Restrooms To Be Built At Park School Soccer Field

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   A partnership between Navajo County and Holbrook schools could result in construction of restrooms and an equipment storage building at the soccer fields behind Park Elementary School.
   The Board of Supervisors approved spending up to $50,000 in District III Secure Rural Schools funds for construction of the building during a meeting on Tuesday morning.
   A letter from Holbrook School District Superintendent Mary Koury explained the request for the funds.
   “As you know, Park School is located adjacent to Holbrook’s Hunt Park and the municipal swimming pool, as well as the Navajo County Fairgrounds,” she wrote. “For many years the district has provided a competitive soccer program at the high school level for our youth. The district has also supported the com-munity youth soccer program and provides the Park School playfield for practices for both programs. The district would like to partner with the county to make improvements so that the use of this field can be ex-panded. A building with restroom facilities and room for equipment storage would be a critical first step in extending the usefulness of this playfield.”
   According to Koury, the building would be constructed by students in the Holbrook High School build-ing trades program, giving the students practical experience while also reducing costs. The building would be maintained by the school district.
   The supervisors unanimously approved the request.
   In other action June 23, the board:
   * Approved an agreement for a Criminal Justice Commission Crime Victim grant.
   County Attorney Brad Carlyon noted that the grant funds a position within his office.
   * Approved the abatement of personal property taxes and removal from the tax roll as requested by Treasurer Manny Hernandez.
   Hernandez explained that the action simply cleans up the books in regard to taxes that cannot be col-lected.
   * Approved the expansion of the White Mountain Lakes Fire District Board from three members to five.
   * Approved extending a temporary janitorial position for the Facilities Management department.
   * Approved the issuance and purchase of a bond for the North Whistle Stop Loop improvement district.
   * Approved continuing the four-day work week schedule for the Public Works department until the legislature votes on a bill that could change the county’s ability to have four-day work weeks.
   * Approved contracts with Brimhall Sand and Rock, Cholla Ready Mix, Hatch Construction and Paving and Perkins Cinders for purchase of “various roadway materials.”
   * Approved a special use permit for the Perkins Roping Arena located in the Linden area.
   * Adopted ordinances amending county code to simplify the code enforcement hearing process.
   Essentially the code is amended to require only one notice of violation and one hearing per case.
   * Authorized a line of credit through Bank of the West to be extended to the Lakeside, Pinetop, Linden, Heber/Overgaard and White Mountain Lakes Fire Districts.
   * Approved a list of take home vehicles for fiscal year 2009-10.
   * Approved a revised travel policy.
   The new policy includes the same approvals for in-state travel as currently exists for out-of-state travel.
   * Heard a presentation on a potential early retirement incentive plan.
   As proposed, the county would need $3 to $5 million up front to pay employee benefits. Board mem-bers asked staff to return with a more cost-effective plan.
   The next board meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at the Navajo County Complex.