Jan 13, 2026 Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting

[00:00:07]

[ NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND AGENDA Tuesday, January 13, 2026 NAVAJO COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL COMPLEX BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' CHAMBERS 100 EAST CODE TALKERS DRIVE HOLBROOK, AZ 86025 One or more supervisors may attend telephonically Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02(H), the public body will have physical access to the meeting place one (1) hour prior to the start of the meeting. The Board may vote to meet in a closed executive session to discuss certain matters and for legal advice on any item as indicated on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3). Items on the agenda may be considered out of order at the Chairperson's discretion. A copy of the agenda background material provided to the Board, except items to be considered in the executive session, is available for public inspection at the Navajo County website, www.navajocountyaz.gov WATCH THE MEETING LIVE AT: www.navajocountyaz.gov/660 All public comments will need to be made in person or in writing. Written comments will be received by the Clerk of the Board's office twenty-four (24) hours prior to the Board meeting, at leah.thomas@navajocountyaz.gov. Persons with disabilities who need accommodation to attend or participate in the meeting may contact the Clerk of the Board’s office at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting, so accommodation can be arranged. “NOTICE TO PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS: Parents and legal guardians have the right to consent before Navajo County makes a video or voice recording of a minor child, pursuant to A.R.S. § 1-602(A)(9). The Navajo County Board of Supervisors' regular meetings are recorded and may be viewed on Navajo County’s website and social media pages. If you permit your child to attend/participate in a televised Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, a recording will be made, and your child’s picture may be posted on Navajo County’s social media pages. You may exercise your right not to consent by not allowing your child to attend/participate in the meeting.” 9:00 a.m. Call To Order: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance ]

GOOD MORNING.

WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED WITH THE BOARD MEETING TODAY.

WE DO HAVE A FULL BOARD WITH US SUPERVISOR PE ONLINE WITH US.

UM, AND SO WE DO HAVE EVERYONE HERE WITH US TODAY.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AS WE ALWAYS DO, AND GET STARTED WITH A PRAYER AND A PLEDGE LED BY SUPERVISOR AL.

IF EVERYONE PLEASE RISE.

MORNING, EVERYONE.

UM, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALWAYS 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.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE MOVING ON

[a. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2026]

THIS IS, UH, THE FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA.

BOARD SUPERVISORS IS ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR FOR 2026.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE FIRST MEETING OF OUR, UM, OF OUR CALENDAR YEAR.

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF RIGHT NOW.

UM, JUST REAL QUICK, I'LL SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SERVED.

I RECOGNIZE NOW WE'RE THE TWO YEAR MARK, SO I CAN'T SERVE AGAIN, AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

BUT, UH, ANYHOW, UM, REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY OF WORKING WITH YOU IN THIS CAPACITY AND FOR ALL THE TEAM AND, AND, UH, DIFFERENT SEASONS OF LIFE.

AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHO THE NEW CHAIR WILL BE.

AND, UM, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND, AND, AND DO THAT NOW.

SHARE WOULD ENTERTAIN NOMINATIONS AT THIS TIME.

FOR THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, I NOMINATE SUPERVISOR SEYMOUR TO SERVE AS THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD.

[00:05:03]

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? IT'S STAY IN THIS .

THERE'S A FIRST AND A SECOND.

I GUESS YOU CAN ADD TO IT, RIGHT? IF YOU WANT.

.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

YES.

NOMINATION.

ACCEPT.

SO WE HAVE A NOMINATION AND A AND A SECOND ON THAT.

ANY MORE DISCUSSION BEFORE WE GO TO A VOTE? THEY HEARING NONE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? VOTE.

AYE.

AYE.

A AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? HEARING NONE.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

NOW YOU'RE CHAIR.

DO YOU WANT TO, I CAN NOT FROM HERE, IF THAT'S OKAY.

YEAH.

WHEREVER YOU WANNA DO TODAY.

, YOU'RE THE CHAIR.

THE CHAIR.

UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR PAST CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, FOR THEIR SERVICE, FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR ALL THE AGREE TO ACCOMPLISH DURING HIS PAST TWO YEARS.

THE SELFLESS SERVICE AND THE FRIENDSHIP THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO FORM A BOND HERE OUT OF THE BOARD AND THE FUND THAT IT IS, THE CHALLENGES THAT IT IS, BUT BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

SO THANK YOU.

AND MAYBE THE TRUST HAVE GIVEN THIS TIME.

WE NEED TO, UH, OPEN NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIR AT THIS TIME.

I'LL TURN IT TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A NOMINATION FOR THE VICE CHAIR.

AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE, UM, DONALD FAYE, UM, WEINGER, OUR SUPERVISOR FOR VICE CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

WE HAVE, UH, A MOTION.

THANK YOU, UH, TO NOMINATE SUPERVISOR WEINGER AS VICE CHAIR AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR WHITING.

IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NOT I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AYE.

THANK YOU.

WELCOME VICE CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

GREAT TO SERVE WITH YOU.

THIS TIME WE HAVE A PRESENTATION.

ARE WE GONNA SLIDE DOWN OR WANT ME TO MOVE DOWN THERE? DO YOU WANNA STAY? I'LL MOVE DOWN THERE, THEN MIGHT BE EASIER.

YEAH.

NORMALLY I STEP OVER HERE BECAUSE I'M DEAF IN MY LEFT EAR, AND I REALLY LIKE THESE GUYS ON THIS SIDE OF ME.

IT'S UP TO YOU.

IF YOU WANT TO STAY DOWN HERE.

THE LEGAL STUFF IS SOMETIMES EASIER TO BE DOWN HERE, SO, BUT, OR HE CAN MOVE.

BRAD WITH YOU, .

THANK YOU.

THIS TIME.

UH,

[b. Presentation to Supervisor Jason Whiting for his 2025 service as Chair of the Board. ]

AND NOW YOU GET TO SPEAK UP EVER SO MUCH MORE SUPERVISORS.

WOULD YOU MIND, UM, SHAKING HANDS AGAIN AND SMILING TOWARD ME? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

LET'S SUPERVISOR PASS CHAIR.

GREAT.

WOULD YOU MIND IF I MADE A COUPLE COMMENTS? SURE.

YOU, YOU SAID I WAS GONNA TALK MORE.

SO HERE WE GO.

UM, , I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOARD AND TO THE TEAM.

I SAID A LITTLE BIT OF THAT BEFORE, BUT FIRST OFF, UH, VICE CHAIR REALLY EN ENJOYED BEING ABLE TO SERVE WITH YOU.

ALWAYS DO, UM, IN WHATEVER CAPACITY THAT IS.

UM, I REALLY ENJOY AND APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP

[00:10:01]

AND FOR EACH ONE OF YOU CHAIR, YOU'RE GONNA DO A GREAT JOB IN THAT POSITION.

UM, NO CONCERNS WHATSOEVER.

IN FACT, EXCITED FOR YOU AND YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE AND HAPPY TO SUPPORT YOU ANY WAY I CAN.

BUT I, I WANNA SAY TO ALL THE BOARD, UM, IT'S AN HONOR TO WORK WITH YOU.

WE DON'T ALL SEE THINGS EYE TO EYE INDIVIDUALLY, BUT COLLECTIVELY WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS OF THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTY, UM, I'M ALWAYS EXCITED ABOUT HOW WE COME TOGETHER IN THE END TO TRY AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS.

WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT WE TRY TO LOOK THROUGH THE LENS OF THE TOTALITY OF EVERYONE VERSUS ANY, UM, ONE SET GROUP OF PEOPLE.

SO WE TRY TO LOOK AT ALL OF NAVAJO COUNTY AND THAT'S APPRECIATED.

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY, BUT I'LL BE HONEST, I'M KIND OF EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY NOW TOO.

SO ANYWAYS, LOOK FORWARD TO THE YEAR UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AND BOTH OF YOU GUYS, SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

NEXT ITEM IS

[2. CONSENT AGENDA: These items are considered to be routine or administrative in nature and will be approved in a single motion. A Board member may request for any item to be removed from the consent agenda and considered on the regular agenda:]

ANYBODY HAVE ANY ITEMS BENEATH THE POLL? WE'LL TALK ABOUT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS THERE.

WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE, UH, STOP GRANT THAT YOU AS INFLUENTIAL THERE.

UH, MR. CARLINE BE ABLE TO HELP US GET THAT, WHICH IS, UH, A GRANT THAT HELPS WITH, UH, WHENEVER THERE'S BEEN A PREDICTING THAT AS EITHER HAD SEXUAL ABUSE OF SOME SORT, BUT IT, UH, I WAS AN INVESTIGATOR THAT'S ABLE TO DO THAT.

ALSO, I THINK WE HAVE SOME GREAT GRANTS HERE THAT ARE FROM THE, UH, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THAT WAS GIVEN A, A FEW YEARS BACK AND SOME OTHER AGREEMENTS GOING FORWARD.

SO THOSE ARE SOME GREAT THINGS THAT STAFF HAS BEEN DOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING OTHER DOLLARS IN THAT WE CAN MATCH WITH AND MAKE THINGS BETTER.

THIS TIME I'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS LISTED.

CHAIRMAN, I MOTION FOR APPROVAL ON THE ITEMS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND.

MOTION.

SECOND SUPERVISOR.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL FOR THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU.

THAT PASS.

THE NEXT ITEM IS, UH, NAVAJO COUNTY JAIL DISTRICT.

I NEED A MOTION TO MOVE INTO THE NAVAJO JAIL DISTRICT FOR THE DIRECTORS I MOTION TO INTERN THE NAVAJO COUNTY JAIL DISTRICT.

HAVE A MOTION? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.

A MOTION IS SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED? THANK YOU.

THIS TIME, THE FIRST ITEM

[a. CONSENT AGENDA: The following item(s) are considered to be of a routine or administrative in nature and will be approved as a group unless a member of the Board wishes to discuss a particular item: ]

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? UH, I I LOOK FOR A MOTION CHAIRMAN, I MOTION FOR APPROVAL ON THE ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE JAIL DISTRICT.

OKAY.

IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND THE MOTION.

THOSE A DISCUSSION? ALL THE VOTE.

ALL THEM IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? EITHER THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT ITEM IS, UH, THE SUPERIOR COURT.

I NEED A MOTION TO MOVE BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION.

SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALTHOUGH IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THIS TIME

[a. Consideration of the appointment of David Widmaier to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term as Justice of the Peace, Precinct Six, effective February 8, 2026, due to the retirement of the Honorable Robert J. Higgins.]

CONGRATULATIONS TODAY TOO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, CHAIRMAN AND, UH, VICE CHAIR WEINGER AND, UH, ALL THE BOARD AND MR. CARLINE.

MR. LEIGHTON, UH, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOU AND, UM, JUST TO SAY THANKS FOR MY CAREER AND APPOINTING ME LAST, UH, I GUESS IT WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, TO BE THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AFTER BEING IN SUPERIOR COURT FOR NINE YEARS.

I I REALLY ENJOYED THESE LAST FIVE YEARS AS WELL, SO, AND, UM, I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR, I'VE BEEN IN NAVAJO COUNTY NOW 31 YEARS PRACTICING LAW OR BEING A JUDGE, AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT, UH, YOU KNOW, A GREAT CAREER.

AND I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE IN NAVAJO COUNTY.

UM, AND, UM, UH,

[00:15:01]

HE'S BEEN OUR, UH, PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE JPS THE LAST FEW YEARS.

HE'S GREAT TO WORK WITH, AND HE WAS ON MY DRUG COURT TEAM WHEN I WAS THE DRUG COURT JUDGE MANY YEARS AGO.

SO, THANK YOU, JUDGE LITTLE.

AND I'D LIKE TO THANK JUDGE RLE, WHO WAS OUR PRESIDING JUDGE, AND I'VE WORKED WITH MICKEY FOR A LONG TIME.

SHE'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL, UH, TO WORK WITH AND PROFESSIONAL AND, AND, UH, AND I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HER AND SITTING NEXT TO HER, MY FIRST MENTOR, JOEL RLE, WHO TRAINED ME AS A PROSECUTOR IN 1994, UH, HE'S LIKE A WALKING ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ARIZONA LAW.

HE'S, HE'S THE BEST, EVEN THOUGH I GIVE HIM A HARD TIME WHENEVER HE IS IN MY COURT.

SO, UH, THANK YOU, JOEL.

AND, UH, ANYWAY, I AND I, BRAD CARLINE WAS MY FIRST PARTNER WHEN I WENT INTO PRIVATE PRACTICE IN 1997.

SO I HAVE A LOT OF TIES, UH, THROUGHOUT THIS ROOM AND, AND THEY'RE ALL VERY MEANINGFUL TO ME.

AND, UH, I APPRECIATE NAVAJO COUNTY AND ALL IT'S DONE FOR ME.

AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO, UH, RECOMMEND THAT JUDGE WHITMEYER WOULD TAKE MY PLACE FOR THIS INTERIM YEAR.

UM, HE WAS THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN PINETOP FOR 20 YEARS, AND HE HAS A LAW DEGREE AND HE'S, UH, HE'S VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCEDURE IN JUSTICE COURT AND KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.

SO I, I CONFIDENTLY, UH, HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM TO YOU AS, UH, THE NEXT JUSTICE OF THE PIECE.

AND THEN THE, UH, ELECTION WILL BE THIS FALL, SO IT'LL BE WIDE OPEN FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO RUN.

JUDGE WHITMEYER IS NOT GOING TO RUN, HE TOLD ME.

SO.

ALL RIGHT, ALL, SO THANK YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

MM-HMM .

WE HAVE A CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DAVID WINDMILL TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR THE REMAINDER TERM OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2026 TO, TO THE END OF HIS, UH, TURN.

ANY DISCUSSION NOW? I'LL CALL FOR LOOK FOR A MOTION.

UM, CHAIRMAN, I OR CHAIR.

CHAIRMAN? YEAH, THAT SOUNDS WEIRD TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY .

UM, I'D LIKE TO MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

THANK YOU JUDGE HIGGINS FOR MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR WHITING.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL 'EM IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THAT A UNANIMOUSLY.

THANKS.

NEXT WE HAVE A PRESENTATION

[b. Recognition of the Honorable Robert J. Higgins, Justice of the Peace Precinct Six, on his retirement. ]

OKAY.

GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

UM, FIRST OF ALL, I, IT'S ALWAYS SCARY TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU, , BUT IT'S EVEN MORE SCARY TODAY BECAUSE, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JUDGE HIGGINS DID IS HE WAS AN ENGLISH TEACHER.

I GET TO GIVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT AN ENGLISH TEACHER, .

SO HERE GOES.

UM, I WANNA START BY SAYING, UH, USING A QUOTE BY, UH, JAMES KELLER.

IT SAYS, A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE.

JUDGE HIGGINS IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THAT SAYING HE IS A STRONG, BRIGHT CANDLE WHO HAS MADE A MISSION OF LIGHTING OTHER CANDLES.

HE STARTED AS A TEACHER, UM, IN MICRONESIA AND IN, UH, PHOENIX.

AND THEN WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH AFTER HE FINISHED LAW SCHOOL, TO HAVE HIM COME UP TO NAVAJO COUNTY WHERE HE HAS BEEN A LIGHT TO THIS COMMUNITY, UH, FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

HE'S WORKED IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AS HE JUST STATED, PRIVATE PRACTICE, THE, HE'S BEEN A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE AND A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

AND AS IF THAT DIDN'T KEEP HIM BUSY ENOUGH, HE AND HIS WIFE LAURA, ALSO WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN FOUNDING AND CONTINUING THE STRONG, UM, PRESENCE OF ST.

ANTHONY'S, UH, SCHOOL.

HE WAS APPOINTED BY JUDGE BREWER TO THE SUPERIOR COURT IN 2012, AND HE BECAME A J, UM, WHERE HE SERVED MANY YEARS, INCLUDING AS BEING A PRESIDING JU UH, THE PRESIDING JUDGE FOR THE SUPERIOR COURT.

HE, UH, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN, UH, GETTING OUR SOUTH COUNTY COMPLEX, UH, COURT COMPLEX, UM, UP AND RUNNING.

HE AGREED TO BE THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WHEN JUDGE WHITMEYER RETIRED.

UM, HIS MISSION AND GOAL IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN TO SERVE OTHERS AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS JUSTICE, THAT EVERYONE GETS JUSTICE AND KNOWS JUSTICE, TRULY.

HE IS ONE OF THE KINDEST, UM, MOST POSITIVE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE EVER MET.

AND

[00:20:01]

SIMPLE FACT IS, UM, HE HAS WORKED HARD TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, TO SERVE HIS FAMILY.

UM, I KNOW TO SERVE THE LORD AND TO SERVE, UM, EVERYONE THAT HE COMES IN CONTACT WITH.

AND WE WILL MISS HIM GREATLY.

BUT I KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A BRIGHT AND SHINING CANDLE AND ALWAYS LIGHT THE PATH FOR OTHERS.

SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE, BOB.

UM, SO WE HAVE HERE A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR YOU, AND SO YOU DON'T FORGET US AND YOU REMAIN HEALTHY.

THANK YOU.

HERE'S YOUR WATER BOWL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

IT'S NOT NICE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUDGE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE ANY RETIRING REMARKS HERE? ? UH, WELL FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, MICKEY, FOR THOSE KIND WORDS.

THAT'S VERY NICE OF YOU.

UM, JUST, UH, I RETIRED, UH, TODAY WITH, UH, SOME SADNESS.

OF COURSE.

I, I'VE LOVED DOING WHAT I'M, I'M DOING AND, UM, UH, BUT I'M GETTING UP THERE AND I WANNA, YOU KNOW, RETIRE AND SEE GRANDKIDS AND WORK ON ST.

ANTHONY'S AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, UM, I'VE REALLY ENJOYED MY, MY 31 YEARS HERE IN NAVAJO COUNTY AND THESE LAST 14 YEARS BEING A JUDGE.

UM, AND, AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE WORKED WITH, THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT BLESSING.

AND SO, UH, IT'S KIND OF WITH SOME SADNESS, BUT, UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE THAT I, THAT I RETIRE TODAY.

SO THANK YOU.

THANKS, CHAIRMAN.

CAN I MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS? CHAIRMAN? YES.

CAN I MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS? YES.

I'D LIKE TO TURN THE TIME THE BOARD AND MAKE SOME COMMENTS IF THEY'D LIKE.

THANK YOU.

UM, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CONGRATULATE JUDGE HIGGINS.

UM, AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE.

UM, I KNOW IN 31 YEARS THAT YOU HAVE TOUCHED MANY LIVES AND EMPOWERED MANY, MANY PEOPLE TO WORK TOWARDS THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL.

AND, UM, I KNOW SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MY OWN CHILDREN, AND, UM, WE'VE KNOWN JUDGE HIGGINS SINCE MY KIDS WERE IN PRE-K.

UM, MY OLDEST SON JUST GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AND IN ALL OF THOSE YEARS, JUDGE HIGGINS HAS BEEN BY HIS SIDE AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

UM, AND BEING AN ENGLISH TEACHER ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE, I KNOW DYLAN HAS LOOKED TO HIM TO EDIT PAPERS AND SO FORTH, BUT I ALSO FEEL LIKE TO EDIT HIS LIFE IN SOME SENSE AND TO BE A MENTOR TO HIM AND TO, UM, SERIOUS CYRUS.

SO SERIOUS SIGHT.

UM, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE IMPACTS THAT ARE CLOSE TO MY HEART.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US THROUGHOUT NAVAJO COUNTY WHO HAVE SIMILAR STORIES AS HE TOOK THE TIME TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT HE WORKS WITH AND THE IMPACT THAT HE HAS ON PEOPLE'S LIVES, UM, THE CHILDREN THAT HE SERVES.

UM, I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EXAMPLE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN SHARING YOUR LIFE.

AND PLEASE SEND, UM, MY CONGRATULATIONS TO LAURA AND THANKING HER AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU COMMENTS.

SUPERVISOR WHITE, I'D SAY I, I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOU NEARLY AS MUCH AS MAYBE WHAT SUPERVISOR OR VICE CHAIR WHITES DID, BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY VERY WELL RESPECTED BY YOUR PEERS, UH, THAT WAS NOTICED AS WELL AS THOSE THAT WERE WITHIN YOUR COURTROOM, WHICH SPEAKS VOLUMES AS TO HOW YOU CARRIED YOURSELF.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING DONE JUST BECAUSE OF, UH, JUST BEING A NICE GUY.

IT'S BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY MATTER TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

AND, AND THAT'S BEEN APPRECIATED AND APPRECIATE YOUR RECOMMENDATION.

UM, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT YOU WERE THOUGHTFUL AROUND THAT AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MOVED FORWARD IN A WAY THAT YOU'D BE PROUD OF.

SO ANYWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

AND, UH, CONGRATULATIONS ON EARNING THE RIGHT TO RETIRE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THE OTHER MEMBERS, YEAH, CHAIR, SUPERVISOR BE, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIME YOU'VE GIVEN TO, UM, THE COUNTY AND BEING A PART OF THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I WISH YOU WELL.

THANKS, MR. CHAIR.

I, I'M NOT A MEMBER OF FOUR, BUT YOU'RE WELCOME.

YOU'RE WELCOME, PLEASE.

I REMEMBER FIRST MEETING BOB WHEN HE CAME UP IN 93, AND I REMEMBER A PROSECUTOR'S CONFERENCE AND HIS YOUNGEST WAS STILL A BABY AND BOB WAS WALKING HER AROUND.

NOW SHE'S IN HER THIRTIES WITH THREE KIDS, FOUR KIDS.

ABOUT THE TIMES HAVE FLOWN.

[00:25:01]

AND IT IS MUCH BROADER THAN EVEN WE HAVE DISCUSSED AS A MEMBER OF THE BENCH.

HE HAS BEEN MENTORED TO MANY OTHER JUDGES.

UM, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR WHEN A NEW JP IS ELECTED, THE ONE THEY ALWAYS REACH OUT TO IS BOB.

NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF HIS LEGAL KNOWLEDGE, BUT 'CAUSE OF HIS DEMEANOR.

'CAUSE HE'S WILLING TO TAKE THE TIME TO NOT ONLY LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE PROPER LAW IS IN THAT CASE, BUT TO EXPLAIN IT SO THEY LEARN AND BECOME BETTER JUDGES.

HE DID THAT AS A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE, AS A ATTORNEY, BOTH AS A PROSECUTOR AND AS A PRIVATE PRACTICE ATTORNEY.

HE HAS IMPACTED MANY LIVES AS A PROSECUTOR, IMPACTED THOSE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIMES.

HE WAS VERY GOOD AT LETTING THE VICTIM KNOW THAT THEY MATTERED.

HE WAS VERY GOOD AT LISTENING TO THEM, AND THEY KNEW THAT HE WOULD ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF WITHIN THE CONFINES.

JUSTICE AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY, LEMME BACK UP A STEP.

WHEN BOB AND I WENT INTO PRACTICE TOGETHER, WE DID SOME COIN FLIPS.

WE DID A COIN FLIP TO SEE WHO GOT THE NAME FIRST ON THE WALL FOR BOB ONE WHO WAS TAKEN SOME CARL LINE.

WE FLIPPED A COIN TO SEE WHO GOT THE SLIGHTLY BIGGER OFFICE.

BOB WON .

WE FLIPPED A COIN TO SEE WHO TOOK THE BREAD AND BUTTER TYPE OF CASES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND AND DIVORCES.

I THOUGHT BOB WANTED WHEN HE GOT DIVORCES, BUT I QUICKLY LEARNED THAT NO, I WANT CRIMINAL DEFENSE.

UM, BUT IN THOSE, THOSE, UM, DIVORCE CASES IN PARTICULAR, BOB OFTEN ENDED UP WITH THE WIFE CLIENTS AND HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON THEIR WIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAD THE PROPER FINANCIAL FOUNDATION TO MOVE ON WITH THEIR WIVES AFTER TRAUMATIC EVENTS OF A DIVORCE.

BUT PROBABLY THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE THAT BOB HAS HAD ON OUR IS THROUGH HIS WORK THAT AND HIS WIFE LAURA IN FOUNDING AND GROWING ST.

ANTHONY'S CHURCH, UH, SCHOOL.

AND IN THE SHE AREA, DONNA FE ALLUDED TO IT WAS HER SONS.

MY SONS TOO, ATTENDED THE CHURCH, LIVED AT THE CHURCH SCHOOL FOR A FEW YEARS, AND BOB, WHILE HE IS NOT A TEACHER THERE, HOW IS THERE BOB KNOWS EVERY CHILD IN THAT SCHOOL BY NAME.

BOB KNOWS EVERY CHILD IN SCHOOL, WHAT HIS INTERESTS ARE, WHAT THEIR DREAMS ARE, AND HE HELPS SUCCEED THOSE DREAMS AND HELPS THEM WITH, WITH GOVERNOR FA CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE THOSE DREAMS. I CAN'T THINK OF A BIGGER INFLUENCE THAT ANYBODY COULD HAVE ON OTHERS' LIVES THAT HELP HIS KIDS REACH, FIND POTENTIAL.

I KNOW HIS LEGAL CAREER IS NOW DONE.

MAYBE WE'LL DO A LITTLE PRO BONO.

I CAN USE SOME HELP IN MY OFFICE , BUT HIS WORK IN GUIDING CHILDREN WILL NOT END UNTIL BOB STAYS AND PUT THAT.

THANK YOU, BOB.

THANK YOU.

HONOR, I'LL JUST SHARE, I HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF, UH, WORKING TOGETHER WITH JUDGE HIGGINS, BUT I DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND I'M ALWAYS REMEMBER THE FIRST DAY I MET HIM AND OPPORTUNITY WE HAD TO SHARE LUNCHES, SOME DIFFERENT THINGS TOGETHER.

BUT WHEN A PERSON IS HUMBLE, THEY'RE SO, IT JUST RUBS OFF ON GOODNESS.

AND I THINK BOB IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO EXACTS FAIRNESS AND HONESTY AND CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AS HAS BEEN SHOWN IN HERE TODAY.

SO THANK YOU, BOB, FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE.

WE'D LIKE TO GET A PICTURE OF YOU IF WE COULD, UP HERE FRONT AND CENTER.

SO, UH, TODAY YOUR WIFE IS WITH YOU.

SHE CAN COME UP TOO.

SUPERVISOR, YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING? UH, YES, I DO.

I'M JUST GONNA PAUSE FOR A MINUTE FOR PES SUPERVISOR PES.

OKAY, GO AHEAD.

THANKS.

HI, THIS, UH, GOOD MORNING CHAIR, VICE CHAIR MEMBER OF THE BOARD STAFF.

UM, I'M CURRENTLY, UM, PARTICIP HERE AT CSA.

UM, THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE CONFERENCE FOR ME TO PARTICIPATE PRIOR TO MEETING I'LL BE ATTENDING.

BUT, UM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ELECTED,

[00:30:01]

AND ALSO TO, UM, ADD ON TO OTHER SENTIMENTS IN REGARDS TO, UM, UH, JUDGE RICK.

AND, UM, I HAVE NOT HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO CALL IN YOUR HONOR.

IT WAS EITHER, UM, BOB, UM, HOWEVER, I BECAME ACQUAINTED, UM, WITH, UM, WITH BOB, UM, WHEN I WAS A TRIBAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR.

UM, AND THAT TENURE AT WAS A SUPERVISOR.

MS AT THAT TIME WAS THE DISTRICT ONE SUPERVISOR, SUPERVISOR THOMPSON.

AND I HAD, UM, STARTED OFF AS ACQUAINTANCE.

AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT, UM, DEVELOPED A, A FRIENDSHIP AND, UH, ADMIRATION FOR THE RESPECT THAT HE HAD TO EARN.

AND WE, AND OUR, UM, OUR SMALL CONVERSATION EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN THEY WOULD SEE EACH OTHER ON THE RESERVATION OR AT PUBLIC, UM, EVENTS IN THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

AND SO, UM, BOB, YOU'RE YOUR HONOR, CURRENTLY YOUR RETIREMENT, UM, AS YOU, AS YOU ARE CURRENTLY APPROACHING THE RETIREMENT, I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS, UH, MY DEEP DESCRIBE TO, UM, FOR SERVICE AND THEN ALSO YOUR PROFOUND ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR NATIVE AMERICAN, UH, COMMUNITIES AND WANTING TO KNOW LITTLE MORE ABOUT HOW THE NAVAJO MOUNTAIN TRIBES, UM, ACCUSTOM TRADITIONS AND CULTURAL TEACHINGS, UM, ARE, AND, AND IN THAT WAY, AND ANSWER YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING ABOUT, ABOUT OUR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

AND THEN ALSO YOUR COMMITMENT TO, TO UNDERSTAND OUR CULTURES, UM, HAS FOSTERED A CLIMATE, UM, A RESPECT AND COLLABORATION.

AND YOUR FAITH HAS CLEARLY GUIDED ACTIONS, INSPIRING TRUST AND GOODWILL.

AND YOUR DEDICATION TO JUSTICE ROOTED IN YOUR FAITH, UM, HAS MADE IT TANGIBLE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ME.

AND THEN YOUR LEGACY OF INSPIRE FUTURE LEADERS, UH, TO COME TO CONTINUE BUILDING BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING AND JUSTICE.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, FOR YOUR DAY OF SERVICE AND POSITIVE IMPACT THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

AND I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT, BUT THE BEST OF AS YOU ENTER RETIRE.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELCOME.

THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR.

I HAVE TO GO.

YOU HAVE TO PUT ALL THREE JUDGES TOGETHER.

YOU NEED TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A, I ALWAYS PUT IN EXTRA BRIAN, THAT LOOKS GREAT.

SEES A LITTLE BIT, UM, NOT NECESSARILY SQUEEZE, BUT IF YOU COULD ALL TAKE MAYBE A STEP THAT WAY, WILL THAT HELP? YEAH.

KEEP, YEAH.

LIKE EVERYBODY , YOUR STEPS ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH.

.

ALRIGHT, THERE WE GO.

LOOKS GREAT.

THANK YOU.

1, 2, 3.

THAT GREAT.

1, 2, 3.

CONGRATULATIONS.

GIVE BOB ONE MORE BIG HAND.

ALRIGHT, TAKE CARE.

YEAH, LET'S DO SAY THANKS FOR THESE NEW SCREENS THAT WE HAVE.

I HOPE, UH, THAT ADDS A LITTLE MORE MEANING TO OUR MEETING, ESPECIALLY, UH, TO BE ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE THAT'S ONLINE AND MAYBE SEE THE AGENDA ITEMS THAT ARE UP.

SO THANK YOU BRIAN AND YOUR STAFF AND TEAM HAS WORKED ON THAT.

AND I KEEP, NEXT

[00:35:01]

[1. Consideration and adoption of a proclamation declaring the week of January 18th—January 24th, 2025, as National Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals week in Navajo County, Arizona.]

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? AND THERE'S A SECOND BY VICE CHAIR.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THAT PASS ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NAVAJO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 18TH, 2020, JANUARY 18TH TO JANUARY 24TH, 2025.

NOT IF I MISS THIS WORD.

AS NATIONAL MEDICAL LEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATION PROFESSIONALS WEEK IN NAVAJO COUNTY, PRESENTED BY RHONDA KRAUS.

RHONDA, THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING CHAIR.

CONGRATULATIONS VICE CHAIR.

CONGRATULATIONS AND SUPERVISORS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS PROCLAMATION FORWARD TODAY AND RECOGNITION OF THE NATIONAL MEDCO LEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATION PROFESSIONALS WEEK OBSERVED, LIKE CHAIRMAN STATED JANUARY 18TH THROUGH JANUARY 24TH.

AND IF I MAY JUST BRIEFLY TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

THE NAVAJO COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER PROGRAM OPERATES QUIETLY, OFTEN OUT OF THE PUBLIC VIEW, BUT ITS ROLE IS ESSENTIAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IN 2025 ALONE, OUR OFFICE HANDLED 273 CASES EACH REPRESENTING A PERSON, A FAMILY, A COMMUNITY MEMBER.

OUR MED-LEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATORS WORK ALONGSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR MORTUARIES, OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND FAMILIES.

DURING SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS THEY WILL EVER FACE, THEY ENSURE DEATHS ARE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY AND OBJECTIVELY.

THAT EVIDENCE IS PRESERVED, THAT PUBLIC HEALTH DATA IS ACCURATE, AND THE ANSWERS ARE PROVIDED WHEN POSSIBLE.

THEY SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CAN NO LONGER SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

SO I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY HOW INCREDIBLY PROUD I AM OF THIS TEAM.

THEY SHOW UP OFTEN AFTER HOURS ON HOLIDAYS AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGING SITUATIONS WITH CONSISTENCY, HUMILITY, AND A DEEP SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

WHEN THE INVESTIGATOR RESPONDS TO A TRAUMATIC DEATH, THEY'RE NOT JUST COMPLETING A STATUTORY DUTY.

EACH SCENE LEAVES AN IMPRESSION.

THESE CASES TAKE A SMALL PIECE OF THE INVESTIGATOR WITH THEM, AND THAT'S INTENTIONAL.

THESE CASES ARE SORRY.

THEY ACCEPT THAT BURDEN.

SO FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE TO CARRY THE FULL WEIGHT OF WHAT OCCURRED.

THEIR ROLE IS TO SEE WHAT OTHERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SEE, TO ASK THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND TO STAND IN THAT SPACE WITH PROFESSIONALISM, COMPASSION, AND INTEGRITY.

SO FAMILIES CAN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF GRIEVING WITH ANSWERS, CLARITY, AND DIGNITY.

RECENTLY A MESSAGE WAS, WAS SHARED ON, UH, PUBLIC, UH, FACEBOOK DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

AND THEN IT WAS SHARED WITH ME 'CAUSE I DON'T HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA, UM, THAT I BELIEVE CASH CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THIS WORK BETTER THAN ANY POLICY OR STATISTIC EVER COULD.

AND IT READS TONIGHT, WHILE HOMES GLOW WITH LIGHTS, TABLES ARE SET AND FAMILIES GATHER.

THERE ARE OTHERS WHO CONTINUE THEIR WATCH.

CHRISTMAS EVE DOESN'T PAUSE FOR DEATH, IT DOESN'T PAUSE FOR GRIEF, AND IT DOESN'T PAUSE FOR THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND TO THE INVESTIGATORS, MEDICAL EXAMINERS, TRANSPORT TEAMS, DISPATCHERS, AND ALL WHO STAND IN THE QUIET AFTER THE SIRENS FADE.

WE SEE YOU IF YOU'RE ON CALL, ON SCENE OR SIMPLY CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF WHAT YOU'VE SEEN THIS YEAR, KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

PEACE TO THOSE WHO SERVE COMFORT TO THOSE WHO GRIEVE AND STRENGTH TO THOSE WHO CARRY THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY.

IN 20 20 25, WE HAD A LOT OF EMOTIONAL TRYING CASES.

WE HAD NINE HOMICIDES, 21 SUICIDES, 11 OVERDOSES, FIVE FIRST RESPONDER DEATHS IN 28, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS TO NAME A FEW.

THAT MESSAGE REFLECTS EXACTLY WHO THIS TEAM IS THAT'S BEHIND ME.

UM, AND WHAT THEY DO IS SOMETIMES UNSEEN BY OTHERS, BUT IT'S NEVER IMPORTANT OR NEVER UNIMPORTANT.

SO I'D LIKE TO SUMMARIZE SOME OF THE PROCLAMATION.

SO WHEREAS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER TODAY, TOGETHER WITH THE MEDICAL-LEGAL INVESTIGATORS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN DETERMINING THE CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH, UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM, MEDICAL EXPERTISE, AND ETHICAL PRACTICE IN EVERY INVESTIGATION.

AND WHEREAS THESE PROFESSIONALS REPRESENT DECEDENTS THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT SUSPICIOUS, VIOLENT, UNATTENDED, UNEXPLAINED AND UNEXPECTED DEATHS OCCUR IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS ARE INVESTIGATED.

AND WHEREAS MED-LEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATORS MEET THE NEED OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AS AMPLIFIED DURING THE COVID-19 AND OPIOID PANDEMICS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EVER-CHANGING FIELDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, FORENSIC SCIENCE, AND, AND THOSE THAT IMPACT THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION IN A WIDE RANGE OF SETTINGS.

AND WHEREAS THOUGH ETHICAL,

[00:40:01]

AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE TEAM.

I KNOW THEY'RE GONNA BE EMBARRASSED, BUT MATTHEW PLAYER, HE IS OUR NEWEST MEMBER.

UM, WE HAVE JENNIFER LAWS, ANTHONY LOPEZ AND RYAN HILL.

WERE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.

BUT ON BEHALF OF NAVAJO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THESE PROFESSIONALS AND FOR SUPPORTING THE WORK THAT THEY DO EVERY DAY IN OUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU, RHONDA.

WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DOES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IS VERY, VERY CHALLENGING AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU.

DO ANYBODY HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? VISOR WHITE? SURE.

I'D BE HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL, BUT I, IF YOU'RE OKAY THAT I DO WANNA MAKE A COMMENT.

I JUST, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO YOUR TEAM.

UM, IT'S SURPRISING TO ME, UM, SHOULDN'T BE ANYMORE.

BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALLY REALIZE ALL THAT THE COUNTY DOES.

THEY KNOW THAT IT EXISTS, BUT THEY DON'T REALIZE ALL THAT IT DOES.

THESE TYPES OF PROCLAMATIONS HELP HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANT SERVICES THAT ARE BEING DONE BY PEOPLE WHO AUTHENTICALLY CARE AND ARE DEALING WITH SITUATIONS THAT MATTER.

BUT, UM, SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT AND NOT BECAUSE IT'S NOT IMPORTANT, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT, UM, IS HARD.

I PERSONALLY, A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, WAS IN THIS SITUATION AND HAD TO BE ONE OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS DEALING WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I APPRECIATED THE PEOPLE THAT I WORKED WITH, THAT THEY HONORED MY FAMILY AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE WERE GOING THROUGH, BUT ALSO DID THEIR JOB IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

AND THEY HAD TO DO THAT.

AND THEY STRUCK A BALANCE THAT I WAS ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH.

SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK YOU GUYS IN THE EYES AND SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

IT'S NOT UNNOTICED AND IT DEFINITELY MATTERS AT, AT LEAST TO PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

MOTION.

ANY OTHER COMMENT? DISCUSSION? YOU HAVE A MOTION? IS THERE A SECOND? CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A SECOND.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THIS TIME WE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THAT'D LIKE TO PRESENT AS PROCLAMATION.

CAN WE GET YOUR TEAM UP HERE? YES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

NEXT ITEM WE HAVE IS, UH, WE NEED TO GIVE THESE NEW CHAIRMAN A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO LEARN THE AGENDA AND BE PREPARED.

UH, PRESENTATION

[2. Presentation to Rhonda Krouse who was selected as the Health District's 2025 Employee of the Year.]

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I, FIRST OF ALL, GOOD MORNING CHAIR.

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW, NEW POSITION AND VICE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

IT'S, WE'RE FINDING I'M USED TO LOOKING FOR, FOR YOU OVER THE LAST YEAR.

UM, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IN PUBLIC HEALTH IS WE SELECT AN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR EACH YEAR.

AND WE WERE GONNA DO THIS IN DECEMBER, BUT RDA WAS OUT OF TOWN.

COME ON UP.

RHONDA TRIES TO SAY SHE DOESN'T HAVE FEELINGS, BUT I THINK YOU CAN TELL, UM, IN HER LAST PRESENTATION THAT SHE HAS A LOT OF FEELINGS AND SHE CARES DEEPLY FOR HER TEAM OF PEOPLE.

UM, SO TODAY, UM, WE'RE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE RHONDA.

SHE WAS SELECTED AS OUR 2025, UM, UH, EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.

RHONDA'S THE DIVISION MANAGER OVER OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, AND THAT'S OUR DIVISION THAT HOUSES, UM, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TEAM, WHICH IS OUR, UM, RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS.

UM, OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER TEAM, WHICH WAS OUR TEAM THAT WAS JUST RECOGNIZED AND OUR ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL, UM, PROGRAM.

[00:45:01]

SHE MADE IT A PRIORITY TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE, THE TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT SHE SUPERVISES.

SHE FOSTERED COLLABORATION WITHIN HER TEAM AND ELEVATED THE OVERALL QUALITY AND HER DIVISION.

UNDER HER LEADERSHIP.

WE SAW SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENTS INCLUDING MODERNIZATION OF LONG OUTDATED ORDINANCES, IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPROVED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND ENHANCED SAFETY PRACTICES AND STRONG ADVOCACY FOR THE STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO BETTER SERVICE, UM, AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.

RHONDA IS NOT AFRAID TO STEP IN WHEREVER SHE'S NEEDED AND SHE DOES SO WITH DEDICATION, EMPATHY, AND PERSEVERANCE DURING PROLONGED STAFFING SHORTAGES IN OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER, UM, PROGRAM, LITERALLY AT TIMES WHERE SHE WAS THE ONLY STAFF MEMBER IN THE PROGRAM, UH, SHE CONSISTENTLY FILLED IN AND HANDLED SOME OF OUR MOST CHALLENGING AND SENSITIVE CALLS.

UH, WE HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE HEARTFELT COMMENTS FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDER, UM, PARTNERS EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR RHONDA'S COMPASSION AND PROFESSIONALISM.

WHEN OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCED THE TRAGIC LOSSES OF OUR MULTIPLE FIREFIGHTERS, SHARING HOW HER PROFESSIONALISM BROUGHT COMFORT TO THEM DURING THEIR HARDEST MOMENTS AND REASSURANCE THAT THEIR LOVED ONES, UM, WERE CARED FOR WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

UH, CHIEF DEPUTY SWANEE RECENTLY SHARED WITH ME HOW HE NOTICED, UM, AND APPRECIATED HOW RHONDA, UM, REMAINED COMMITTED THROUGH PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND HOW HER DEDICATION HAD IMPROVED THE QUALITY STANDARDS IN OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER PROGRAM.

RHONDA APPROACHES HER WORK WITH A CAN-DO ATTITUDE AND A SMILE.

AND WHEN YOU ASK HER HOW SHE'S DOING AND HOLDING UP, SHE'S LIKE, I'M JUST LIVING THE DREAM.

UM, SHE'S A VERY QUICK TO BRUSH OFF COMPLIMENTS.

UM, BUT, BUT TODAY I WANT YOU TO HEAR CLEARLY, RHONDA, YOU ARE A BIG DEAL AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.

UM, SHE, I'M SORRY, , I'M A CRIER.

SO SORRY.

UM, UNCOMFORTABLE .

.

AS YOU CAN TELL, RHONDA IS SMALL IN STATURE.

UM, BUT SHE IS MIGHTY AND SHE HAS PROOF THAT BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES.

AND I HAVE REALLY FELT A STRONG RELATIONSHIP, I FEEL LIKE WITH RHONDA OVER THE PAST YEAR AND REALLY GROWN TO APPRECIATE HER.

AND SHE IS MIGHTY IN LEADERSHIP.

SHE IS MIGHTY IN COMPASSION AND SHE HAS A MIGHTY IMPACT, UM, AND IN THE WORK THAT SHE DOES.

AND SHE HAS, UM, A MIGHTY MAKES A MIGHTY DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SHE NEEDS TO GIVE HER MORE, HERSELF MORE CREDIT FOR THE THINGS THAT SHE DOES.

WE APPRECIATE YOU, RHONDA, AND WE HOPE, UM, THAT YOU WILL TAKE SOME TIME THIS YEAR TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BECAUSE ONE THING THAT RHONDA DOESN'T DO EASILY IS SLOW DOWN.

SHE IS A GO-GETTER.

AND WE HOPE THAT THIS YEAR YOU'LL TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO REST AND RELAX AND PRACTICE SOME SELF-CARE.

SO AS A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOU, WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR YOU AND SIERRA AND I PUT TOGETHER A BASKET FOR YOU OF SOME, SOME ITEMS THAT WILL MAYBE HELP YOU RELAX AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND AND LET DOWN.

AND WE HOPE THAT YOU SPEND SOME TIME THIS YEAR MAYBE TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF.

BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, .

I COULD GIVE BRIAN JUST A MINUTE HERE FOR COMMENTS.

THANK YOU CHAIRMAN.

UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO RONDA.

UM, SHE'S FANTASTIC.

BUT I CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ROLE THAT JANELLE PLAYS HERE.

UM, JANELLE I HAVE OBSERVED OVER THE PAST YEAR HAS PUT A VERY DELIBERATE AND, UM, CONCERTED EFFORT INTO DEVELOPING STAFF AND PROVIDING STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND BRINGING IN OUTSIDE TOOLS, UH, TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH WITHIN HER STAFF.

SO JANELLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH, WHICH I'VE WITNESSED.

AND, AND I JUST SEE THAT FLOWING DOWNWARD THROUGH YOUR STAFF.

SO THANK YOU.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? CHAIRMAN, WHITE, VICE CHAIR, SUPERVISOR, WHITE .

OH, .

UM, WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS HERE WITH THE

[00:50:01]

I'VE GOTTA EXPERIENCE THAT FIRSTHAND AND SEE WHAT A GREAT JOB YOU DO.

UM, ESPECIALLY REALLY IN YOUR LANE OF WORK.

AS YOU KNOW, AS WE KNOW, AND I DON'T KNOW OF OUR CITIZENS KNOW, BUT YOU DO A GREAT JOB ON WHAT YOU'VE DONE, HOPEFULLY WITH ADDING SOME DIFFERENT TOOLS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO HOLD TO SOME OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU'RE DOING.

HOPEFULLY THAT'S BEEN USEFUL TO YOU THIS PAST YEAR, BUT, UM, VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU CHOSEN TO, TO BE HERE WITH NAVAJO COUNTY AND FOR THE GREAT JOB YOU DO.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHERS? CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIR.

UH, I TOO WOULD JUST LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

UM, I THINK IN, EVEN IN YOUR PREVIOUS, UM, PRESENTATION, UM, IT JUST KIND OF ILLUSTRATES THE THINGS THAT YOU DO THAT, UM, GO UNRECOGNIZED THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT, UM, THAT WE DON'T REALIZE THAT ARE HAPPENING.

SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT FOR US.

WE APPRECIATE THAT AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES THAT AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

IF I COULD SAY JUST A TIDBIT.

SURE.

I JUST, WHEN SHE, WHEN JANELLE TOLD ME THIS, I WAS LIKE, JANELLE, I DON'T LIKE THE SPOTLIGHT.

LIKE, I LIKE THE WIZARD BEHIND THE CURTAIN TYPE THING, BUT SHE UNVEILED THAT CURTAIN.

SO IT'S VERY AWKWARD FOR ME TO BE UP HERE AND GETTING ALL OF THIS KIND OF STUFF.

BUT I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT MY TEAM.

SO MOST OF MY TEAM IS HERE IF YOU GUYS WANNA STAND UP, THEY COME ON.

IF I GOTTA STAND UP, YOU GOTTA STAND UP.

SO I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THEM.

SO THEY'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE.

UM, AND, AND LIKE I SAID, WE ARE A TEAM.

UM, AND, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF MY JOB THAT I DO AND MY TEAM.

AND WE, WE ARE GO-GETTERS.

YES.

BUT, UM, I'M SUPER EXCITED AND THANK YOU.

AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR NEW BUILDING, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.

'CAUSE THAT'S GONNA BRING A WHOLE DIFFERENT RESOURCE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TO THE, TO THE COMMUNITIES WITH THIS NEW BUILDING.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

SO I, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU RHONDA, FOR YOUR DEDICATION, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

YOU REALLY, UM, A SHINING STAR AS PART OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND WE JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

ONE TIME, MAYBE RHONDA AND I GOT OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT A LITTLE BIT.

THERE WAS A REALLY CALL THAT I THOUGHT, HEAVEN, HEAVEN SAKES, HOW COULD WE MESS THIS UP SO BAD? I JUST HEARD ONE SIDE OF THE STORY, YOU KNOW, AND I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS PRETTY POSSIBLE TO ME.

BUT ONCE WE FOUND OUT THE OTHER SIDE, RHONDA HAD DONE AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB OVER AND BEYOND WHAT WAS REQUIRED.

AND SO MY APOLOGIZE ON THAT AND I'VE APOLOGIZED TO HER BEFORE, BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S NEAT TO, TO GET TO KNOW HER BETTER AND GET TO KNOW, UH, RHONDA IS ONE OF THOSE THAT'S JUST SPRINKLE SUNSHINE AND SHE JUST DOES IT.

IT'S FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU, RHONDA.

THANKS.

THANK YOU.

NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ON, UH, THE BOARD OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NUMBER THREE

[3. Presentation to introduce the 2026 Navajo County Community Health Needs Assessment Survey (CHNAS). ]

SIERRA LEY.

IS THAT RIGHT? THANK YOU.

UM, GOOD MORNING CHAIR, VICE CHAIR.

CONGRATULATIONS.

UM, AND SUPERVISORS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.