By Tammy Gray –
More than $418,000 in criminal justice grants were accepted by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
Included were a $245,193 Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Byrne grant, a $93,632 drug, gang and violent crime control grant, and a $79,184 crime victim compensation grant.
The largest of the three, the Byrne grant, funds the operation of the county’s Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT).
“The fund pays for one deputy from the sheriff’s office, and one officer each from the cities of Winslow and Holbrook, and the towns of Pinetop-Lakeside and Snowflake-Taylor,” a memo requesting approval of the grant by the board noted.
The Byrne grant requires matching funds of $49,039. The county plans to use RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations) funds received from the state to pay the matching funds. RICO funds come from assets seized from criminals by law enforcement agencies.
Of the $245,193, a total of $81,227 will be used to pay for detectives’ salaries, $49,523 for fringe benefits, and $114,443 for professional or contractual services.
The $93,632 drug, gang and violent crime control grant will help pay the salary of a county attorney in the upcoming fiscal year. A $23,408 match is required, bringing the total to $117,040. Of that amount, $89,050 will go directly toward salary and $27,990 will be applied to fringe benefits. Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon previously noted that his department relies on grants such as these to keep a full staff. A number of the positions within the county attorney’s office are funded in full or in part by grants.
The $79,184 crime victim compensation grant is awarded annually to the county attorney’s office. It does not require matching funds, and is not used for salaries. The bulk of the grant, $69,384, is set aside for compensation of victims of crime. Funding can assist with medical bills, lost wages or other losses as the result of a crime. Remaining grant funds are set aside for administration of the grant, including $6,800 for travel expenses and $3,000 for supplies.
Board members unanimously approved acceptance of the grants for the upcoming fiscal year.
In other action Tuesday, July 10, the board:
* Approved conducting precinct-based for Districts 2 and 3 of the Navajo County Community College District, and the Joseph City Water Improvement District on Nov. 6.
* Approved continuing an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Show Low for participation in the Show Low Special Response Team.
* Approved a $37,034 contract with GMCO Corporation for delivery and application of road stabilizer/dust suppressant for two Navajo Nation road gravel projects.
The next board meeting is set for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24, at the county governmental complex in Holbrook.
