County Board OKs Contract For WML Fire District Administrator

By Linda Kor
   Assistant County Manager Dusty Parsons was relieved of his duties with the White Mountain Lakes Fire District during Tuesday’s meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.
   The board approved a contract with John Flynn of Policy Logic, LLC naming him the successor district administrator for the troubled fire district.
   The fire district came under scrutiny after reporting a deficit of nearly $1 million last January after records showed the district was in the red by $90,000 just six months earlier.
   According to Jason Moore of the Navajo County Attorney’s Office, the initial objective was to stop the financial mismanagement and secure the assets of the fire district, and Parsons was successful in doing that.
   “With that issue addressed, Mr. Parsons proceeded to appoint willing folks from the White Mountain Fire District to an advisory committee in order to select a district administrator,” explained Moore.
   The seven-member committee, which was headed by resident Larry Messick, reviewed three applicants and determined that Flynn was the most qualified for the position.
   “The money for Mr. Flynn’s payment will be the responsibility of the White Mountain Lakes Fire District,” stated Moore. The contract agreed upon is for monthly payment of $6,500.
   Flynn addressed the board and informed the supervisors of his experience dealing with fire districts. “I have 30 years of experience and 18 of those was chief of the Apache Junction Fire District,” stated Flynn. “Most of my dealings have been in financial management; it’s something I’ve done for a long time and know how to do well.”
   County Attorney Brad Carlyon expressed his gratitude to the residents of the fire district who were so willing to donate their time and energy to assist the district through this difficult time.
   In action March 10, the board:
   * Approved a recommendation for a special event liquor license for St. Anthony School at Pinetop Country Club, located at 6734 Country Club Drive in Pinetop.
   * Authorized letters to Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and Senator Jon Kyl requesting support to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study for the Winslow Levee rehabilitation, Piñon Road Yard and Obed Bridge.
   * Approved a contract amendment with Keefe Commissary Network, LLC. The amendment allows for inmate families to add funds to pay for inmate meals either by Internet or by using a toll-free number.
   * Approved a contract extension with Vital Chek, and a Navajo County Library District contract with SirsiDynix in the amount of $1,500.
   * Approved a resolution canceling the May 19 election for Timberland Acres Domestic Water Improvement District for and appointing Sharon Shields to a four-year term on the board of directors, as she was the only candidate who filed nominating papers for the one vacant position.
   * Approved a resolution canceling the May 19 election for Timberland Acres Special Road District No. 1 and appointing Brian Shields and Caiaphas Nunnally to three-year terms on the board of directors, as they were the only candidates who filed nominating papers for the two vacant positions.
   * Approved an agreement for professional services as alternate medical examiners with up to eight physicians.
   * Approved the amended lease agreement for the boundary of the Navajo County business site in the Kayenta Township.
   * Awarded a $58,288.54 contract to Crafco Inc. for a crack sealer.
   * Approved a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for water resource investigations and the maintenance of the three water-gauging stations in the Little Colorado River at Holbrook and Winslow, and Jacks Canyon south of Winslow, with the USGS funding $58,000 and Navajo County funding $88,200 over a period of three years.
   * Approved an amendment to an intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, the Navajo County Board of Supervisors through the Navajo County School Superintendent, and the Navajo County Superior Court through the Juvenile Court for Title I and other associated funds for juvenile detention education services.
   * Adopted an updated travel policy. This update would allow supervisors to budget their own meal and travel expenses as well as that of their staff utilizing their budget allotment without approval of the county manager.
   * Ratified execution of a $54,200 contract with Maximus Consulting Services Inc. dated Feb. 10 for a countywide user fee study identifying potential sources of revenue for county departments.