Graham County

Key discussions during the meeting involved seeking approval to increase the capitalization threshold for machinery and equipment from $2,500 to $5,000 to align with the uniform accounting manual for Arizona counties and simplify asset tracking. The Board approved a quick claim deed for right-of-way property on Black Rock Road. Updates were provided on numerous ongoing projects, including the Main Street building remodel, fairgrounds improvements (waterline and landscaping plans, and receiving a $1.2 million congressional directed spending award for reclaimed water line distribution), deepening the fairgrounds pond, CDBG grant sidewalks, courthouse improvements concepts, Central Park construction, finalizing a contract with Mutual Link for school interoperability, and plans for A building upgrades and painting exhibit buildings. Furthermore, progress on the Clean and Lean ordinance, Building 4 heater project, and scheduling the Tallywash project start date were reported. Supervisors also discussed topics from the Eastern Counties Organization board meeting, such as Mexican Wolf management and forest thinning.

The meeting involved several official actions and discussions. Key topics included the approval of minutes from the regular meeting and work session held on January 20th, 2026, and the approval of demands and handwritten warrants, with a review process for items over $1,000. The Sheriff's office requested and received approval for a professional services agreement with WSW Security Solutions for annual jail lock inspections and maintenance, noting significant cost savings compared to other bids. The County Attorney's office secured approval for three employees to attend the annual PBK training in St. Louis, Missouri, focusing on updates to their case management system. Approval was also granted for the application for the 2027 Drug, Gang, and Violent Crime Control Grant through ACG JC to fund the drug crimes prosecutor position. The Treasurer presented and received approval for an over-the-counter tax deed offer for parcel 106200025A. The board approved the appointment of precinct committeemen for the Democratic Party across several Safford and Artisia precincts. The IT department received approval for three formal IT policies, including incident response protocols for cybersecurity events. Finally, the County Manager received approval for a funding agreement with the Arizona Department of Housing for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, totaling $291,022, designated for constructing approximately 2,500 feet of sidewalk and ADA parking spaces around the Graham County Fairgrounds. Approval was also granted for a special event liquor license for the annual Big Buck Contest, which supports the Southeastern Arizona Sportsman Club.

The meeting addressed corrections to parcel numbers (41 and 42 instead of 141 and 142) on the agenda and previous minutes, leading to the tabling of Item number one for the next meeting to allow for corrections. A public hearing was held for Item number two, a request by Gerald and Kaylee Willie to rezone 11 acres from General Land Use to CM Commercial Manufacturing for future development opportunities along highway frontage. The committee voted favorably for this item. Item number three involved a request by Swap and Marks Construction Incorporated to rezone APN 107-39-031 to CM Commercial Manufacturing to bring current use into compliance; this also received a favorable recommendation after discussion regarding the scope of current operations on the property. One commissioner recused themselves from Item number three due to a conflict of interest. Updates were provided on previously approved rezoning matters, including a location on Lebanon Road and 191 for an ice machine and storage units, and the Freeport offloading in Ashurst. The need for documentation regarding parcel sizes for future agenda items was noted.

The Board meeting covered multiple agenda items presented by various department representatives. The Sheriff's office discussed and received approval to apply for several grants, including the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission drug, gang, and violent criminal control grant, and two 2027 Governor Office of Highway Safety grants for DUI enforcement overtime and speeding enforcement overtime. Approval was also granted for the purchase of a $3,500 Toughbook computer for an investigator, funded through investigations funds. Furthermore, the Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with DPS for $100,000 focused on enforcing immigration, smuggling, and gang laws, as well as jail reimbursement costs. Finally, approval was sought for the $70,000 Operation Stone Garden agreement for overtime and fuel reimbursement. The Treasurer presented offers for two tax deed parcels in the Siesta Hot Springs area for the full amount of taxes, fees, and costs. The HR department requested approval for the reclassification of the Sheriff's Office Assistant position to Sheriff's Office Accounting Clerk, moving the salary range from a 10 to a 14, due to evolving financial duties. Manager Welker presented a proposal for an unbudgeted capital project, not to exceed $55,000, to insulate the east side of the A building, upgrade interior and exterior lighting to LED, replace electrical panel breakers, install light switches, and replace outlets with GFCI compliant ones. The Board also approved out-of-state travel for the WIC director to attend the National Wick Association annual education conference in Dallas, Texas, in May to obtain necessary CEUs.

The meeting commenced with the call to order confirming a quorum. Key discussions focused on two rezoning requests. The first item involved REZ 94325, a request by Bloomfield Companies to rezone property from A (General Use) to CG (Commercial General) for storage and intermittent training use, which raised concerns from a nearby resident regarding traffic, speed, diesel trucks, and the impact on homestead property, though staff clarified the rezoning would not affect the resident's property. The second item, REZ 94425, requested a change from A (General Land Use) to RM (Residential Manufactured Home) for future development by Stephanie Howard. This proposal drew opposition from Wanssley Farm LLC, concerned about noise, chemical usage, dust, and flood zone impacts on their adjacent agricultural land. The commission discussed the required infrastructure, particularly sewer and septic considerations for the proposed RV park, before voting favorably on the second matter to send it to the board of supervisors.