[ CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:07]
>> [NOISE] WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2025.
I NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
DEAR LORD, WE GATHER HERE TODAY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE FREEDOMS THAT HAVE BEEN PAID BY THOSE THAT HAVE COME BEFORE US.
LET US DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE, DO THE BEST JOB THAT WE CAN, AND BE MINDFUL THAT THESE LIBERTIES AND FREEDOMS ABSOLUTELY ARE VERY PRECIOUS GIFTS TO ALL OF US IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.
>> AMEN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE.
>> I'LL REACH TO THE CLERK OF THE BOARD FOR ROLL CALL.
>> SUPERVISOR KUKNYO IS ABSENT, AND YOU HAVE A QUORUM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 1, AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS.
[ AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS ]
APPROVED PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH THE 23RD, 2025 AS CONSTITUTIONAL WEEK. GOOD MORNING, TYLER.>> GOOD MORNING CHAIR, VICE CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY MICROPHONE, THERE WE GO. IT SAID IT WAS ON. NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ON.
CONSTITUTION WEEK. WHEREAS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE GUARDIAN OF OUR LIBERTIES, EMBODIES THE PRINCIPLES OF LIMITED GOVERNMENT IN A REPUBLIC DEDICATED TO THE RULE OF LAW, AND WHEREAS SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2025 MARKS THE 238TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRAMING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
WHEREAS IT IS FITTING AND PROPER TO ACCORD OFFICIAL RECOGNITION TO THIS MAGNIFICENT DOCUMENT AND ITS MEMORABLE ANNIVERSARY, AND TO THE PATRIOTIC CELEBRATIONS, WHICH WILL COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION, AND WHEREAS THE YAVAPAI COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO REAFFIRM THE IDEALS EXPRESSED BY THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION IN 1787, BY VIGILANTLY PROTECTING THE FREEDOMS GUARANTEED TO US THROUGH THE CONSTITUTION, AND BY FULFILLING THE SOLEMN DUTIES THAT COME WITH THOSE FREEDOMS TO SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT OUR COUNTRY, OUR STATE, AND OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.
WHEREAS PUBLIC LAW, 915 GUARANTEES ISSUING AN ANNUAL PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH 23RD AS CONSTITUTION WEEK.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE YAVAPAI COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH THE 23RD, 2025 AS CONSTITUTION WEEK IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD, ON BEHALF OF THE YAVAPAI COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SETS FOR HAND AND CAUSES THE SEAL OF THE COUNTY OF YAVAPAI, ARIZONA TO BE A FIXED ON THE THIRD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025.
>> THANK YOU, TYLER, AND JUST CHECKING TO SEE IF WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS SPEAKING TO ORDINANCE?
>> WE DO. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP SUSIE NEAL, THE REGENT FOR THE YAVAPAI CHAPTER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND SALLY LORETTE AND BETSY BIKIRK, FROM THE GENERAL GEORGE CROOK, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PRESCOTT CHAPTER. I'LL INVITE THEM UP.
>> WELCOME, LADIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I AM BETSY BIKIRK OF PAST REGA OF THE GENERAL GEORGE CROOK CHAPTER.
ON BEHALF OF THE 5TH CHAPTER IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA FORMED IN 1927, HERE IN PRESCO THE GENERAL GEORGE CROOK CHAPTER VERY APPRECIATES ITS PROCLAMATION HONORING OUR CONSTITUTION.
>> I'M SUSIE NEAL WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] CHAPTER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU FOR ACCEPTING THE PROCLAMATION, KNOWING THAT THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ARE FOCUSED ON HISTORY AS WELL AS EDUCATION AND PATRIOTISM.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR US TO SHOW OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
[00:05:01]
I'M VERY PROUD OF MY ANCESTOR.
HE FOUGHT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, AND HE WAS A FARMER NEAR BOSTON.
HE WOULD HE AND HIS SON WOULD GO AHEAD AND JOIN GEORGE WASHINGTON OR WHOEVER WAS BATTLING NEAR HIM, AND THEY THEY WOULD CALL HIM THE MINUTEMAN.
I'M VERY PROUD OF MY ANCESTORS AND TO BE PRIVILEGED TO LIVE IN AMERICA.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NOW, TYLER, I KNOW THAT WE USUALLY DO PICTURES.. WE WILL DO PICTURES WHEN WE'RE DONE?
>> YES. WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION, BUT WE'D ASK THESE NICE LADIES TO STICK AROUND FOR A PICTURE AFTER THAT.
>> YES, PLEASE DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MADAM CHAIR, MAY I SAY A WORD OR TWO ON THAT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT YOU BROUGHT THIS PROCLAMATION FORWARD TO US.
I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I PERSONALLY FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR FOUNDING PRINCIPLES.
IT'S NOT A DEAD DOCUMENT IN ANY WAY, THE WAY THAT IT'S INTERPRETED AND APPLIED IN OUR WORK EVERY DAY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT REFLECTED THROUGH THE BOARD.
>> NO, I JUST, MADAM CHAIR, I PROUDLY MOVED TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, AND WE HAVE A SECOND. SUPERVISOR CHECK?
>> THE PROCLAMATION IS APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, TYLER.
>> OUR NEXT ONE IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.
WHEREAS YAVAPAI COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARING ITS HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES FOR ANY EMERGENCY THAT MAY ARISE, INCLUDING NATURAL DISASTERS, HUMAN CAUSE HAZARDS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES, AND WHEREAS THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL RESIDENTS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY ARE PARAMOUNT, AND THE PREPARATION FOR SUCH EMERGENCIES COUPLED WITH KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICAL STEPS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE RISKS AND IMPACTS ON OUR LIVES, AND WHEREAS YAVAPAI COUNTY ENCOURAGES ITS CITIZENS TO TAKE ACTION BY PREPARING EMERGENCY KITS, MAKING AND PRACTICING FAMILY EMERGENCY PLANS, STAYING INFORMED ABOUT THE RISKS IN OUR REGION, VOLUNTEERING IN LOCAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ORGANIZATIONS, AND GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS, AND WHEREAS YAVAPAI COUNTY SUBSCRIBES TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY APPROACH TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RECOGNIZING THAT IT TAKES THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL, HOUSEHOLD, BUSINESS, AND ORGANIZATION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO EFFECTIVELY PREPARE FOR, RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM ALL TYPES OF EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS, AND WHEREAS YAVAPAI COUNTY COMMITS TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF PREPAREDNESS THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AIMING TO EMPOWER EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WITHIN OUR COUNTY TO BE MORE RESILIENT AND SELF RELIANT IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES, AND WHEREAS, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND FAMILIES, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO CREATING A PREPARED AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE YAVAPAI COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECOGNIZES THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2025 AS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES AND TO ACT TOWARDS ENHANCING THEIR PREPAREDNESS BY DEVELOPING EMERGENCY PLANS AND KITS.
WITNESS THEREOF, THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD, ON BEHALF OF THE YAVAPAI COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, SETS HER HAND AND CAUSES THE SEAL OF THE COUNTY OF YAVAPAI, ARIZONA TO BE A FIXED ON THE THIRD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025.
>> THANK YOU, TYLER. IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT'S GOING TO SPEAK OR RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION?
>> WE'LL INVITE ASHLEY ALCEST OUR EMERGENCY MANAGER UP TO SPEAK FOR A MOMENT.
>> OKAY THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, ASHLEY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, SUPERVISORS.
I'M ASHLEY ALCEST EMERGENCY MANAGER., AND WITH ME TODAY, I'M PROUD TO PRESENT MY TEAM, JOHN JONES, OUR DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGER, FRED HEGESTAD, OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, AND KATIE GREEN, OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST.
WE DID RECENTLY JUST HIRE A SEASONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, HEATHER VINSON, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.
FOR US AT THE YAVAPAI COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME TO REFLECT ON HOW WE PREPARE AS A COUNTY AND HOW EACH OF US CAN PREPARE AS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORS.
OUR OFFICE'S MISSION IS SIMPLE, BUT CRITICAL TO HELP THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BE READY FOR, RESPOND TO, AND RECOVER FROM EMERGENCIES.
WE DO THAT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
WE BUILD AND MAINTAIN COUNTY WIDE EMERGENCY PLANS THAT ADDRESS THE HAZARDS WE FACE.
WE COORDINATE TRAINING AND EXERCISES WITH FIRST RESPONDERS, CITIES AND TOWNS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS SO THAT WAY WHEN SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN, WE'RE NOT MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A CRISIS.
WE WORK EVERY DAY TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS, WHETHER IT'S WITH UTILITY PROVIDERS, VOLUNTEER GROUPS, NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT RESOURCES ARE IN PLACE BEFORE THEY ARE EVER NEEDED.
PREPAREDNESS IS NOT SOMETHING THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO ALONE.
TRUE RESILIENCE HAPPENS WHEN OUR RESIDENTS
[00:10:03]
ARE JUST AS READY AT HOME AS WE ARE AT THE COUNTY.THAT STARTS WITH A FEW BUT POWERFUL STEPS.
WE ASK THAT RESIDENTS KNOW THEIR ZONE, SO THEY'RE READY TO EVACUATE SAFELY IF A FIRE OR FLOOD THREATENS THEIR AREA.
WE ASK THAT THEY SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS AS THOSE FEW MINUTES OF WARNING CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
WE NOW ASK INSTEAD OF THREE DAYS THAT RESIDENTS HAVE A TWO WEEK EMERGENCY KIT WITH FOOD, WATER, MEDICATIONS, PET SUPPLIES, AND COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAKE A PLAN WITH YOUR FAMILY SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO.
PREPAREDNESS MEANS LOOKING BEYOND YOUR FRONT DOOR.
EMERGENCIES RARELY AFFECT JUST ONE HOUSEHOLD.
CHECK IN ON YOUR NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, OR THOSE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION.
A SIMPLE CONVERSATION NOW CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE LATER, AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET MORE INVOLVED, VOLUNTEERISM IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COUNTY.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS THAT FALL UNDER THE COUNTY UMBRELLA, AS WELL AS OUR NON GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS.
GIVEN YOUR TIME AND SKILLS, NOT ONLY HELPS OTHERS, BUT IT BUILDS A CONNECTIONS THAT MAKE US RECOVER FASTER AND STRONGER.
ONE LAST POINT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE AS MITIGATION IS THE STEPS WE TAKE TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF FUTURE DISASTERS.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT FOR EVERY $1 SPENT ON MITIGATION, COMMUNITIES CAN SAVE AN AVERAGE OF $6 IN RECOVERY COSTS.
THAT MEANS CLEARING DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND YOUR HOME, IMPROVING DRAINAGE, OR MAKING YOUR PROPERTY MORE FIRE RESISTANT.
THIS NOT ONLY PROTECTS YOUR FAMILY, BUT ALSO REDUCES A STRAIN ON THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WHEN A DISASTER STRIKES.
IT IS AN INVESTMENT THAT PAYS OFF MANY TIMES OVER.
PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION ARE TRULY TEAM EFFORTS.
WHEN OUR OFFICE, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND OUR RESIDENTS, ALL TAKES STEPS TO BE READY.
WE CREATE A SAFETY NET THAT'S MORE STRONGER THAN ANY SINGLE PIECE ON ITS OWN.
TOGETHER, WE CAN FACE CHALLENGES AND COME THROUGH THEM MORE RESILIENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ASHLEY. I WILL SAY JUST RECENTLY, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON A VACATION AT THE BEACH.. OF COURSE, WE WERE GIVEN NOTICE THERE WAS THIS VERY LARGE EARTHQUAKE OVER BY RUSSIA.
NEXT THING I KNOW, I GET A TEXT MESSAGE FROM THE LOBBY BECAUSE THE BEACH WAS LIKE WHERE THE WALL IS.
THEY SAID, WE ARE ON WATCH, AND SO WE ARE LITERALLY PUTTING TOGETHER IN OUR BACKPACKS, THE BEST STUFF THAT WE COULD THINK OF, AND WE DID NOT DRIVE THERE I SAID, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START WALKING.
IF WE MOVE ONE MORE STEP, WE HAVE TO GET TO THAT HILL.
IT WAS IRONIC BUT BEING PREPARED, WE WERE NOT PREPARED SO IT WAS A LITTLE PANICKY, BUT ANYWAY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT ALL THE TIME, AND EVEN AT HOME NOW, WE ALWAYS HAVE SET JUST IN CASE.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND. SUPERVISOR CHECK?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'RE DOING PICTURES.
[00:15:33]
>> WE'LL MOVE ON TO PRESENTATIONS.
[1. Human Resources - Presentation in recognition of Yavapai County employees with a 25-year or more work anniversary between July 2025 and September 2025.]
ITEM NUMBER 1.>> GOOD MORNING. WE ARE EXCITED TO CELEBRATE OUR EMPLOYEES TODAY SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M WENDY ROSS, YOUR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY TO ASSIST YOU IN RECOGNIZING COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE REACHED A MILESTONE WORK ANNIVERSARY OF 25 YEARS OR MORE DURING THE MONTHS OF JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM HERE TODAY, ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND LEADERSHIP FROM THE DEPARTMENTS TO SAY A FEW WORDS IN RECOGNITION, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT AT THE END, WE'LL HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.
>> WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S START WITH OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECEIVING RECOGNITION TODAY.
HE'S A DEPUTY SHERIFF, HITTING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE DURING THE MONTH OF JULY.
I BELIEVE CHIEF DEPUTY NUNAM IS HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> WELCOME. GOOD TO SEE YOU, JEFF.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M THE CHIEF DEPUTY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I SPEAK AT A GREAT DEAL OF FUNCTIONS, AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM STANDING UP AND SPEAKING BEFORE OUR COMMUNITY.
TODAY, I'M HUMBLED TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE TWO EMPLOYEES THAT WE'RE RECOGNIZING TODAY, WHICH I'D LIKE FOR THEM TO BOTH TO COME UP.
WE HAVE DEPUTY AARON RUSSELL AND CRYSTAL JOHNSON, WHO'S IN THE BACK.
YOU GUYS COME ON UP HERE FOR A SECOND, BUT I'M ALSO I'M HUMBLE BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF MEMBERS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT SERVE EVERY DAY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE HAVE MANY MEMBERS HERE THAT HAVE RETIRED FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND SO WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT ALSO REFLECTS THEIR SERVICE, BUT WE HAVE JENNIFER GRAY, OVER HERE, WHO SPENT 20 YEARS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE HAVE STEVE WARBURTON, WHO'S A LIEUTENANT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CURRENTLY, WHO OVERSEES OUR DETECTIVES.
>> WE HAVE COMMANDER KIMBERL WHO'S IN CHARGE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES DIVISION.
WE HAVE JOHN JOHNSON, WHO'S A CAPTAIN IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES DIVISION.
WE HAVE JOHN JONES BACK HERE, WHO WORKED IN OUR DETENTION BEFORE HE WENT TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OVER TO CALIFORNIA.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE RECOGNIZING MIKE BACK HERE, WHO RETIRED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHO I SERVED MIKE POL.
SOME GREAT HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS WITH MIKE AND LUIS WANTE WHO RETIRED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, JIMMY GERALD, WHO WAS A LIEUTENANT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHO RETIRED FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AFTER TWO DECADES OF SERVICE.
ED BILLS. I THOUGHT I'VE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR A LONG TIME OVER 30 YEARS.
[LAUGHTER] ED BILLS STARTED BEFORE I DID IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NOW WORKS FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
YOU HAVE JARED WINFREY, WHO IS OUR CAPTAIN IN CHARGE OF PATROL.
WE HAVE JACK MADDOX, WHO'S PROBABLY ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST PATROL SERGEANTS WE HAVE CURRENTLY WORKING EVERY DAY ON THE ROADS AND WORKING WITH AARON RUSSELL.
I'M SURE I'VE PROBABLY FORGOTTEN SOME IN THIS ROOM, BUT IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO STAND UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHAT THEY DO FOR US EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I JOTTED DOWN A FEW WORDS, AND IF YOU WOULD JUST BEAR WITH ME, I'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW THINGS THAT REPRESENTS NOT ONLY THESE TWO FOLKS UP HERE, WHO WE ARE RECOGNIZING FOR 25 YEARS TODAY OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TO OUR AGENCY.
THOSE WHO WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE EXPECTED TO BRING ORDER AND CHAOS, CONFUSION AND TURMOIL.
THEY BRING ORDER TO CHAOS, CONFUSION, AND TURMOIL EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THEY SEE DOMESTIC TROUBLE, CHILD ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, CRIMES AGAINST GOOD ORDER, DRUNKS, DRUGS, TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, FATAL ACCIDENTS,
[00:20:02]
HOMICIDES, SEXUAL ASSAULTS, YOU NAME IT.THEY HOLD THE LINE AGAINST ANYTHING THAT THREATENS THE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
FOR 10 OR MORE HOURS A DAY, WE RESPOND TO THE SCENE OF SOMETHING THAT HAS USUALLY GONE HORRIBLY WRONG.
WE SEE PEOPLE ON THEIR BEST DAY AND ON THEIR WORST DAY, BEING EXPOSED TO THE EXTREMES OF LIFE.
EACH OF OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THIS MISSION, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY TO THE RESIDENTS OF YAVAPAI COUNTY.
THEY ARE THE GUARDIANS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THIS REPUBLIC WE LIVE IN.
I'M GOING TO STEAL A THOUGHT ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT STARTED WAY BEFORE.
WE HAD ORGANIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS NATION.
BUT THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE THE POLICING PROFESSION WAS ESTABLISHED, IT HAD A NAME.
IN PLATO'S VISION OF THE PERFECT SOCIETY OF A REPUBLIC THAT HONORS THE CORE OF DEMOCRACY, THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF POWER WAS GIVEN TO THOSE HE CALLED THE GUARDIANS.
ONLY THOSE WITH THE MOST IMPECCABLE CHARACTER WOULD BE CHOSEN TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING THE DEMOCRACY.
HIS GUARDIANS WOULD LOVE THE COMMUNITY MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE AND NEVER ACT IN A WAY TO HARM IT.
HARM IT THE WAY OR WE WOULD BE TRUSTED TO PRESERVE ITS IDEALS, THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND LIFE ITSELF.
PLATO SAID IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE COBBLERS AND THE MASONS FAIL TO DO THEIR JOBS WELL, BUT IF THE GUARDIANS FAIL, THE DEMOCRACY FALLS.
DEPUTY AARON RUSSELL AND PANT COORDINATOR CRYSTAL JOHNSON, HAVE SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FOR 25 YEARS.
ARGUABLY, IN MY OPINION, EVERY JOB DESCRIPTION THAT WE HAVE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, EVERY SINGLE ONE FUNCTIONS TO BRING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE ENJOY IN THIS COMMUNITY.
ERIN FOR 25 YEARS HAS BEEN SERVING ON THE ROAD, WHICH IS REMARKABLE.
HE QUICKLY TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE PATROL.
HE'S RECEIVED MANY ACCOMMODATIONS OVER HIS CAREER.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF OUR SWAT TEAM FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG.
I CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME. HOW MANY? TWENTY ONE YEARS ON OUR SWAT TEAM.
HE'S A MEMBER OF OUR CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT TEAM.
WHEN PEOPLE SEE THE WORST OF THE WORST, AND THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE DEALING WITH THAT, THEY GO SEE ERIN.
HE IS A MEMBER OF OUR HONOR GUARD.
HE REPRESENTS OUR AGENCY WITH PRIDE AND INTEGRITY IN THE WORST OF DAYS SERVING IN THAT ROLE.
HE IS, PROBABLY, IN MY OPINION, AND THIS ISN'T TO SLIGHT ANY OF OUR OTHER UAV PILOTS, BUT I THINK THAT HE IS PROBABLY THE BEST UAV PILOT WE HAVE.
WE USE OUR DRONES FOR EVERYTHING.
OUR CRITICAL INCIDENTS, OUR ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION, CALLS WHERE WE'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WITH OUR INFRARED CAMERAS.
YOU NAME IT, IF WE NEED AN EYE IN THE SKY, AARON'S COMING WITH HIS DRONE.
HE IS ALSO ONE OF THE BEST FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS WE'VE EVER HAD.
HE HAS SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FOR 25 YEARS.
LET'S SEE, IS TODAY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY? TOMORROW. HE'D BE BACK IN UNIFORM TOMORROW, WORKING UNTIL SUNDAY, COVERING OUR STREETS.
CRYSTAL WAS HIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000 AS A RECORDS TECH IN OUR JAIL.
SHE HAS TRANSFERRED TO DISPATCH, ANSWERING THE PHONES ON ALL OF OUR CRITICAL INCIDENTS, ANSWERING 911 PHONE CALLS AND SERVING THAT ROLE WELL.
THEN SHE TRANSFERRED BACK TO OUR CRIMINAL RECORDS DEPARTMENT, AND THEN SHE TRANSFERRED AND ACTUALLY RAN AND COORDINATED THE OFFICE FOR ONE OF OUR AREA COMMANDS.
AFTER THAT, SHE WAS RECRUITED SINCE 2015, IN 2015, SHE WAS RECRUITED TO GO AND SERVE AND COORDINATE ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS WITHIN OUR NARCOTICS OFFICE.
I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD, BUT THAT'S WHERE SHE HAS SERVED IN THAT AREA OF COMMAND.
SHE HAS SERVED WELL FOR 25 YEARS.
CRYSTAL'S FATHER, GENE MCFARLANE, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, ALSO RETIRED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AFTER SERVING WITH INTEGRITY.
IN THIS ROOM, TODAY, THERE IS A LOT OF LEGACY, AND THE LEGACY OF THIS PATCH THAT I WEAR TODAY AND THAT WE SHARE WITH ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE IN UNIFORM TODAY OR HAVE WORN OUR UNIFORM IS WHAT WE STAND FOR.
IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME HERE TO ACTUALLY STAND UP AND REPRESENT NOT ONLY EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM THAT HAS SERVED FOR OUR AGENCY, BUT THESE TWO PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR.
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU GUYS WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? [LAUGHTER]WE DO APPRECIATE ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT IT IS A SERVICE OF THE HEART, AND I KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY IS WELL AWARE OF THAT.
THIS COMMUNITY STANDS BEHIND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE ARE STRONG AND WE ARE UNITED.
WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US EVERY SINGLE DAY.
>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.
FIRST ON MY LIST IS JENNIFER MCGOVERN.
SHE'S A MODELING SPECIALIST, HIRED IN AUGUST OF 2000, CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.
I BELIEVE JUDD IS HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> THANKS, WENDY, FOR MAKING ME FOLLOW JEFF.
[LAUGHTER] JUDGE SIMMONS, ASSESSOR.
CAN I BRING BOTH OF THEM UP OR ARE WE GOING TO DO SEPARATE? OKAY. WELL, JEN, COME ON.
TINA, COME ON. NOT ONLY HAVE THEY REACHED THESE MILESTONES. DID YOU HAVE SOME?
>> I'M SORRY, JUDD. DO NOT LEAVE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO PICTURES, JEFF.
ARE YOU GUYS GOT TO GO? OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT.
I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO RUN OUT THE DOOR.
WE DID WANT TO DO A GROUP PICTURE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. NOT ONLY HAVE THEY REACHED THESE MILESTONES, 25 AND 30 YEARS FOR TINA, BUT THEY'RE BOTH ROCK STARS.
THEY'RE BOTH IMPECCABLE EMPLOYEES.
JENNIFER STARTED, WHAT AGE 21? DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT? SHE'S BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.
SHE IS WELL RESPECTED, STATEWIDE.
SHE'S GIVEN PRESENTATIONS ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
SHE'S CREDITED WITH PERFECT SALES RATIOS, TWO YEARS IN A ROW, AND I THINK WE'RE WORKING ON A THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.
IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, JEN IS THE PERSON TO GO TO.
SHE'S A GREAT EMPLOYEE, AND I THINK SHE WORKED HER WAY UP FROM CLERK ALL THE WAY UP TO CAMERA SUPERVISOR.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER, AND I HOPE SHE STICKS AROUND FOR ANOTHER FIVE, MAYBE EVEN 10 YEARS.
DID I JUMP THE GUN? OKAY. TINA, AS YOU ALL KNOW, I THINK, HAS BEEN HERE LONGER THAN THIS BUILDING.
[LAUGHTER] SHE HAS, I THINK, WORKED UNDER FIVE ASSESSORS.
SHE'S A ROCK STAR IN THE TITLE WORLD.
SHE PROBABLY KNOWS MORE THAN MOST TITLE COMPANIES IN TOWN, AND SHE VOLUNTEERS FOR EVERYTHING.
SHE'S ALSO AN IMPECCABLE EMPLOYEE.
I HOPE SHE STICKS AROUND FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER FIVE OR 10.
ANYWAY, THAT'S WHAT I HAD TO SAY FOR THEM.
>> WELL, JUDD, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BUILT THIS COUNTY, PART OF THE BEGINNING OF SO MANY THINGS THAT WE ARE BENEFICIARIES OF TODAY.
I APPRECIATE BOTH OF THE LADIES AND THEIR SERVICE.
THEY DO SO MUCH ON THE OUTSIDE TOO THAT I'M WELL AWARE OF.
IT'S NOT JUST HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT THEY ARE PUBLIC SERVICE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT THEY LIVE AND MANY OTHER BOARDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> DO YOU GUYS WANT TO SAY ANYTHING.
I'M THE LAST ORIGINAL OCCUPANT OF THIS BUILDING WHEN IT WAS BUILT IN 1996.
I'VE LIVED THROUGH 20 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
>> YEAH, YOUR CAREER IS NOT OVER, TINA.
[00:30:01]
>> PHIL'S GOT THE CLOCK AND HE'S LIKE, YEAH.
>> I'M GOING TO CHANGE MY APPROACH ON THIS NEXT ONE.
NEXT UP IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
SHE WAS HIRED IN JULY OF 2000, SO SHE'S CELEBRATING 25 YEARS.
HE'S A COUNTY ATTORNEY INVESTIGATOR, HIRED IN AUGUST OF 195, CELEBRATING 30 YEARS.
I KNOW TARA IS HERE TO COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS AND INTRODUCE SOME PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS TARA HUGHLEY.
I'M THE DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
I'VE BEEN ASKED TO SHARE A MESSAGE FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO REGRETS THAT HE CANNOT BE HERE WITH US TODAY.
HE DID ASK ME TO EXTEND A WARM THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF OUR HONOREES.
HE DEEPLY APPRECIATES THEIR DEDICATION AND THE IMPACT THAT THEY'VE MADE OVER ALL THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE, BOTH TO OUR OFFICE AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
TODAY, WE CELEBRATE TWO VERY REMARKABLE MILESTONES.
KELLY JONES FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AND MIKE POOLING FOR 30 YEARS.
TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THESE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS.
THEY REPRESENT DECADES OF COMMITMENT, EXPERTISE, AND HEART.
OUR OFFICE WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE MANY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE CAREERS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
IT'S BECAUSE OF OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS LIKE KELLY AND MIKE THAT OUR OFFICE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE PUBLIC WITH EXCELLENCE.
THEIR WORK AND THE WORK OF ALL OF OUR LONG SERVING TEAM MEMBERS IS TRULY THE FOUNDATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S SUCCESS.
TO HELP ME RECOGNIZE KELLY, I'D LIKE TO INVITE UP STACY RODRIGUEZ, AND TO HELP ME RECOGNIZE MIKE, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP ED BILLS.
>> COME ON. I THINK SHE JUST PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
[LAUGHTER] YOU DID? GOOD. [LAUGHTER]
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M STACY RODRIGUEZ WITH YAVAPAI COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, VICTIM SERVICES DIVISION CHIEF.
KELLY. WOW, I HAVE KNOWN KELLY SINCE 2011.
KELLY FIRST STARTED, I THINK IT WAS JULY 2000 AS A COURT CLERK.
WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET KELLY TO TRANSFER OVER THROUGH ONE OF MIKE STEVENS, ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS ADVOCATES, RECOMMENDED KELLY IN FEBRUARY 2004.
THE VICTIM SERVICES, I THINK SHE'S DONE JUST ABOUT EVERY ROLE FROM NOTIFICATIONS TO COURT ADVOCACY.
IF ANYBODY WONDERS WHAT A VICTIM ADVOCATE DOES, A VICTIM ADVOCATE WALKS THE VICTIM THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, FROM THE START AFTER LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THEIR ENCOUNTER WITH A VICTIM ALL THE WAY TO THE END WITH JUDGMENT AND SENTENCING.
THERE ARE GOOD DAYS FOR THE VICTIMS, AND THERE ARE BAD DAYS FOR THE VICTIMS. KELLY HANDLES IT ALL WELL.
SHE'S BEEN A MISDEMEANOR ADVOCATE.
SHE'S WORKED WITH JUVENILE CASES.
CURRENTLY, KELLY IS OUR FELONY TRIAL ADVOCATE.
KELLY IS OUR MOST EXPERIENCED ADVOCATE THAT WE HAVE.
KELLY IS THE ONLY VICTIM ADVOCATE THAT WORKS ON THE VERDI SIDE.
SHE IS THE ONLY PERSON ASSIGNED AS AN ADVOCATE TO THE VERDI COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
I THOUGHT THAT I'D GIVE JUST TO GET TO KNOW KELLY A LITTLE BIT, I THOUGHT THE BEST WAY THAT I COULD DO THIS WOULD BE TO GIVE YOU ALL A COUPLE OF COMMENTS MADE FROM SOME VICTIMS OF CRIME.
"KELLY HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN HER ROLE AS A VICTIM ADVOCATE." NOW, HOW WOULD A VICTIM KNOW THAT SHE'S GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND HER ROLE? IT'S BECAUSE KELLY EDUCATES THE VICTIM ON THEIR VICTIM'S RIGHTS AND THE COURT PROCESS.
[00:35:03]
ANOTHER COMMENT.SHE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AND HAS BEEN SYMPATHETIC AND HAS KEPT US INFORMED." ANOTHER COMMENT.
"KELLY DID A GREAT JOB OF HELPING US TO UNDERSTAND THE COURT PROCESS, AND OUR VICTIMS RIGHTS." THE LAST ONE THAT I CHOSE, BECAUSE 25 YEARS, THERE'S A TON OF THEM FOR KELLY.
THE LAST ONE THAT I CHOSE WAS, "BEFORE EVEN STEPPING INTO THE COURTHOUSE, KELLY DEDICATED AS MUCH TIME AS I NEEDED TO DISCUSS WHAT EACH STEP OF THE COURT PROCESS WOULD BE AND TO PREPARE ME FOR THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OF FACING MY ASSAULTER."
>> I TRULY DON'T HAVE THE WORDS TO ADEQUATELY AND FULLY THANK KELLY FOR EVERYTHING SHE HAS DONE FOR ME OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
KELLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO RETIRE.
WE'RE KEEPING YOU. WE'RE KEEPING HER.
>> I SUPPORT KEEPING ALL OF THEM.
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR, VICE PRESIDENT, SUPERVISORS.
I'M THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR FOR THE YAVAPAI COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND I DIDN'T MAYBE HAVE AS MUCH TIME ON AS WHAT CHIEF NEWDOM SAID, BUT I DO LOOK A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER.
BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, JUST TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT MIKE POOLING, WHO IS AN AWESOME DETECTIVE.
MIKE, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU.
>> ON YOUR TENURE RECOGNITION AWARD ACHIEVEMENT AS YOU CELEBRATE A SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT AT YAVAPAI COUNTY.
CLEARLY, REACHING THIS MILESTONE IS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION FOR YOU.
IT IS ALSO A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY, SINCE IT'S A TESTAMENT OF YOUR LOYALTY TO YAVAPAI COUNTY FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.
A LOT OF TIMES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE HAVE COPS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS, THEY SWITCH AGENCIES, BUT MIKE 30 YEARS, YAVAPAI COUNTY.
[NOISE] MIKE BEGAN HIS CAREER AT THE YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 1995.
WHERE HE EXCELLED AS A MAJOR CRIMES DETECTIVE, JUST LIKE CHIEF NEWDOM SAID, HE EXCELLED IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS, BUT MIKE SPECIALIZED IN SEX CRIMES.
MIKE'S PASSION AND TENACIOUS WORK ETHIC, OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, HELPING CRIME VICTIMS AND PROTECTING OUR COUNTY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE, I BELIEVE, FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS.
MIKE IS CONSIDERED BY HIS PEERS AS BEING AN INVALUABLE, EXCEPTIONAL INVESTIGATOR, AS MIKE HAS COUNTLESSLY CONSULTED NOT ONLY BY OUR OFFICE, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BUT BY ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT ALIKE.
MIKE HELPS OUT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, OTHER SURROUNDING AGENCIES.
EVERYBODY KNOWS MIKE, EVERYBODY CALLS MIKE FOR ADVICE, AND MIKE IS LIKE AN ONGOING MENTOR FOR SOME OF OUR NEWER UPCOMING DETECTIVES.
CURRENTLY, MIKE IS AN INVESTIGATOR WITH THE YAVAPAI COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IS A TRULY VALUED MEMBER OF OUR TEAMS. MIKE CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS AS AN INVESTIGATOR ARE VITAL FOR YCAO TO CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING OUR STATED MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES.
ALL OF OUR ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF YOU, MIKE AND YOUR EFFORTS, AS WELL AS THE EFFORTS OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU, MIKE, FOR THE THOUSANDS OF LITTLE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE ON A DAILY BASIS TO HELP KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.
IT'S MY SINCERE PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON OUR TEAM AND REALLY AND TRULY THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY WORK WITH YOU, BUT TO LEARN FROM YOU.
AGAIN, MIKE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEVOTED DEDICATION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS 35.
[00:40:08]
TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A BRIGHT AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE IN WORKING WITH US AND JUST BEING AWESOME.>> WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? MIKE DOES. HE'S A COP.
>> I JUST APPRECIATE ALL THE KIND WORDS, AND I'M PROUD TO SERVE AT YAVAPAI COUNTY. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] NOW, REMEMBER, WE'RE HAVING KODAK MOMENTS HERE WHEN WE'RE GONE.
>> LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST.
WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF SERVICE.
I'M PRETTY SURE HE WAS 12 WHEN HE STARTED WORKING HERE.
WELL, WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE JOE HUOT.
HE STARTED WORKING HERE IN AUGUST OF 1990 AND I BELIEVE ROGERS HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
ROGER MCCORMICK, YOUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
I AM EXTREMELY PLEASURED TO BE HERE TODAY TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE JOE HUOT.
I HAVE THAT DISTINCT HONOR TO RECOGNIZE HIS 35 YEARS OF SERVICE TO YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WENDY AND I WERE TALKING [NOISE] BEFOREHAND, AND I THINK WE DO HAVE SOME EMPLOYEES WITHIN PUBLIC WORKS THAT WERE BORN AFTER JOE STARTED AT THE COUNTY.
I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE YOU FEEL OLD, BUT JOE THAT'S THE DEDICATED SERVICE THAT HE HAS TO YAVAPAI COUNTY.
JOE HUOT, HE'S GOT A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE.
YOU CAN ASK HIM ANY QUESTION IN RELATION TO PUBLIC WORKS, AND JOE HAS EXPERIENCED IT.
HE IS DEFINITELY A GO TO PERSON WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT TO HANDLE THOSE TOUGH SITUATIONS OR THOSE SITUATIONS IN WHICH EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM IS NEEDED.
AS WENDY SAID, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, JOE STARTED IN 1990.
HE STARTED, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE WAS QUITE A HARD TIME IN THE PRESCOTT AREA TO GET A JOB BACK THEN IN THE 90S.
IT WAS VERY COMPETITIVE AND SO JOE CAME ON BOARD WITH THE COUNTY AS A SEASONAL WORKER.
HE CAME ON AS A PART OF THE CHIP SEAL CREW MEMBER DURING THE SUMMERS THAT WOULD GET THE CHIP SEAL DOWN ON THE ROADS.
AS A SEASONAL WORKER, HE WAS THEN ABLE TO TRANSITION INTO AN EQUIPMENT OPERATOR.
HE SERVED AS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR FOR A FEW YEARS, AND THEN EVENTUALLY BECAME THE PUBLIC WORKS SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER IN 2005.
MOST RECENTLY, JOE WAS PROMOTED TO OUR OPERATIONS MANAGER IN 2019 [NOISE] IN WHICH HE DOES OVERSEE OUR OPERATIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING RUNS SMOOTHLY.
HE COVERS A VARIETY OF THINGS FROM LEGAL ISSUES THAT MAY COME IN TO RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES TO MAINTENANCE ISSUES TO TRAFFIC CONTROL STUFF.
JOE IS DEFINITELY A PERSON IN WHICH OUR DEPARTMENT TURNS TO ON A REGULAR BASIS.
I'M GRATEFUL THAT JOE HUOT IS A MEMBER OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
I HOPE HE STICKS AROUND FOR AT LEAST A FEW MORE YEARS HERE TO GO.
WE'LL TAKE HIM AS LONG AS HE'S WILLING TO STAY AND I'M GLAD THAT I'VE HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THIS WITH HIM, AND I THINK JOE DOES WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS, BUT I WANTED TO DEFINITELY SAY ONE MORE TIME.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 35 YEARS, JOE.
>> CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I DON'T GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU VERY OFTEN AND CERTAINLY PUBLICLY.
FIRST, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE LORD.
I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WEREN'T FOR HIM AND I WANT TO THANK MY MOM AND DAD RECENTLY LOST MY DAD, AND YOU REALIZED AFTER LOSING YOUR PARENTS THAT THE LIFE LESSONS THEY TAUGHT YOU, AND TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE DEDICATED TO YOUR CRAFT AND YOU WORK HARD.
OF, MY LOVELY WIFE, BRENDA IS HERE.
[00:45:01]
THEY'VE ALL SUPPORTED ME OVER THE YEARS, EXPECTING OUR FIRST GRAND BABY, SO WE'RE EXCITED FOR THAT.BUT I WANTED TO SAY 35 YEARS DOESN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.
THERE'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME OPPORTUNITY OVER THE YEARS, ONE OF WHICH WAS HERE WHEN I FIRST STARTED.
HE LOOKS PRETTY YOUNG, I THINK, STILL, BUT GAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH ME HOW TO DRIVE A TRUCK AND FROM THERE THERE'S BEEN MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT MY 35 YEARS THAT HAVE POURED INTO ME, THAT HAVE SELFLESSLY MENTORED ME.
I WISH I COULD THANK THEM ALL, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THIS MEETING TO DO THAT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT NONE OF THIS HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT.
THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HELP ME ALONG THE WAY AND LONGEVITY, YOU'VE HEARD IT FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
IT DOESN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.
YAVAPAI COUNTY IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE TO WORK AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AND EVERYONE FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS GREAT THING SO THANK YOU.
>> WENDY, I HAVE TO SAY, I'VE BEEN SITTING UP HERE AS PEOPLE ARE DOING 25, 30, 35 YEARS, THINKING ABOUT WHERE I WAS IN THOSE TIMES.
IN MY LIFE, I WAS RAISING MY KIDS IN ANOTHER STATE.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT YAVAPAI COUNTY OR ANY OF THIS.
BUT TO SIT HERE AND TO SEE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BUILT SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY JUST FILLS MY HEART WITH JOY, APPRECIATION AND I WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN WHAT I DO TODAY IN MY FUTURE, LIKE YOU SAID, JOE.
IT'S WITH GOD'S GRACE AND A JOURNEY WITH HIM THAT WE ARE ALL HERE TODAY.
WHATEVER OUR PURPOSE IS, LET US FULFILL IT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.
>> THANK YOU, MARY. THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.
I DO JUST WANT TO READ OUT THEIR NAME SO THEY GET THEIR RECOGNITION.
FROM OUR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, NANCY SULLIVAN SHE'S A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST.
SHE HIT HER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, AND CYNTHIA RUNNER FROM PRESCOTT JUSTICE COURT.
SHE'S A JUSTICE COURT CLERK, TOO, AND SHE ALSO HIT 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE MEETING TODAY.
I AGREE WITH YOUR WORDS, MARY.
I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROUD OF WHERE WE WORK AND WHO WE WORK WITH.
THERE'S A LOT OF DEDICATED EMPLOYEES SITTING IN THIS ROOM, BUT ALSO OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WORKING HARD TODAY AS WE MEET.
LET'S GIVE THEM ALL ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE, AND THEN WE'LL DO SOME PICTURES. [APPLAUSE]
>> WE'LL COME DOWN, AND THEN YOU AND WHOEVER ELSE WILL ORGANIZE OUR PHOTO SESSIONS HERE.
>> JUST A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO ALAN'S FLOWERS FOR DONATING THE FLOWER BOUQUETS TODAY, AS WELL.
>> LET'S GET EVERYBODY UP HERE.
[00:53:35]
>> I WANT TO THANK WENDY AGAIN FOR DOING THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN SO DEDICATED TO THIS COUNTY FOR SO MANY YEARS.
>> THAT SERVICE AND KNOWLEDGE IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY VERY HARD TO REPLACE.
IT IS WITH MUCH RESPECT THAT WE ALWAYS KNOW THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE US AND BUILT SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY.
[2. Treasurer - Presentation to summarize the financial activities of the Yavapai County Treasurer's Office in accordance with A.R.S. § 42-18002.]
MOVE ON NOW TO THE TREASURER'S PRESENTATION.>> I'M DOING WELL. IT'S VERY NICE TO SEE YOU HERE TODAY.
>> YES, MA'AM. JAMIE, WHEN THE SLIDE SO STARTS, COULD YOU DIM THE LIGHTS? NOT YET. YOU'RE AWESOME.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
WELCOME TO THE FIRST PUBLIC ANNUAL TREASURER'S REPORT.
I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT THE YAVAPAI COUNTY TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT DOES.
[00:55:03]
BUT MORE SO, I WANT TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOU THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE HIGH LEVEL OF EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE IN THE TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT.I THINK THIS REPORT IS GOING TO REFLECT THAT.
IT'S GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW EFFICIENT OUR STAFF IS AND HOW WE WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE SYSTEMS TO MAKE A BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT.
I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO ALL THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS IN YAVAPAI COUNTY, AND EITHER BY ONE OR BY TWO, GO MEET WITH THEM.
THERE'S NO RESTRICTION FOR YOU TO MEET WITH OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I THINK IF YOU CAN ENGAGE IN CASUAL CONVERSATION, YOU CAN LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT THE ORIGINAL REASON FOR HAVING A TREASURER OR A COUNTY ATTORNEY OR A RECORDER OR ASSESSOR.
BUT IF YOU'RE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH THEM, YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE CHALLENGES ARE WITH THEM AND HOW THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE YAVAPAI COUNTY A BETTER PLACE AS A WHOLE.
PLEASE CRITIQUE THE PRESENTATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU TODAY.
BUT THEN AGAIN, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, TRY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM, TRY TO GET TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR DEPARTMENTS, WHAT MAKES THEM TICK, WHAT CHALLENGES THEY HAVE, AND THEN HOW THAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS IS SO IMPORTANT, BECAUSE EVERY ONE OF THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE AS DEDICATED AS YOU ALL ARE, AND THEY WANT A REALLY GOOD YAVAPAI COUNTY.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE TO YOU TWO OF THE RISING STARS WITHIN THE TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO PRESENT THE PRESENTATION.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE MEL MURDOCH, WHO IS OUR FISCAL SUPERVISOR AND STORMY GORMLEY, WHO'S OUR TAXING SUPERVISOR.
AS YOU KNOW, WE DO BASICALLY TWO MAJOR FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
WE ARE THE BANKING SERVICE FOR 94 DIFFERENT PUBLIC ENTITIES.
FOLKS OFTEN SAY, OOH, YOU'RE THE YAVAPAI COUNTY TREASURER'S.
WELL, NO, WE'RE THE YAVAPAI COUNTY TREASURER, AND 93 OTHER DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
THE OTHER PIECE WE DO IS PUTTING TOGETHER THE PROPERTY TAX BILL, WHICH WE'LL ROCK THROUGH, BUT WE BASICALLY GATHER 175,000 DIFFERENT PARCELS AND PUT A BILL TOGETHER INTO, I THINK, IT'S GOING TO SHOW 153 DIFFERENT PUZZLE PIECES THAT ALLOWS US TO CREATE A PROPERTY TAX BILL.
I FIGURE MY SPOT IN MY CAREER RIGHT NOW IS AKIN TO THE PETER PRINCIPAL, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU RISE IN COMPETENCE TILL YOU ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING AND THEN YOU RISE UP TO THE LEVEL OF INCOMPETENCY, AND THAT'S WHERE I'M AT.
I'M AT MY LEVEL OF INCOMPETENCY BECAUSE I CAN NEVER MASTER THE TREASURER'S RESPONSIBILITIES.
WE HAVE 153 DIFFERENT STATE STATUTES THAT REGULATE EXACTLY WHAT WE DO.
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF GRAY AREA IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF OPINION IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
IT'S GOVERNED BY STATUTE, AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND THOSE STATUTES AND APPLY THEM, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
WITH THAT, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND KICK OFF OUR ANNUAL REPORT, AND THEN FOR 60 BUCKS, I'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION. I'M JUST JOKING.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DEPARTMENT TOO, TO SHOW HOW WE'RE TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THE CITIZENS, TRYING TO ENGAGE THEM AND TRYING TO MAKE THEIR LIFE EASIER.
BEING THE TAX COLLECTOR, THAT'S A HARD STATEMENT TO MAKE, BUT WE SINCERELY DO WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR OUR FOLKS TO DO BUSINESS WITH YAVAPAI COUNTY.
WITH THAT, STORMY AND MEL, COME ON UP.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MALORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, AND BOARD MEMBERS.
THANKS FOR HAVING US COME DOWN AND TALK TO YOU THIS MORNING.
AS CHIEF SAID, I'M MEL MURDOCH.
MY TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES MYSELF AND TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS, WE MANAGE BASICALLY THE BANKING AND INVESTMENT FUNCTIONS FOR THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
WE'RE GOING TO WALK THROUGH OUR REPORT.
LOTS OF THE FINANCIALS AND NUMBERS AS THEY GO.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW MANY. THERE WE ARE.
OUR ANNUAL TREASURY REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT JUST COMPLETED ON JUNE 30TH.
I'M GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE FIRST HALF,
[01:00:02]
AND THEN STORMY IS GOING TO STEP IN AND TALK ABOUT ON THE PROPERTY TAX SIDE.OUR FIRST ONE IS A FINANCIAL REPORT.
IT IS OUR BALANCE SHEET THAT WE HAVE THAT SHOWS OUR ASSETS.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN A NORMAL BALANCE SHEET, IN THAT, OUR ASSETS ARE BASICALLY, IT'S OUR CASH AND INVESTMENTS.
ALL THE MONEY THAT'S BEEN COLLECTED FOR THE COUNTY, AND AS CHIEF SAID, THE 93 OTHER DISTRICTS THAT HAVE DEPOSITED THE MONEY WITH THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
WE INVEST THOSE IN CASH, WHICH THAT'S IN OUR SERVICING BANK ACCOUNT, AND WE KEEP THAT FUND ADDED AMOUNT THAT ALLOWS US TO FUND ALL THE DAILY OPERATIONS AND NEEDS OF THE COUNTY AND THOSE DISTRICTS AS THEY NEED.
THE OTHER THREE THAT ARE LISTED THERE ARE OUR INVESTMENTS.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE BONDS HELD BY TREASURY.
IT SHOWS ZERO MAINLY BECAUSE THE ONE BOND THAT WE HAD FINANCED FOR CROWN KING FIRE DISTRICT WAS FULLY PAID OFF IN JUNE OF THIS LAST YEAR.
THAT IS WHERE WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT AREAS.
IF WE CAN INVEST IN ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS AND PROVIDE THE FUNDING FOR THE BONDS, IT DOES A COUPLE OF THINGS.
IT ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT, BUT IT ALSO WE'RE EARNING THE FUNDS AND GETTING A RATE OF RETURN ON THOSE FUNDS THAT WE'RE THEN ALLOCATING BACK TO THE DISTRICT.
AS WE FIND AND SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT, WE'LL MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS.
THE OTHER TWO ARE TREASURES INVESTMENTS IN LGIP AND PRINCIPAL.
THE TWO ARE GOING HAVE BROKEN OUT.
OUR LGIP FUNDS, WE HAVE INVESTED.
IT IS WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT POOL.
IT'S MANAGED BY THE STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
WITH THOSE FUNDS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET A PRETTY STEADY RETURN ON THOSE FUNDS, ALSO ALLOWING US WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF LIQUIDITY.
AS WE NEED TO ACCESS THOSE FUNDS, WE CAN PULL THEM BACK AND USE THEM OR IF WE HAVE ANY IDLE FUNDS, WE'RE ABLE TO PUT THOSE BACK IN AND EARN A RETURN ON THOSE.
OUR PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS ARE A LITTLE BIT LONGER TERM INVESTMENTS.
WE HAVE A RATED AVERAGE MATURITY ABOUT 2.6 YEARS ON THOSE INVESTMENTS.
OUR MAXIMUM INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO IS FIVE YEARS, SO WE HAVE MONEY INVESTED WITH PRINCIPAL, AND THAT'S IN CDS, BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE BONDS THAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN THERE, LIKE I SAID, WITH A MATURITY OF FIVE YEARS OR LESS.
GETTING TO THE OTHER SIDE IS THE LIABILITIES.
ALL THE MONEY THAT WE COLLECT IN ISN'T OURS.
IT BELONGS TO ALL OF THE DISTRICTS AND THE COUNTY THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THOSE BANKING SERVICES FOR.
THAT'S WHAT WE CALL OUR LIABILITIES.
WE CATEGORIZE THEM INTO SEVEN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
I'LL GO THROUGH. THE FIRST ONE IS STATE.
THESE FUNDS REPRESENT FUNDS THAT WE'RE COLLECTING ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AND THAT WE REMIT BACK TO THE STATE, MOST OF THOSE ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
WE'LL COLLECT AND THEN TURN THOSE BACK IN FOR THE STATE.
THE COUNTY, THAT'S ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND COUNTY FUNDS THAT WE ARE COLLECTING ON BEHALF OF AND MANAGING THE HELPING PROCESS EXPENDITURES FOR THOSE.
THE CITIES, THIS IS FUNDS COLLECTED ON BEHALF OF THE CITIES AND TOWNS.
SCHOOLS, SIMILAR, FUNDS COLLECTED ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOLS.
THE COLLEGE IS WHAT WE'VE COLLECTED AND HOLD ON ACCOUNT FOR YAVAPAI COLLEGE.
OUR SPECIAL DISTRICTS, THAT INCLUDES THE FIRE DISTRICTS, WHICH IS THE BIGGEST GROUP IN THERE, BUT THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE WASTEWATER DISTRICTS, SANITARY DISTRICTS, ALL THOSE OTHER MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICTS.
THEN MISCELLANEOUS. THIS ONE HERE, THE TWO BIG NUMBERS THERE IS EXCESS PROCEEDS THAT WE KEEP ON BEHALF.
WHILE THAT'S KIND OF GOING THROUGH THE COURTS AND BEING SETTLED, WE HOLD THOSE FUNDS.
THEN THE OTHER BIG NUMBER IS YAVAPAI COUNTY TRUST.
WE HOLD AND MANAGE THAT FOR THEM.
ON OUR RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS THERE.
YOU CAN SEE IF YOU DO A QUICK LOOK AT THEIR TOTAL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS, WE MANAGE ALMOST $2 BILLION IN TRANSACTIONS EACH YEAR THAT RUNS THROUGH OUR GROUP AND OUR OFFICE.
I BROKE DOWN INTO THOSE SAME CATEGORIES I MENTIONED EARLIER, BUT THEY COME FROM MANY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT MAKE THAT UP.
[01:05:05]
THE BIGGEST ONE, ABOUT 311 MILLION IS COMING FROM PROPERTY TAXES, REAL AND PERSONAL.IT'S THE SALES TAX THAT'S REMITTED TO THE COUNTY, STATE APPORTIONMENTS FOR SCHOOL, AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR VEHICLE LICENSE TAX, FEES, AND FINES AND GRANTS MAKE UP ALL THE RECEIPTS THAT ARE COLLECTED.
ON THE DISBURSEMENT SIDE, WE HAVE ALMOST $978 MILLION IN DISBURSEMENTS.
WE PRIMARILY PROCESS MOST OF THE DISBURSEMENTS THROUGH THE WARRANT CHECK PROCESS, BUT WE ALSO MANAGE WIRE TRANSFERS, TREASURE CHECKS AS WELL AS ACCOUNT TRANSFERS BETWEEN DIFFERENT FUNDS THAT WE HAVE UNDER OUR WATCH.
THERE, I JUST WANT TO SAY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, OUR RECEIPTS EXCEEDED OUR DISBURSEMENTS BY 711 MILLION, WHICH BRINGS OUR TOTAL CASH INVESTMENTS, WHICH YOU SAW ON THE PREVIOUS SCREEN TO $452 MILLION.
THIS ONE HERE, I'LL BE QUICK ON THIS.
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THE PROPERTY TAX, AND IT GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A BREAKDOWN BETWEEN REAL PROPERTY AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED TO THE RIGHT SIDE THERE.
EACH YEAR, WE COLLECT A LITTLE BIT OF THOSE PAST TAXES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN COLLECTED.
WHAT I LIKE TO POINT OUT ON THIS SCREEN HERE IS THAT, FAR RIGHT COLUMN, YOU CAN SEE THAT 99.9% OF THE TAXES THAT HAVE BEEN LEVIED, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COLLECT.
FOR MOST YEARS, AND MY PREDICTION IS 2024, WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR, THAT ONE WILL BE AT 99.9 LIKE THE OTHER ONES.
STORMY WILL GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE COLLECTIONS AND WHAT WE DO TO MANAGE THAT.
THE BOTTOM SECTION THERE JUST SHOWS A SUMMARY.
WHEN THE INITIAL LEVIES ARE SET OUT, THERE ARE CORRECTIONS THAT COME AFTER THAT, AND IT JUST SUMMARIZES THE CORRECTIONS.
COUPLE OF QUICK HIGHLIGHTS, 2020 IS AN ANOMALY.
TRANS WESTERN WAS A COURT CASE THAT RESULTED IN US REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAXES FROM THE LEVY.
OUR 2022 WOULD BE IN LINE WITH ALL THE OTHERS, BUT WE DID HAVE ONE PARTICULAR.
I'M NOT GOING TO NAME THE NAME, BUT WE HAD ONE PARTICULAR ENTITY THAT AFTER REVIEW, AND I BELIEVE WAS ANOTHER COURT CASE, THEIR PROPERTY TAX WAS ADJUSTED UPWARD BY ALMOST $500,000.
IF YOU TAKE THAT ONE OUT, IT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH ALL THE OTHER YEARS WITH THAT ONE THERE.
ON HERE, THIS WE JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.
THE PREVIOUS SLIDES WHERE EVERYONE THAT'S UNDER OUR WATCH.
THIS SHOW JUST YAVAPAI COUNTY, WHICH IS THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE FUNDS THAT ARE YAVAPAI COUNTY GOVERNMENT ONLY.
THERE, YOU CAN SEE PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED WERE ABOUT 74 MILLION.
PREDOMINANTLY, THE NON-PROPERTY TAX RECEIPTS WERE 297.4 MILLION, AND THIS COMES FROM SALES TAX RECEIPTS, THE HALF-CENT SALES TAX, VEHICLE LICENSE, GRANTS, INTEREST, WHICH I'LL HIT IN A LITTLE BIT IN FEES AND FINES.
THE ACCOUNT BALANCE FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY GOVERNMENT DID GROW BY 4.5 MILLION, WHICH MEANS THE RECEIPTS WERE GREATER THAN DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, BRINGING THE BALANCE THERE TO $232.9 MILLION FOR THE COUNTY.
THIS ONE SLIDE HERE IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME SLIDE AS THE OTHER ONE, BUT JUST SHOWS THE COUNTY.
YOU CAN SEE IF YOU COMPARE SIDE BY SIDE, THE NUMBERS ARE ALL PRETTY MUCH KIND OF THE SAME, PROPORTION JUST A LITTLE BIT SMALLER FOR THE COUNTY THAN BUT ALL THE NUMBERS ARE PROPORTIONALLY THERE.
ALL READY TO HIT SOME OF OUR HIGHLIGHTS? YEAH, DID YOU?
>> JUST ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD ON THIS PIECE THAT WE JUST WENT THROUGH, WE SEND YOU A MONTHLY REPORT THAT IS IN THAT SAME FORMAT.
WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DISPLAY IS WHEN YOU GET THAT REPORT, WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
WHEN YOU GET THE FUTURE REPORTS, IF YOU STILL DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND, WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS WE'RE LOOKING AT, PLEASE, COME DOWN AND TALK TO US AND WE'LL WALK YOU THROUGH.
THIS IS HOW REVENUES AND EXPENSES AND LEVIES.
ANYWAY, WHEN YOU GET THAT REPORT, THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT MEL WALKED THROUGH.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, WE GET TO SOME OF OUR HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE HAVE.
FIRST ONE, INVESTMENT INTEREST EARNED AND ALLOCATED TO THE INTEREST,
[01:10:06]
ONE OF OUR ASPECTS IS MANAGING, I DON'T LIKE THE WORD IDLE, BUT IT'S IDLE FUNDS THAT WE INVEST IN EITHER LGIP OR PRINCIPAL.BUT IDLE FUNDS IS JUST FUNDS THAT AREN'T NEEDED FOR IMMEDIATE USE.
WE DO INVEST THOSE AND WORK ON MANAGING THE RETURN.
I MEAN, WE DO TRY TO MAXIMIZE OUR RETURN ON THOSE, BUT THERE ARE TWO BIG STATUTE REQUIRED PARAMETERS THAT WE AS WE'RE MAKING THOSE INVESTMENTS THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO FOLLOW.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE HAVE TO SAFEGUARD THE PRINCIPLE.
ANY OF OUR INVESTMENTS THAT WE MAKE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FUNDS ARE SECURE, AND THERE'S NO RISK OF WERE VERY LITTLE RISK OF PRINCIPAL BEING LOST ON THOSE INVESTMENTS.
>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE'RE INVESTING THOSE FUNDS, WHEN THAT NEED COMES UP TO USE THOSE FUNDS, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PULL THOSE OUT AND HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE FUNDS.
EVEN WITH THOSE PARAMETERS, THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE A RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT, 4.2, THE PRIOR YEAR AND THE YEAR WE JUST FINISHED, OUR RETURN WAS 4.4% RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT THAT WE'VE MADE WITH THAT I JUST IN THE LAST THREE YEARS IN TOTAL, WE'VE GENERATED 51 MILLION IN INTEREST THAT HAS BEEN WE'VE EARNED AND THOSE NUMBERS, AND WE DO IT EVERY MONTH.
THAT INTEREST EARNED GETS ALLOCATED BACK OUT TO ALL OF THE FUNDS AND DISTRICTS PROPORTIONALLY DO WHATEVER THEY HAVE IN THERE.
THAT MONEY GETS PUT BACK OUT FOR THEM AS A RETURN ON THEIR FUNDS.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PART ON THIS ONE.
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO STORMY.
I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THE BOARD IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US RIGHT NOW.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS? LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M YOUR PROPERTY TAX SUPERVISOR IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
TODAY, I'LL BE GOING OVER SOME OF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE TAXING STATISTICS.
THE FIRST SLIDE SHOWS BASIC STATISTICS REGARDING THE PROPERTY TAX BILLING.
CURRENTLY, WE BILL AND COLLECT FOR 94 DIFFERENT TAXING AUTHORITIES WITHIN 156 DIFFERENT TAX AREA CODES.
THESE AUTHORITIES INCLUDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FIRE DISTRICTS, WATER, AND WASTEWATER DISTRICTS, ET CETERA.
THESE VARIOUS DISTRICTS HAVE NUMEROUS FUNDS THAT ARE MANAGED BY OUR FISCAL TEAM.
AT THIS TIME, OUR FISCAL TEAM COMPRISED OF JUST THREE PEOPLE MANAGES ABOUT 758 DIFFERENT FUNDS.
OUR GROWTH OVER THE LAST YEAR IS INDICATED ON THE RIGHT.
THESE NUMBERS ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR BILLING.
THERE ARE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT DO NOT BILL, SUCH AS GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES, SCHOOLS, CEMETERIES, AND SO ON.
2023-2024, THE NUMBER OF BILLS SENT OUT BY OUR DEPARTMENT INCREASED BY ALMOST 700 PROPERTIES, AND THE TOTAL BILL INCREASED APPROXIMATELY 15.7 MILLION DOLLAR.
THIS SLIDE HIGHLIGHTS THE AMAZING INCREASES WE'VE SEEN IN OUR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT COLLECTION OVER THE LAST DECADE.
OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP CONVENIENCE FEES LOW FOR OUR CUSTOMERS WHILE PROVIDING THEM WITH AN ONLINE EXPERIENCE THAT'S EASY TO USE.
THE NUMBERS PROVE WE ARE ACHIEVING THAT GOAL.
WE HAVE INCREASED THE AMOUNT COLLECTED ONLINE BY 447% OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
THE CHARTS ON THE RIGHT SHOW OUR ABILITY TO LESSEN THE CONVENIENCE FEES AND THEREFORE LESSEN THE FINANCIAL STRAIN ON THE TAXPAYER.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN 2020, WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE ONLINE CHECK FEE FROM $2.95 TO JUST $0.50.
THAT'S LESS THAN THE COST OF A STAMP TO MILL IN THEIR PAYMENT.
AS A RESULT IN 2019 AND 2020 FISCAL YEAR, WHERE WE ONLY COLLECTED 4,770 ELECTRONIC CHECK PAYMENTS, THE VERY NEXT FISCAL YEAR 20 TO 2021, THAT SKYROCKETED TO OVER 16,000.
IN THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR, THAT NUMBER HAS GROWN TO OVER 31,000 E CHECKS ALONE.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE RESULTS OF OUR 2025 TAX LIEN AUCTION.
WHILE THE WORDS LIEN AND AUCTION MIGHT SOUND INTIMIDATING, THESE NUMBERS WILL SHOW YOU THAT THIS PROCESS CAN BE BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
WE BEGAN THE 2025 AUCTION WITH 2,263 PARCELS AVAILABLE.
[01:15:01]
AFTER SENDING OUT THE FINAL STATEMENT OF TAXES OWED, 1915 PARCELS ACTUALLY WENT TO AUCTION.AT THE END OF THE AUCTION, 1554 TAX LIENS WERE PURCHASED BRINGING IN OVER 1.4 MILLION OF OTHERWISE UNCOLLECTED FUNDS.
THESE FUNDS ARE THEN DISPERSED TO THE DISTRICTS THAT NEED THEM.
AFTER THE AUCTION OFFICIALLY CLOSED, WE PLACED THE REMAINING PARCELS INTO AN OVER THE COUNTER SALE, AND WITHIN JUST FIVE DAYS, EVERY SINGLE TAX LIEN WAS SOLD.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO TAX LIENS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.
THIS PROCESS ALSO SAVES THE PROPERTY OWNER MONEY IN THE END.
PER STATE STATUTE, THE COUNTY IS TO COLLECT 16% PER YEAR IN PENALTIES AND INTEREST ON DELINQUENT TAXES, WHICH ACCRUES MONTHLY.
AT THE AUCTION, LIEN HOLDERS ARE BIDDING THE INTEREST PERCENTAGE THEY'RE WILLING TO ACCEPT ON THEIR MONEY.
THE BID CANNOT BE HIGHER THAN THE COUNTY'S CHARGE OF 16%, AND THEY BID DOWN FROM THERE, LOWEST BIDDER WINS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, ON THE LINE GRAPH ON THE RIGHT OF THE 1,915 AVAILABLE LIENS, 728 ARE CURRENTLY HELD AT 0% INTEREST, WHILE ONLY 197 ARE HELD AT 16% INTEREST.
THIS MEANS 728 OF THOSE LIENS ARE NOT OCCURING ANY INTEREST AT ALL, WHICH HOPEFULLY LESSENS THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER.
IN THE PROPERTY TAX SIDE OF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, WE ALSO HANDLE MANY LEGAL MATTERS.
LAST YEAR, WE WERE INVOLVED IN 94 TAX LIEN FORECLOSURE CASES, 12 EXCESS PROCEEDS CASES, 10 BANKRUPTCY MATTERS, AND TWO CONDEMNATION CASES.
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A BIG PART OF OUR DAY TO DAY WORK.
EARLY ON IN MY TIME HERE, I NOTICED WE WERE GETTING PHONE CALL AFTER PHONE CALL WITH THE SAME REPETITIVE QUESTIONS.
FIVE YEARS AGO, WE CAME UP WITH THE HOW TO READ YOUR TAX BILL BROCHURE ON THE RIGHT.
WE COMPILED A LIST OF ALL THOSE REPETITIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERED THEM ALL IN A SIMPLE BROCHURE THAT IS NOW INCLUDED WITH EVERY TAX STATEMENT.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE LEFT IN THE CHART, IN OCTOBER, OUR BUSIEST MONTH, WE HAVE DECREASED THE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS RECEIVED BY OUR OFFICE FROM 06,731 CALLS IN 2020 TO JUST 2,457 IN 2024.
IF YOU AVERAGE TWO MINUTES PER PHONE CALL, THAT'S 142 HOURS OR 178 HOUR DAYS THAT OUR STAFF ISN'T SPENDING ON THE PHONE.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO CHIP.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. YOU GUYS RUN A VERY EFFICIENT DEPARTMENT.
I WILL TELL YOU YOUR STAFF IS AMAZING.
CHIP AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE GIVING US HERE TODAY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE SUPERVISORS HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> I DO HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
WE'VE BEEN SITTING HERE TAKING ALL THIS IN, AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU MY REFLECTION ON IT IS THAT YOU'VE DONE REALLY INCREDIBLE WORK TO BE GOOD PARTNERS AND INCLUDE THE MISSION OF THE WHOLE COUNTY AND YOUR WORK VERY PROACTIVELY.
ONE THING I KNOW THAT I DON'T THINK WAS MENTIONED WAS THAT YOUR STAFF, IN THE FACE OF 700 ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES AND QUITE A BIT OF ADDITIONAL WORK, YOU'VE MANAGED TO KEEP 13 EMPLOYEES.
I COULD HAVE THE NUMBER 12. FOR HOW LONG?
>> WELL, WE JUST LOST ONE, SO WAS 13 UP TILL.
>> BUT FOR QUITE A LONG TIME, YOU'VE KEPT YOUR STAFF NUMBERS AT THE SAME AMOUNT SO THE SAME COST TO THE COUNTY OVERALL, AND YOU'VE LEVERAGED YOUR TEAM IN AN AMAZING WAY, AND YOU, $51 MILLION BACK FOR THE CAUSE IS JUST REALLY INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THAT STAFFING LEVEL HAS BEEN SINCE 1980 SO WE HAVE NO INCREASED STAFF LEVELS SINCE 1980.
MEL MENTIONED IT, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JUST JAZZES ME UP IS THAT WE GENERATE BETWEEN A MILLION AND HALF AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS A MONTH THAT IS NOT TAX FROM THE CITIZENS, IT'S INTEREST THAT WE MAKE ON OUR INVESTMENTS THAT'S GOING BACK TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FIRE DISTRICTS, AND ESPECIALLY THE COUNTY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE STAFF TOO, IS WE NOW DO A DAILY RECONCILIATION ON BOTH OUR INVESTMENTS AND ON OUR BANKING SERVICES.
AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH DAY, WE GO BACK AND RECONCILE EVERYTHING TO THE PENNY, AND IF ANYTHING'S OFF, IT'S REALLY A SHORT TRIP TO GO BACK TO THE NEXT DAY TO FIND OUT WHERE WE MISSED IT VERSUS THERE WAS AT ONE TIME, QUARTERLY RECONCILIATION AND MONTHLY, AND SOMETIMES NEVER.
[01:20:06]
BUT ANYWAY, THESE GUYS HAVE PUT IT TOGETHER AND WE'VE GOT IT DOWN TO A SCIENCE, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE HEADLINES AS SOME OTHER COUNTIES OF HAVING BAD TREASURE BUSINESS.AGAIN, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO MEET WITH YOU ALL, HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, VERY PROUD OF THE TEAM THAT I'M BLESSED TO WORK WITH AND APPRECIATE THE BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT YOU'VE GIVEN US.
WE'VE REORGANIZED, WE'VE REMODELED, AND ALL OF THAT INVESTMENT THAT YOU ALL MADE INTO US IS WHY WE AREN'T GROWING IN EMPLOYEES.
WE JUST TRY TO DO WHAT WE DO BETTER, TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY.
WE'VE BEEN BLESSED BY THE BOARD TO GIVE US AN IT PERSON EMBEDDED TO OUR DEPARTMENT.
NOW AS WE BRAINSTORM AND COME UP WITH MORE EFFICIENCIES WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT, WE'RE ABLE TO BUILD THEM FROM THE GROUND UP WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HELP OF OUR IT DEPARTMENT.
IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN AN AMAZING THING.
ONE THING WE DIDN'T MENTION THAT'S NEW FOR US IS, THE REVENUES EBB AND FLOW FOR EVERYBODY.
THE COUNTY, THE CITIES AND TOWNS, THE SCHOOLS, FIRE DISTRICT.
OCTOBER COMES, EVERYBODY PAYS THEIR FIRST HALF PAYMENT AND THE REVENUES POUR IN.
THEN YOU HAVE A DRY SPELL AND SO YOU BURN DOWN YOUR REVENUES, AND YOU ACTUALLY MANY, MANY ENTITIES GO INTO A NEGATIVE SITUATION BECAUSE THEY'RE WAITING FOR THAT NEXT REVENUE SPIKE TO COME THROUGH.
WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE BANK WITH A LINE OF CREDIT, WHICH WAS, TODAY FOR OUR ENTITIES TO BORROW.
IT'S LIKE EIGHT AND THREE QUARTER PERCENT.
WE WENT UNDER A LOT OF BRAINSTORMING, IT CAME UP, AND IT'S LIKE, WE WANT TO BECOME THE LENDING INSTITUTION FOR ALL OF THESE ENTITIES WITHIN YAVAPAI COUNTY, GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, CLARIFY? BUT THE REASON BEING IS THAT WE CAN LOAN MONEY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FIRE DISTRICTS AT A LOWER RATE THAN THE BANK.
ALL WE NEED TO MAKE BACK IS WHAT WE WOULD MAKE ON AN INVESTMENT.
WE'LL LOAN MONEY TO THE ENTITIES FOR WHAT OUR INVESTMENT RATE IS, WHICH IS MUCH LOWER THAN THE LOAN RATE.
THAT'S NEW FOR US THIS YEAR SO WE TRY TO DO CASH FLOW ANALYSIS ON THOSE 94 DIFFERENT ENTITIES.
WE TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT'S A NORMAL CYCLE OR WHERE THEY MAY BE GETTING OUT OF CYCLE AND WE NEED TO INTERVENE AND TRY TO KEEP THEM IN A HEALTHY FINANCIAL SITUATION.
I BELIEVE THAT WILL SEPARATE YAVAPAI COUNTY FROM MARICOPA COUNTY HAS GONE THROUGH MANY, MANY PROBLEMS WITH ENTITIES, DISTRICTS GOING BROKE BECAUSE NOBODY'S WATCHING.
WE FEEL THAT PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOO TO HELP OTHERS STAY HEALTHY.
THEN I HAVE TO CLOSE, AND I HOPE JUDGE SIMMONS STAYED BECAUSE THIS LAST SLIDE WAS FOR HIM.
BUT IT'S HOW YOUR HOUSE IS SEEN BY YOUR LENDER, YOURSELF, YOUR BUYER, YOUR APPRAISER, AND THE TAX ASSESSOR.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE TIME, WE SURE APPRECIATE IT.
>> WELL, CHIP, I COULDN'T SAY IT BETTER THAN SUPERVISOR CHECK DID, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, I APPRECIATE YOUR OFFICE AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
>> I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE COLORFUL COMMENTARY FROM TIME TO TIME.
>> CHIP, I JUST WANT TO SAY I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CAME IN TO BACK TO THE COUNTY, I SHOULD SAY, AND TOOK THE POSITION ON AS THE TREASURER, AND I REMEMBER WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE AND MIRACLES IN THE YEARS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD HARD WORK.
>> THERE'S A POSTER THAT HANGS IN MY OFFICE THAT SAYS, THERE'S A HELL OF A LOT OF THINGS THEY DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT THIS PLACE WHEN I HIRED ON.
>> HOW WAS A FILL THING, RIGHT?
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
[ CONSENT AGENDA (Routine items that may all be approved by one motion.) ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NO. 5.]
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL ITEMS MAY BE APPROVED BY ONE MOTION.
WITH THAT, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND I HAVE A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? OH, SORRY. CLERK OF THE BOARD? I WAS GOING BACK TO AN OLD TIME.
>> CONSENT ITEMS 1 THROUGH 19 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 5 HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 5.
[5. Board of Supervisors - Approve two (2) 30' dumpsters for the inaugural Yarnell/Glen Ilah Day of Service, offering cleanup services to the community members to engage in recycling and waste reduction pursuant to A.R.S. 11-269, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $3,000. (District 1 - Supervisor Compton)]
ITEM NUMBER 5 HAS TO DO WITH A COUPLE[01:25:01]
OF DUMPSTERS FOR AN EVENT OVER IN YARNELL AND ROGER, IF YOU COULD COME UP AND HELP ME WITH SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.>> SURE THING. CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, ROGER MCCORMACK PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
THIS EVENT THAT THEY DO, I TAKE IT, THEY DO IT EVERY YEAR ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS EVENT? HAVE WE EVER BEEN?
>> YEAH, I'M NOT VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT.
I BELIEVE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEING DONE, BUT SUPERVISOR COMPTON MAY BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THAT, BUT I THINK THAT ACCORDING TO WHAT I UNDERSTAND AND HAVE BEEN TOLD, THIS IS KIND OF THE INAUGURAL EVENT, FIRST TIME THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GETTING TOGETHER TO DO THIS.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING ON THIS IS THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THREE DUMPSTERS FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT, IS THAT CORRECT? AS THEY'RE DONATED?
>> THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND. YEAH, THREE.
>> BUT THEY WANTED FIVE? I ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE WAS ANOTHER SUPERVISOR THAT HAD ASKED ABOUT THIS SIMILAR QUESTION, AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A TYPE OF A SERVICE THAT WE DO AND SO THEY SAID, OH, OKAY, AND MOVED ON.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS THAT I KNOW IT SAYS IT IS NOT BUDGETED FOR, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE SAYING YOU HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT.
BUT MY OTHER QUESTION IS, IS THAT HOW DOES THIS WORK FOR OTHER DISTRICTS WHO MAY WANT TO DO THIS? THE OTHER QUESTION TO THAT IS, HAVE WE EVER HAD OTHER AREAS ASK US BECAUSE THEY DID GET THREE, THEY JUST WANT FIVE AND IT IS COSTING US MONEY.
I JUST NEED TO HAVE A PUBLIC CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE DO HAVE A SERVICE.
AM I CORRECT ON THAT COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR CLEANUPS?
>> YEAH, CHAIR MALLORY. SO I THINK YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE COMMUNITY CLEANUPS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT OCCUR AT OUR TRANSFER STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THE FIRST ONE ACTUALLY IS COMING UP HERE PRETTY SOON, AND PALDEN AND STARTING ON, I BELIEVE, SEPTEMBER 11TH.
THOSE COMMUNITY CLEANUPS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME IN AND UTILIZE THE TRANSFER STATIONS FREE OF CHARGE TO GET DISPOSE OF THEIR WASTE AND THOSE HAPPEN ON A CYCLICAL BASIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THERE FURTHER QUESTION IN RELATION TO THAT, OR DID YOU JUST WANT A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THOSE WORK?
>>YES. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THE OTHER SUPERVISORS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I GOT ONE WHEN YOU'RE DONE.
>> MY QUESTION, WHERE ARE THE TRANSFER STATIONS AT LOCATED?
>> OH, YOU'RE GOING TO QUIZ MY BRAIN HERE.
LET'S SAY, WE'VE GOT CONGRESS.
WE'VE GOT BLACK CANYON CITY, WE'VE GOT SCHOOL VALLEY. WE'VE GOT.
>> WHAT AM I FORGETTING? TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE?
>> YOU GOT LIKE SEVEN OF THEM.
>> MY QUESTION IS, DID YOU HAVE ONE?
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO OFFER THAT THERE'S PROBABLY ONE NEAR PRESCOTT?
>> YES, WE DO HAVE A TIRE YARD HERE IN PRESCOTT.
>> MY QUESTION IS FOR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FAR FROM THESE TRANSFER STATIONS AND CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE DUMP DAYS WHICH THANK YOU TO THE BOARD EXTENDED THEM THIS YEAR.
HOW DO WE ACCOMMODATE THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE REALLY JUST TOO FAR TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE DUMP DAYS? IS THIS PERHAPS ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY?
>> BAGHDAD IS ANOTHER ONE. THAT ONE JUST CAME TO MIND.
IN RELATION TO COMMUNITIES THAT MAY BE OUTSIDE OF WHAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER MAYBE A RADIUS WITHIN WITHIN THE TRANSFER STATION.
I THINK THE TRANSFER STATIONS ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WHERE YOU'RE PROBABLY WITHIN A 45 MINUTE DRIVE OF EVERYTHING.
THOSE TRANSFER STATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR NOT ONLY COUNTY RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR INCORPORATED CITIES AND TOWNS,
[01:30:03]
THOSE RESIDENTS CAN USE THOSE AS WELL.IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITHIN THE INCORPORATED TOWNS TO USE OUR COMMUNITY CLEANUP EVENTS AS WELL.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF BEING ABLE TO I THINK IT'S A COORDINATION ITEM IN WHICH COMMUNITIES COULD COORDINATE AND WORK TOGETHER TO UTILIZE THOSE COMMUNITY CLEANUPS AS THEY OCCUR.
WE FOUND THAT THAT SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE, AND IT'S ORGANIZED.
IT'S A SAFE WAY IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN DISPOSE OF THEIR TRASH IN A MANNER, WHICH WE'RE NOT GETTING HUGE INFLUXES OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD WANT TO UTILIZE A DUMPSTER BECAUSE IT'S AVAILABLE FOR ONE DAY.
OFTENTIMES THESE WILL EXTEND OVER MULTIPLE WEEKS, AND IT'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AS THEY WOULD WANT TO OVER THOSE FEW DAYS OR THE FEW WEEKS TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THOSE EVENTS OR THOSE SERVICES.
>> CHAIR MALLORY. I LIVE IN JEROME, AND THERE'S LIMITED PARKING THERE AND ONE THING THAT'S REALLY NOTABLE IS THAT NOT EVERYONE HAS A PICKUP TRUCK.
I FEEL REALLY LUCKY THAT I STILL HAVE MINE, AND I MANAGED TO TUCK IT AWAY IN TOWN.
BUT THAT'S A REAL LIMITING FACTOR FOR PEOPLE.
I THINK WHAT'S CHANGED SINCE MAYBE A FORM ANOTHER SUPERVISOR MADE AN INQUIRY IS OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION THAT WE JUST HAD, WHERE WE VERY CLEARLY OUTLINED THAT WE WANT TO CONSIDER HOW TO BRING THE COUNTY'S RESOURCES TO THE MOST RURAL EXTREMITIES OF THE COUNTY.
FROM THE VERDE VALLEY, I OFTEN, TALK ABOUT THE EQUITY AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VERDE VALLEY AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, IF YOU WILL.
BUT THAT'S ALSO REALLY TRUE FOR THE EXTREME WESTERN SIDE OF YAVAPAI COUNTY I WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I REALIZE THAT, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT PRECEDENCE WE MIGHT SET, AND I THINK IT'S FAIR TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE COULDN'T EQUITABLY PROVIDE THIS SERVICE WITHIN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO EACH ONE OF THE DISTRICTS.
I PERSONALLY AM COMFORTABLE EXPLORING HOW THIS WORKS, LEARNING FROM AND THEN TAKING THAT INFORMATION BACK AND SEEING IF WE WANT TO MAKE CONSIDERATIONS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET OR HOW WE WANT TO STRIVE TO PROVIDE THOSE RURAL SERVICES MAYBE DIFFERENTLY.
>> WELL, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE BOTH MY SUPERVISOR, FELLOW SUPERVISORS COMMENTS, AND I THINK IT'S FABULOUS THAT SUPERVISOR MALLORY PULLED THIS TODAY ON THE DAY THAT WE HAD THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH WHEN ASHLEY ALQUIZ IS TALKING ABOUT THE VERY IMPORTANT MATTER OF COMMUNITY CLEANUP IN OUR MOST RURAL AREAS SO THANK YOU, CHAIR MALLORY FOR PULLING THIS.
TO SUPERVISOR JENKINS' COMMENTS.
THIS IS THE MOST RURAL RURAL AREAS WHERE THEY DO NOT HAVE IT.
AS AN EXAMPLE, HERE IS THE SKULL VALLEY CLEANUP THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY WHERE THERE IS A TRANSFER STATION, AND WHERE WE WOULD BE PROVIDING THESE, THERE IS NOT A TRANSFER STATION AND WHERE THE MOST NEED IS.
THIS WILL HAVE 40 VOLUNTEERS HELPING 18-20 HOMES FOR FIREWISE PROTECTION AND FOR COMMUNITY CLEANUP, THUS ASSISTING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WITH COMPLAINTS AND REDUCING THE BURDEN ON OUR STAFF.
I DID BRING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE I HEARD A FELLOW SUPERVISOR HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THESE DUMPSTERS AS WELL.
I WORKED WITH MR. BRENNAN TO DEVELOP THE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE TO OFFER A TEMPLATE FOR ALL SUPERVISORS IN THE FUTURE, THAT IF THEY NEED THIS IN THEIR MORE RURAL AREAS OF CAMP VERDE OR WHEREVER THEY MAY NEED, BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY IN THE BUDGETARY PROCESS, THIS WAS NOT ADDRESSED, AND AS NEW SUPERVISORS, WE WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ON THE BOARD YET.
THERE HAS BEEN A POLICY CHANGE IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDING THESE SERVICES, AND THIS IS AN AVENUE FOR SUPERVISORS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHEN WE CAN THEN MORE FORMALLY ADDRESS IT IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGETARY PROCESS SO IT'S TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE MOST RURAL AREAS IN THE MOST NEED.
IN MY DISTRICT, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WHILE THIS IS THE INAUGURAL EVENT FOR THIS PARTICULAR AREA.
THIS PARTICULAR CLEANUP HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR FOUR TO FIVE YEARS.
WITH THAT, I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
BUT I STILL HAVE MORE DISCUSSION.
THIS IS AN ADD TO THE BUDGET, WHICH NUMBER ONE, THE REASON I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD IS BECAUSE IT DOES NEED TO BE ACTUALLY, I PULLED THE ITEM, BUT IT WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD BECAUSE WE ARE NOT INDIVIDUALS UP HERE WE ARE A BOARD.
THAT'S WHY WHEN WE'RE SPENDING MONEY, WE ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE SPENDING ALL THE COUNTY AND WORKING FOR ALL THE COUNTY.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE NOT DONE THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION BEFORE IF SOMEONE ELSE WANTS THE DUMPSTERS,
[01:35:05]
THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT.WE JUST DID OUR BUDGET, THIS IS NOT IN OUR BUDGET.
THOSE ARE ITEMS TO JUST AND THOUGHTS TO THINK ABOUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
I THINK THAT WHEN ONE PERSON ASKED ABOUT THIS, BUT THEY ACCEPTED THE DIRECTION OF THE WAY THE COUNTY OPERATED, AND THEN ANOTHER PERSON ASKED, AND THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND OUR PROCEDURES AND WHAT WE'RE DOING ARE WE GOING TO COMPLY WITH OUR GUIDELINES? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE A WHOLE YEAR BEFORE WE CAN EVEN LOOK AT THIS ITEM.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS CLEANUP.
I JUST NEED EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THIS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE MADE THIS HAPPEN FOR THIS.
>> CHAIR, I JUST LIKE TO EXPRESS THIS IS IN THE BUDGETS IN PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET.
THIS IS A ONE TIME EVENT, THE INAUGURAL EVENT.
WE HAVE THEM TWO TIMES A YEAR IN THE MOST RURAL RURAL AREAS, AND THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR SOME TIME THEY SIMPLY JUST RENAMED IT.
IN TERMS OF PROCESS, THE REASON I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD WAS THE BOARD WOULD HAVE A PROCESS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IF IT MAY BE NEEDED IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
THIS IS FOR ALL OF MY FELLOW SUPERVISORS, NOT MY DISTRICT, ALL SUPERVISORS, ALL DISTRICTS SO THEY HAVE AN APPROPRIATE TEMPLATE THAT MR. BRENNAN HELPED ME WITH.
>> WHAT MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IS PUT IT ON AS AN ACTION ITEM, INSTEAD OF IN A CONSENT ITEM, AND THEN WE COULD HAVE NOT HAD TO PULL IT, AND WE COULD HAVE HAD MORE DISCUSSION ON IT.
BUT GOING FORWARD, THIS PARTICULAR REQUEST AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
MR. BRENNAN, WAS NOT BUDGETED FOR, IS THAT RIGHT OR AM I WRONG?
>> CHAIR, YES, THAT IS CORRECT, THIS SPECIFIC EVENT WAS NOT BUDGETED.
>> THE DUMPSTERS, BUT THE COST IS BEING ABSORBED BY EXISTING CAPACITY IN THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT?
>> YES THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I UNDERSTAND IT.
BUT GOING FORWARD, IF ONE OTHER SUPERVISOR WANTS TO DO IT OR ANOTHER ONE IN THIS YEAR, THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM SO THAT IS WHAT I AM TRYING TO BRING FORWARD.
>> CHAIR. I'M I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT PUBLIC WORKS COME UP WITH A POLICY TO HANDLE THESE KINDS OF REQUESTS THAT ARE IN RURAL AREAS, BECAUSE WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CLEAN UP, ESPECIALLY THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SURROUNDED BY FOREST.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT TRASH, NECESSARILY.
I'M TALKING ABOUT TREES AND GREEN AND BEING FIREWISE.
WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THAT.
THERE ARE MANY COMMUNITIES THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO GET TO TRANSFER STATIONS I LIKE TO SEE A POLICY RATHER THAN HAVE ONE OFFS ALL THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
NOT CONSTANTLY ONE BY ONE, WE NEED TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF A STRUCTURE FOR THIS EXPENSE WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE I IMAGINE WE WILL END UP WITH MORE DISCUSSION REGARDING THIS.
WE HAVE A MOTION, AND WE HAVE A SECOND.
CLERK OF THE BOARD? CAN YOU CALL FOR THE VOTE, PLEASE?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, ROGER.
[1. Public Works - Award a contract to Earth Resources Corporation in the amount of $1,552,274.00 for Rubberized Chip Seal and Overlay, Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, Project #2515842. YC Contract No. 2025-309 (District 2 - Supervisor Jenkins)]
WE'RE GOING TO GO ON TO ACTION ITEM. ITEM NUMBER 1.I GUESS YOU COULD HAVE JUST HUNG OUT.
>> I COULD HAVE LEFT THE MIKE TURNED ON.
AGAIN, CHAIR MALLORY, THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
ROGER MCCORMICK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
BEFORE YOU TODAY IS AN ACTION ITEM FOR OUR ANNUAL.
IT'S A CHIP SEAL OVERLAY COMBINATION PROJECT THAT'S PUT TOGETHER TO UTILIZE THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE RUBBERIZED CHIP SEAL IN COORDINATION WITH SOME PLACEMENT OF SOME NEW ASPHALT TO HELP WITH CRACK PROPAGATION.
[01:40:01]
THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT 2, SUPERVISOR JENKINS DISTRICT.IT'S IN THE COMMUNITIES OF MAYOR AND ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY OF CORDES LAKES.
WE DID PUT THIS PROJECT OUT TO BID.
IT CAME IN WITH THREE, I BELIEVE, DIFFERENT BIDDERS AS PART OF THE BIDDING PROCESS.
THE LOW BID WAS EARTH RESOURCES CORPORATION AT $1,552,274.
I WILL SAY THAT THE BID WAS PRETTY TIGHT.
IT WAS WITHIN A 200,000, 1.726 BEING THE HIGHEST THEN, AS I SAID, 1.52 BEING THE LOW BID.
THE ROADS THAT ARE INCLUDED ARE CENTRAL AVENUE AND MAIN STREET, WHICH CENTRAL AVENUE AND MAIN STREET WILL RECEIVE A COMBINATION OF THE RUBBERIZED CHIP SEAL AND ASPHALT OVERLAY FOR PORTIONS OF THOSE ROADS.
STAGECOACH TRAIL WILL RECEIVE A RUBBERIZED CHIP SEAL, AND IT IS FOR THE ENTIRETY STRETCH OF STAGECOACH TRAIL THROUGH CORDES LAKES FROM BASICALLY THE LOVES TRUCK STOP ALL THE WAY DOWN THROUGH THE COMMUNITY TO THE OTHER SIDE.
WE HAVE THIS PROJECT BEFORE YOU FOR CONSIDERATION, AND WE RECOMMEND AWARD TO EARTH RESOURCES.
>> THANK YOU, ROGER. I'LL REACH OUT TO SUPERVISOR JENKINS.
>> I'M JUST THRILLED TO SEE US CONTINUE WORKING ON OUR ROADS AND DOING A GREAT JOB, AND IT SEEMS LIKE A FAIR PRICE.
THANK YOU. I TAKE IT BACK TO THE BOARD, IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> NO. I'LL BE GLAD TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS ITEM.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> WE WILL GO TO THE COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT.
[ COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02(K), the County Manager may present brief summaries of current events but no discussion may occur, and no action may be taken regarding anything that is presented.]
HELLO, MR. BRENNAN.>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, SUPERVISORS, MARTIN BRENNAN, DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER, FILLING IN FOR MAURI THOMPSON THIS MORNING.
>> I TAKE IT, THIS REPORT IS A REPORT WITH NO CONVERSATION BACK FROM US, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT UN FORTUNATELY, YEAH, IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR COMMENT OR DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD.
BUT CONSISTENT WITH THE THEME OF THE DAY THIS MORNING, WHICH IS APPRECIATION FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE AT YAVAPAI COUNTY.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO RECOGNIZE A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY RECORDERS OFFICE AND THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
WHO HAVE RECENTLY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PRESTIGIOUS CERTIFIED ELECTIONS REGISTRATION ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM OFFERED THROUGH AUBURN UNIVERSITY.
LAST MONTH AT THE NATIONAL ELECTION CENTER CONFERENCE IN SALT LAKE CITY, THE COUNTY RECORDER MICHELLE BURCHILL, HER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COURTNEY COMSTOCK, AND THE ASSISTANT ELECTIONS DIRECTOR STEPHANIE QUINN, ALL GRADUATED FROM THE SERRA PROGRAM.
SERRA IS A MULTI YEAR COURSE OF STUDY, WHICH IS TAUGHT BY THE MASTERS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FACULTY AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION, GRADUATES RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE WHICH READS IN PART FOR CAREER COMMITMENT TO THE CONTINUING ACADEMIC PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE ELECTION CENTER FOR UPHOLDING THE CODE OF ETHICS AS SET FORTH IN THE PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR SERVICE TO DEMOCRACY, THE PROFESSION'S HIGHEST DESIGNATION IS HEREBY AWARDED TO, IN THIS CASE, MICHELLE COURTNEY AND STEPHANIE.
THIS IS TRULY A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR DEPARTMENTS.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION THAT THE ELECTIONS DIRECTOR HAS PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED THIS CERTIFICATION AS WELL AND RECENTLY OBTAINED RECERTIFICATION.
AS YOU POINTED OUT, CHAIR, SINCE THIS IS A COUNTY MANAGER REPORT.
IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR COMMENT OR DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD.
I WOULD JUST CONCLUDE BY SAYING, I JOIN WITH THE BOARD IN RECOGNIZING AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE COMMITMENT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR DEPARTMENTS TO A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS ON BEHALF OF YAVAPAI COUNTY AND ITS RESIDENTS.
[01:45:02]
THANK YOU FOR GREAT WORK. THANK YOU.
>> NO, I DON'T WANT A QUESTION. I JUST WANT TO SAY, COULD THEY STAND UP SO I CAN SEE WHO THEY ARE? IS THAT OKAY?
NEXT ITEM IS CALL TO THE PUBLIC.
[ CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Individuals may address the Board for up to three (3) minutes on any relevant issue within the Board's jurisdiction. Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), Board members shall not discuss or take action on matters raised during the call to the public. The Board may direct staff to study the matter or direct that the matter be rescheduled for consideration at a later date.]
INDIVIDUALS MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD FOR UP TO 3 MINUTES.DO WE HAVE THE TIMER? THANK YOU.
ON ANY RELEVANT ISSUE WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION.
PURSUANT TO ARS 38-431.01H, BOARD MEMBERS SHALL NOT DISCUSS OR TAKE ACTION ON MATTERS RAISED DURING THE CALL TO PUBLIC.
THE BOARD MAY DIRECT STAFF TO STUDY THE MATTER OR DIRECT THAT MATTER TO BE RESCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION AT A LATER DATE.
I UNDERSTAND WE DO HAVE CALL TO THE PUBLIC, SO I WILL HAVE THE VIECE CHAIR GO AHEAD AND CALL THE PEOPLE UP.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS ALWAYS, I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR NAMES, IF I DON'T GET IT CORRECT.
DEBRA SEGLER. PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME. GOOD MORNING.
>> MY NAME IS DEBRA SEGLER, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF OUR COUNTY SINCE 2007.
I'M COMING ON BEHALF OF THE TRANSGENDER WOMEN GOING INTO THE WOMEN'S NOW DESIGNATED WOMEN'S BATHROOM.
IT'S BEING FOUGHT EVERYWHERE, EVEN ON EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, AND IT IS CONCERNING TO EVERYONE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
IT'S BEING BASED ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.
I TOOK THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT AND MATCHED IT UP WITH THAT.
IT TOUCHES, IT HINGES ON THE BORDERS OF EVERYTHING WITHIN CIVIL RIGHTS.
BUT I'VE COME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTION.
THE ONLY PLACE THAT IT ACTUALLY FALLS INTO, IN MY OPINION, IS THE RELIGION PART OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE RELIGION PART, BECAUSE IT IS IDEOLOGY, IT IS IDEOLOGY.
IT'S SOMEONE'S THOUGHT PROCESS AND THE WAY THEY BELIEVE THAT THESE THINGS ARE.
WITHIN RELIGION PURPOSES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.
HOW DO YOU PUT IT? IT IS AN IDEOLOGY AND ALSO IN RELIGION, IT PROTECTS THEIR RIGHT TO BELIEVE THE WAY THEY WANT TO BELIEVE AND IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE THIS THIS IS FINE.
BUT IT ALSO STATES IN THAT FORMAT, THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BELIEVE YOUR RELIGION, WHATEVER YOU WANT, BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCE THAT BELIEF ONTO ANOTHER.
YOU CAN DISCUSS IT ALL YOU WANT, BUT YOU CANNOT MAKE SOMEONE ELSE FALL INTO THAT REALM OF BELIEVING EXACTLY LIKE YOU DO.
I'M A CHRISTIAN, OR HOW MANY LEVELS OF CHRISTIAN, DO WE ALL BELIEVE THE SAME? DO WE HAVE MUSLIM TRAININGS AND EVERYTHING? IF WE WERE TO SUBMIT TO ACCEPTING THIS ONE IDEOLOGY, AND HAVE TO LEARN EVERY FACET ABOUT IT, THEN YOU WOULD ALSO HAVE TO LEARN EVERY FACET ABOUT ISLAM OR CHRISTIANITY OR WHATEVER.
IN ESSENCE, WE'RE STEPPING ON SOMEBODY'S TOES HERE.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DISCRIMINATION ISSUE.
I DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY ISSUE.
WHO AMONGST YOU ENJOYS SHARING THE BATHROOM WITH YOUR SPOUSE, YOUR PARTNER, YOUR KIDS, YOUR GRANDKIDS, YOUR DOGS, CATS, I DARE SAY NONE OF YOU.
NONE OF YOU ENJOYS SHARING THESE PRIVATE MOMENTS EVEN AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY.
WHAT PROVIDES THAT PRIVATE PRIVACY? A DOOR, A DOOR THAT LOCKS.
[01:50:01]
IF YOU WANT TO BE ON ALL INCLUSIVE, OR LOOKING AT THIS IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT INSTEAD OF THE SEX AT BIRTH.IF THAT WILL COME TO FRUITION, THAT LET THAT BE.
BUT IF YOU WANT AN ALTERNATIVE, AN ALTERNATIVE IS A DOOR THAT LOCKS SIGNAGE ON EVERY SINGLE BATHROOM.
>> I'M SO SORRY. BUT THE TIMER DID GO.
I'M SO SORRY. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR LISTENING.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS NOEL, AND AS A TAXPAYER IN THIS COUNTY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING RESTROOM ISSUE AT THE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHAT ACTIONS YOU ARE TAKING TO PROTECT THE FEMALES OF YAVAPAI COUNTY.
I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL SINGLE USER RESTROOM BEING CONSTRUCTED.
I HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
WHAT IS THE PROPOSED USE OF THIS RESTROOM? WILL IT BE A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR TRANSGENDERED INDIVIDUALS AND OTHER GENDER NON CONFORMING PEOPLE? OR WILL IT BE A PLACE THAT THE WOMEN OF THIS FACILITY ARE FORCED TO USE ALLOWING THE WILL OF THE FEW TO OUTWEIGH THAT OF THE MANY? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT WOULD ONLY MAKE SENSE THAT THOSE WITH SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WOULD USE A SINGLE USER RESTROOM RATHER THAN HAVING WOMEN FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO MALE FREE SPACES.
IN A SANE WORLD, THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE BECOME AN ISSUE.
A PERSON WITH SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WOULD HAVE USED THE RESTROOM THAT ALLOWS FOR THAT.
BUT SINCE WE LIVE IN AN INSANE WORLD, SUCH PEOPLE ARE INSTEAD GIVEN FREE REIGN OVER SPACES INTENDED FOR FEMALES ONLY.
WHEN THOSE FEMALES STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES, THEY ARE TREATED AS IF THEY ARE THE PROBLEM.
NOW, I DON'T THINK ANYONE PRESENTING A GOOD FAITH ARGUMENT WOULD ARGUE THAT TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE ARE INHERENTLY THREATS TO FEMALES.
HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO DENY THE FACT THAT TRANSGENDERISM HAS BECOME A PROTECTED CLASS, AND AS SUCH, HAS NOW BEEN USED AS A SHIELD FOR THE PERVERSIONS OF BAD ACTORS.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA, BACK IN 2021.
WHEN A MALE STUDENT, IDENTIFYING AS A GIRL, PROCEEDED TO VIOLENTLY, SEXUALLY ASSAULT YOUNG GIRLS IN A RESTROOM THAT HE WAS ALLOWED ACCESS TO UNDER THE SAME PRINCIPLES WE ARE SEEING HERE IN YAVAPAI COUNTY TODAY.
RESERVATIONS ABOUT ALLOWING THESE POLICIES ARE FAIR AND WOMEN DESERVE TO BE HEARD.
BACK IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, THE ARIZONA STATE SENATE PROPOSED A BILL TO BAN CHILDREN FROM USING THE RESTROOM THAT MATCHES THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
INSTEAD, THE PROPOSED POLICY IS NOW BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX.
IT WAS INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOHN KAVANAGH, WHO SAID, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE 99.9% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNCOMFORTABLE IN THOSE SITUATIONS.
SOMETIMES THE GOOD OF THE MANY HAS TO OVERCOME THE WILL OF THE FEW.
BUT IN THIS BILL, I UNDERSTAND THAT SITUATION, AND I DO PROVIDE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SHOWER, LOCKER ROOM, OR RESTROOM FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. HE IS CORRECT.
WE AS WOMEN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SACRIFICE OUR COMFORT, SAFETY, AND PRIVACY FOR THE DESIRES OF THE FEW, AND WE ASK THE BOARD TO MOVE TO ENACT A SEX BASED POLICY.
IT WOULD BE MY HOPE THAT A REASONABLE MOVE WOULD BE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS CAN USE THE SINGLE USER RESTROOM ALLOWING FOR THE FEMALES IN THIS FACILITY AND COUNTY TO MAINTAIN AUTONOMY OVER THEIR OWN AREAS.
MANY PEOPLE ARE TOO SCARED TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC BECAUSE THERE IS OFTEN BACKLASH FOR IT, SO I'M SPEAKING FOR THEM.
PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF BENDING THE KNEE ON WHERE AND WHEN WOMEN ARE ALLOWED TO FEEL SAFE AND HAVE PRIVACY FROM MALES.
WE ARE NOT WRONG OR BAD PEOPLE FOR DEMANDING TO HAVE OUR POSITION IN THIS WORLD AS WOMEN RESPECTED. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KRISTA ECKEL, AND I HAVE BEEN A YAVAPAI COUNTY RESIDENT FOR 23 YEARS NOW.
I CAME HERE TODAY TO MAKE A POINT AND QUESTION THE LOGIC OF THOSE WHO ARE IN SUPERIOR POSITIONS.
I'M NOT HERE TO ATTACK ANYONE'S PERSONAL BELIEFS OR IDENTIFICATIONS, BUT I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
IF YOU ALLOW ONE INDIVIDUAL TO IDENTIFY AS SOMETHING THEY ARE CLEARLY NOT IN BIOLOGICAL TERMS, THEN WILL YOU ALLOW OTHERS TO IDENTIFY AS ANYTHING THEY PLEASE? FOR EXAMPLE, IF ONE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES CHOOSES TO IDENTIFY AS SOMEONE IN YOUR JOB POSITION AND HAVE THE POWER THAT YOU DO, WILL YOU ALLOW THEM TO GO AHEAD, TAKE OVER AND MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE? IF NOT, THEN WHY? BECAUSE IF IDENTIFYING AS ONE THING IS ACCEPTED, THEN IDENTIFYING AS ANYTHING SHOULD BE ACCEPTED, RIGHT? YOU DON'T GET TO BE HYPOCRITES.
WHEN WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER CHOOSE TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, IF THINGS DO GO SOUTH WHEN A BIOLOGICAL MAN IS IN THE WOMAN'S RESTROOM, WILL YOU TURN A BLIND EYE AND TELL THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN IDENTITY CRISIS TO JUST DEAL WITH THE OUTCOME OF WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO THEM? IF NO, THEN PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY NOT.
AFTER ALL, YOU HAVE TOLD THE OTHER EMPLOYEES TO DEAL
[01:55:02]
WITH THE DECISION MADE FOR MALES USING A WOMAN'S RESTROOM.AGAIN, DO YOU SEE HYPOCRISY? WHY IS IT OKAY FOR YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS AND TELL OTHERS TO JUST DEAL WITH IT AND TOLERATE IT BUT IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR EVEN OTHERS IN THE SAME WORK SPACE AS YOU.
IS THERE SUPERIORITY GOING ON? DO YOU SEE ANY HYPOCRISY? I ASK YOU IF YOU'VE SEEN CROCODILE DUNDEE.
IF SO, DO YOU REMEMBER THE PART WHERE MICK SEX CHECKS THE WOMAN IN THE BAR? IF BIOLOGICAL MEN WILL BE ALLOWED IN WOMEN'S RESTROOMS, WILL WOMEN BE ALLOWED TO SEX CHECK SOMEONE THAT THEY MAY QUESTION? THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE THAT COULD AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED SEXUAL HARASSMENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY DEFINITION, IS UNWELCOME BEHAVIOR NOT SOLICITED OR DESIRED BY THE RECIPIENT.
IT CAN BE OFFENSIVE, HUMILIATING, OR INTIMIDATING BEHAVIOR THAT MAKES THE INDIVIDUAL FEEL OFFENDED, HUMILIATED, OR INTIMIDATED.
IT CAN ALSO HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT WHERE IT DENIES OR LIMITS A PERSON'S ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OR BENEFIT FROM EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, OR ANOTHER ACTIVITY.
COULDN'T A MALE USING A WOMAN'S RESTROOM BE CONSIDERED SEXUAL HARASSMENT? IF YOU DON'T AGREE, PLEASE EXPLAIN.
IT WAS ALSO JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN MY 7-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CAME HOME FROM FIRST GRADE EXPLAINING TO ME HOW THAT WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE BATHROOM STALL AT SCHOOL, THERE WAS A FIRST GRADE BOY IN THE BATHROOM WITH HER.
SHE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE, AND SHE FELT THAT IT WAS WEIRD SO SHE REPORTED IT TO HER TEACHER YOU KNOW WHAT THAT TEACHER DID? SHE TOLD THE LITTLE BOY THAT HE IS A BOY AND NEEDS TO USE THE BOYS RESTROOM, AND THAT HE IS NOT TO GO IN THE GIRLS' RESTROOM IF IT CONTINUES BECAUSE THIS WAS A CONTINUAL THING FOR THIS CHILD, THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO GO SPEAK TO THE PRINCIPAL.
THIS IS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND EVEN THESE KIDS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE HAPPENING IN THE WORKPLACE AMONG OTHER PLACES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WILLIAM SARL. GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS WILLIAM SARL.
CHAIR MALLORY, VICE CHAIR COMPTON, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY ON AN ISSUE THAT IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO MANY WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.
I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR A POLICY OR ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRES INDIVIDUALS TO USE COUNTY RESTROOMS THAT CORRESPOND WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX, NOT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT HATRED, FEAR, OR DISCRIMINATION.
IT IS ABOUT COMMON SENSE, SAFETY, AND PROTECTING THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN VULNERABLE SPACES.
FOR GENERATIONS, OUR SOCIETY HAS RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO SEPARATE PUBLIC RESTROOMS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX, NOT OUT OF PREJUDICE, BUT OUT OF RESPECT FOR PERSONAL BOUNDARIES AND PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES.
THESE SPACES WERE DESIGNED TO OFFER WOMEN A SAFE AND PRIVATE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN ATTEND TO THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF BIOLOGICAL MALES.
UNFORTUNATELY, AS YOU HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE, THE YAVAPAI COUNTY HR DEPARTMENT HELD MEETINGS WITH COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND INFORMED THE FEMALE COUNTY EMPLOYEES THEY WOULD BE SHARING THE ONLY MULTI STATE WOMEN'S BATHROOM IN THE BUILDING WITH A BIOLOGICAL MALE EMPLOYEE.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS THE WAY THINGS ARE NOW AND THAT NO RETALIATION WOULD BE TOLERATED.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE HR DID NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT MORE THAN ONE IN THREE WOMEN HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY MEN AND WILL NEVER BE COMFORTABLE WITH A BIOLOGICAL MALE ENTERING THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM, NO MATTER HIS INTENT.
DOES THE YAVAPAI COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT EVEN HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT A NEW POLICY LIKE THIS WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS? WOMEN AND GIRLS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE POLICIES THAT LACK SAFEGUARDS.
IF A MAN, A BIOLOGICAL MALE, REGARDLESS OF HOW HE IDENTIFIES, CAN WALK INTO A WOMEN'S PUBLIC BATHROOM IN YAVAPAI COUNTY BUILDINGS WITHOUT QUESTION, THEN THE COMFORT, SAFETY, AND PRIVACY OF WOMEN ARE NO LONGER PROTECTED.
THIS ISN'T HYPOTHETICAL, IT'S A REAL CONCERN OF MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, AND SURVIVORS OF ASSAULT WHO MAY FEEL UNSAFE OR RE TRAUMATIZED BY THE PRESENCE OF A BIOLOGICAL MALE IN A PRIVATE SPACE.
BY ALLOWING ANYONE TO ENTER A WOMEN'S PUBLIC RESTROOM BASED SOLELY ON SELF IDENTIFICATION, WE CREATE A SITUATION THAT IS RIPE FOR ABUSE.
WHEN POLICIES REMOVE OBJECTIVE STANDARDS LIKE BIOLOGICAL SEX, THEY CAN AND HAVE BEEN EXPLOITED BY BAD ACTORS.
THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOCUMENTED CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE PREDATORS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF GENDER IDENTITY POLICIES TO GAIN ACCESS TO WOMEN'S SPACES.
WE HAVE LAWS AND PUBLIC POLICIES FOR A REASON TO CREATE BOUNDARIES THAT PROTECT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE VULNERABLE.
WHEN WE REMOVE THOSE BOUNDARIES, WE FAIL IN OUR DUTY TO PROTECT.
THAT'S WHY I URGE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND PASS A POLICY OR ORDINANCE THAT AFFIRMS BATHROOM ACCESS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX.
THIS IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF YAVAPAI COUNTY USING PUBLIC FACILITIES.
IT IS A REASONABLE AND RESPECTFUL STANDARD THAT SEEKS TO PROTECT
[02:00:03]
EVERYONE WHILE ADDRESSING LEGITIMATE SAFETY AND PRIVACY CONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>> WE HAVE SEVERAL THAT DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK, MADAM CHAIR.
TAYLOR CRUZ FROM PRESCOTT DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK AND IS OPPOSED.
DOMINIC VATICANO, CHINO VALLEY, DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK BUT HE DOES NOT SUPPORT TRANSGENDER MEN IN THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM.
ARIANA, I CAN'T READ THE LAST NAME, OPPOSE, DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK.
DAN, I CAN'T RE LAST NAME, DANIEL, F-O-H-R. NOT SURE.
DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK IS OPPOSED TO THE BATHROOM, I BELIEVE.
DAN MISS CLAGLN, CHINO VALLEY, STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE TRANSGENDER MOVEMENT THAT'S ALL WE HAVE, MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, WITH THAT BEING SAID,
[ EXECUTIVE SESSION]
I WILL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.>> CLERK OF THE BOARD. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. CAN YOU CALL FOR THE VOTE?
>> WE ARE NOW CONVENING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR COMING TODAY.
WE ARE BACK IN SESSION I WILL NOW ADJOURN OUR MEETING.
WE WILL NOT BE TAKING ANY ACTION.
IS THAT CORRECT, MR. BRENNAN OR YOU'RE LOOKING AT ME WITH SOME QUESTIONS?
>> I DO NOT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
CERTAINLY, THAT'S THE BOARD'S DISCRETION AT THIS POINT TO NOT TAKE ACTION RELATIVE TO THE AGENDIZED EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.
>> MEETING ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.