR, I DID SOMETHING TO THE TAX RATE.
THAT'S A CONVERSATION I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO HAVE WITH PROPERTY OWNERS OR CITIZENS OR ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS. JUST MY OPINION.
I KNOW I'M A NEWBIE, BUT I'M REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT MAINTAINING STAFF.
I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE COUNTY HAD.
MY JURISDICTION WHERE I USED TO WORK HAD THE SAME THING.
IT LITERALLY TOOK US YEARS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO GET FOLKS UP TO A COMPETITIVE PAY.
WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THOSE FOLKS AND I AM VERY MUCH IMPRESSED WITH ALL OF THE STAFF THAT HAS COME BEFORE ME TODAY.
THEY WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE, PROFESSIONAL, COULD ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
THAT IS THE ASSET TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND TO EVERYBODY THAT LIVES HERE IS THE STAFF THAT SUPPORTS ALL OF US.
>> WHAT WAS OUR ATTRITION RATE LAST YEAR? IT WAS 25%?
>> I'D HAVE TO LOOK, SUPERVISOR. I DON'T HAVE THAT.
>> BUT WHAT DOES IT COST TO RETRAIN THOSE PEOPLE AND BRING ON NEW PEOPLE AND GET THEM UP TO SPEED? IS THERE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD OF EITHER? WHAT IF WE TOOK SOME OF THE RESERVES THAT SEEM LIKE THEY'RE MAXED OUT? DO WE USE THAT TO PAY DOWN DEBT? IF WE DO PAY DOWN THAT DEBT, WHAT DOES THAT SAVE US IN AN INTEREST PAYMENTS GOING OUT THAT WE REALLY GET NOTHING FOR? I JUST WANT TO GIVE STAFF THE FREEDOM TO COME UP WITH SOME CREATIVE IDEAS THAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY.
I'D LIKE TO SEE OUR TAX RATE REMAIN THE SAME.
I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD GO UP.
REALLY, I WANT TO GET THROUGH THIS YEAR AND SEE WHAT NEXT YEAR LOOKS LIKE.
I KNOW THAT THE TAX RATE THE SAME IS AN INCREASE IN TAXES. THERE'S THAT.
BUT I JUST I GUESS I WANT TO ALSO JUST SUBSTANTIATE A LITTLE BIT MORE WHERE I'M COMING FROM.
THERE'S NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
WE ARE NOT SITTING HERE TODAY REPRESENTING YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WE ARE HERE TODAY REPRESENTING THE TAXPAYERS, ESSENTIALLY, IN MY VIEW, IN MY OPINION.
THAT'S WHY WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME IN THE COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE PRIORITIES ARE FOR PEOPLE.
FOR ME, I'M NOT HEARING THAT A 5-15% EXPANSION FOR EVERY ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND RAISES AND COLAS FOR EVERYONE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, ESPECIALLY IF WE'RE GOING TO GO AND ASK FOR ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.
IT MIGHT ONLY BE A $20 INCREASE PER PARCEL, BUT THE AMOUNT OF ASKS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET AS THINGS TIGHTEN DOWN IS GOING TO BE SINCERE.
HOW MANY GOFUNDMES? I JUST WAS AT THE HOSPITAL'S FUNDRAISER LAST NIGHT.
THERE'S AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF ASKS OF THINGS THAT AREN'T GOING TO BE COVERED.
THE OTHER THING IS I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO PEOPLE AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY UNLESS WE REALLY CAN'T COVER WHAT STATUTORILY WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO.
I JUST THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT FACTOR, AND WE MIGHT GET THERE.
I THINK ANOTHER THING ABOUT BUILDING A BUDGET THAT STAYS WITH THE SAME ASK OF CONSTITUENTS IS THAT IF BY AUGUST, SOMETHING DRASTICALLY HAS SHIFTED WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT'S GOING TO CREATE A NEED, THEN I FEEL COMFORTABLE MAKING THAT ASK BECAUSE IT'S REALLY OUT OF A TRUE NEED.
THAT'S WHERE MY COMFORT IS IN ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FROM OUR CONSTITUENCIES WHEN WE REALLY
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CAN'T COVER THE COSTS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO OR WHEN A HUGE GAP IS OPENED UP BY ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE SUCH AS THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.>> NO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SUPERVISOR.
THEY WERE HELPFUL AND THANK YOU FOR GENERATING THIS CONVERSATION.
I THINK IT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND QUITE FRANKLY NEEDED TO GIVE US SOME DIRECTION.
I THINK WE'RE HEARING. YOU SAID WHAT THE DIRECTION IS.
I THINK SUPERVISOR JENKINS, YOU SAID THERE'S A LOT OF LITTLE PIECES OR YOU DIDN'T SAY LITTLE PIECES STILL IN MOVEMENT.
BUT I WOULD SAY MOST OF THOSE THAT ARE MOVING RIGHT NOW ARE RELATIVELY SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THE ISSUE.
I THINK SUPERVISOR CHECK'S RIGHT.
ON ONE HAND, IT'S A FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD DECISION, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THAT? AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS AND I'M SENSING DIRECTION.
>> DO WE WANT TO TELL JED TO STOP TRACKING PROPERTY VALUES? WHEN WE SLOW DOWN GROWTH, THAT'S A LOT LESS PROPERTY BILLS GOING OUT AS WELL, SO IT'S GOING TO BE ON TO MORE PEOPLE.
I JUST THINK THERE'S SOME OTHER WAYS.
I WOULD LOVE TO JUST HAVE ZACH GO CRAZY AND FIGURE OUT OTHER CRAZY WAYS OF US TO SHAVE OR MAKE MORE MONEY ON THE MONEY THAT WE GOT.
WITH OUR EXPENSES, OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, LET'S SEE HOW WE CAN DO THAT BETTER.
>> I STILL DON'T HAVE ANY CLARITY.
AM I TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINGS? WE DID THE EXPENDITURE LIMITATION.
WHAT IS THAT MONEY FOR? IS IT ONLY FOR THE CAPITAL? WHAT IS THAT?
>> GREAT QUESTION. THE CAPITAL DOLLARS IN SOME IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE COUNTY USED TO TRANSFER MORE OF GENERAL FUND DOLLARS TO COVER CAPITAL PROJECTS.
IN THIS NEXT YEAR, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ADJUSTED A LITTLE BIT MORE IS SO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND GETS 15% OF THE EXCISE DOLLARS THAT GO IN THERE TO EXCEED MONEY FOR ONGOING PROJECTS ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS.
FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, THOUGH THERE'S A NUMBER OF PROJECTS WE'RE LOOKING TO MOVE INTO BY PAYING OFF DEBT THIS YEAR.
THAT FREED UP SOME DOLLARS THERE.
WE'RE LOOKING TO PAY OFF OR PAY THE MAJORITY OF CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH CAPITAL PROJECTS DESIGNATING FUNDING.
I NEED A DOUBLE CHECK, BUT I THINK THERE'S ABOUT MAYBE 500,000 THAT WE'RE TRANSFERRING FROM THE GENERAL FUND INTO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND.
IF WE WERE TO DELAY A PROJECT, SAY, ONE OF THE PROJECTS BY A YEAR, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PICK UP $500,000 THERE.
I CAN DOUBLE CHECK, BUT THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THE OTHER DOLLARS ARE SEGREGATED BECAUSE THEY'RE CAPITAL DOLLARS THAT WE SEGREGATE FOR CAPITAL USE.
>> WE'LL STILL DEAL WITH INFLATION.
INFLATION AND THE COST OF WHAT WE BUILD TODAY AND WHAT WE BUILD NEXT YEAR COULD BE DRASTICALLY A LOT MORE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY, THAT WE'VE GOT THIS CAPITAL MONEY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, CHAIR. I WOULD REMIND YOU, THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE STARTED ON TUESDAY MORNING.
I MADE A STATEMENT TO THAT EFFECT THAT I THINK THERE WAS SOME REAL MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE EXPENDITURE LIMIT THAT THAT WAS JUST GOING TO CHANGE OUR ONGOING REVENUE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.
AGAIN, IT ALLOWED US TO ACCESS OUR RESERVES, WHICH, AGAIN, WE'RE QUITE HEALTHY, STILL ARE VERY HEALTHY TO UTILIZE THOSE AS THE BOARD MIGHT DIRECT FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, BUT IT DIDN'T CHANGE OUR ANNUAL REVENUE.
TO GET TO STRUCTURALLY BALANCED BUDGET, YOU NEED TO MATCH ONGOING EXPENDITURES, STAFF, PRIMARILY IS ONE OF THOSE WITH ONGOING REVENUE STREAMS, NOT THOSE ONE TIME DOLLARS.
THOSE ARE FOR ONE TIME NEEDS THAT THE BOARD MIGHT DESIGNATE. DOES THAT HELP?
>> THAT'S FINE. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD IT WRONG.
I JUST DON'T SEE WHERE I CAN THIS MONEY IS FOR THIS, AND THAT MONEY IS FOR THAT.
I THINK I GOT THAT PART RIGHT.
THE REST IS VERY FOGGY, BUT I'M GOOD WITH THAT.
>> WE GOT TO LOOK OUT FOR SHORT TERM GAINS, BUT LONG TERM LOSSES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PAVEMENT PRESERVATION, AND HE WAS SAYING, WE COULD SPEND FIVE DOLLARS A YARD TO PRESERVE IT OR $95 A YARD TO FIX IT.
IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE ROADS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, GOING OVER THE HILL TO JEROME, THAT THING IS FALLING APART.
IT'S GOING TO BE SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX THAT.
IF MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SPENT BY THE STATE TO PRESERVE THAT PAVEMENT, WOULD THEY BE IN BETTER SHAPE NOW? THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.
YET, DO WE WANT TO RETRAIN PEOPLE? I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COSTS TO TRAIN AN ENGINEER FOR THE POSITION.
BUT I KNOW IN SOME OF THE FACTORY JOBS I HAD TO BRING THEM UP TO SPEED, IT WAS $9,000 JUST TO TRAIN SOMEBODY.
HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO SAVE IF WE DON'T KEEP THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE GOT?
>> I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO THE EXPENDITURE LIMITATION BECAUSE I BROUGHT IT UP.
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE AGAINST PROP 479,
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I THINK THEY UNDERSTOOD IT WASN'T A DIRECT TAX, BUT THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS WAS IF THE COUNTY CAN SPEND MORE MONEY, THEY WILL ASK US FOR MORE MONEY.BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ASK OUR CONSTITUENTS FOR THAT EXPENDITURE LIMITATION, AGAIN AND AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT NARRATIVE SOLIDIFIED.
>> I THINK SUPERVISOR CHECK THAT, MAYBE I'M WRONG HERE.
IS THIS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE EVER ASKED FOR THIS AND ALSO THAT IT SHOULD HOLD US AT LEAST ANOTHER 12 YEARS?
>> YOU JUST READ MY MIND AS WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.
>> I JUST WANT TO SUM ONE THING UP IN THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT THE BUDGET AND THAT I DO LOOK AT IT AS MY OWN CHECKBOOK.
THIS IS ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY THAT WE MUST SPEND IN THE WISEST FASHION THAT WE CAN, BUT WE HAVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE TO DO THE BEST JOB THAT WE CAN WITH THEIR MONEY.
THAT'S THE WAY I ALWAYS LOOK AT THE BUDGET.
I'M USED TO LOOKING AT IT VERY DETAILED.
I LIKE LOOKING AT IT THIS WAY, BUT MY PHILOSOPHY DOESN'T CHANGE HOWEVER YOU BRING THIS TO ME, MY PHILOSOPHY STAYS THE SAME.
THIS IS THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY, AND I ALWAYS WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NEEDS AND WHAT THEY DESERVE AS TAXPAYERS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MENTION ONE OF THE PARTIAL ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION THAT SUPERVISOR JENKINS POSED EARLIER THIS MORNING WAS ABOUT THE GRANT FUND POSITIONS.
GIVEN OUR ACCOUNT STRUCTURE, I CAN'T PARSE IT OUT FOR YOU DIRECTLY, I CAN'T RIGHT NOW, BUT WE'RE WORKING ON ACTUALLY BEHIND THE SCENES.
SHOUT OUT TO CONNIE. SHE'S AMAZING BEHIND THE SCENES.
SHE'S HELPING ME OUT WITH THAT.
BUT WHAT I CAN'T GIVE YOU IS THE SPECIAL REVENUE.
WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN DAY 1, SPECIAL REVENUE ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE REPRESENTS 43% OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES.
THAT'S WITH THE TRANSFERS INS AND OUTS.
SORRY, IN THIS CASE, IT'S EXPENDITURES, SO THE TRANSFERS OUT IS REMOVED.
THAT MEANS THERE'S NO INTRA FUND TRANSFERS.
ONE OF THERE IS JUST TO NOTE THERE, A LOT OF THESE WILL BE HURT PROJECTS.
THE PENT UP DEMAND THAT THEY'VE BEEN SITTING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE BUDGET.
I THINK WHAT WE'RE LOOKING WITH THE PROPERTY TAX RATE WON'T IMPACT THAT DIRECTLY BECAUSE THOSE DOLLARS ARE ALREADY IN FUND BALANCE.
THEY NOW HAVE THE CAPACITY BY WHICH THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD, I BELIEVE, IT IS $25 MILLION AND $23 MILLION OF PROJECTS UNTIL THEY SCALE DOWN TO MORE OF THE $14 MILLION THAT WE BRING IN ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS.
PART OF THIS NEXT YEAR WILL BE REPOSITIONING THOSE DOLLARS SO THAT THEY CAN BE SPENT, BUT WE CAN LOOK INTO THE GRANT SIDE AS WELL FOR YOU.
>> YOU WERE WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT HRF THEN.
BUT OF COURSE, WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH PART OF THE TALK OUT THERE AS WE WERE OUT THERE, IT WAS ROADS, AND, OF COURSE, SAFETY.
>> THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WILL BE FUNDING, I NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AGAIN.
FIFTY PERCENT OF OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND COURTS.
TODAY, THEY WERE I BELIEVE THE CONGLOMERATION OF THE COURTS, I THINK, FROM BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS, THERE'S REPRESENTED ABOUT $900,000.
THE SHERIFFS REPRESENTED $3.2 MILLION.
THOSE TWO DEPARTMENTS ALONE, $4.1 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.
THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN THE BUDGET IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND WITHIN THE COURT SYSTEM.
>> MADAM CHAIR, APOLOGIES, BUT I HAVE TO GO.
>> YES. I THINK WE'RE DONE ANYWAY.
WE ARE ALL DONE WITH OUR STUDY SESSION, AND THIS ENDS THE MEETING, CORRECT? DO I HAVE TO DO A MOTION AND END MEETING AND ALL THAT? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> THEN WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
>> MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.