News
Stay informed and engaged with what's happening in Navajo County by reading our latest news updates. I invite you to also visit our social media pages regularly to keep up-to-date on important developments, community events, and the progress we are making together. Your involvement and awareness are crucial as we work towards a brighter future. Let's stay connected and continue making a difference in our community.
Forest restoration efforts pay off
Whiting credited a long list of local officials, industry leaders and Forest Service partners for the progress. “This is something we should be really proud of for our whole region. Ten years ago in the White Mountains Stewardship, we were doing 8,000 acres with some pretty heavy subsidies. Since that time, those subsidies are no longer there and industry is still functioning. We’re taking the money spent on subsidies and putting more acres out. When your margins are thin, it doesn’t take a very big bump to create an all-hands-on-deck problem. I really want to say think you to everyone for extending trust and trying to find ways forward instead of just what works for you.”
Comprehensive Plan update will include long-range guidance of Renewable Energy development in Navajo County
The Board of Supervisors has heard questions and concerns about proposed renewable energy (wind/solar) projects and has taken steps to ensure that the role and placement of renewable energy production facilities is thoroughly reviewed and discussed with public dialogue. The County announced June 17th 2024 that its recently initiated Comprehensive Plan update will include an in-depth review and guidelines for renewable energy production facilities for the next 20 years.
Investment in renewable energy production has become an attractive development in Navajo County due to the convergence of natural wind currents, abundant sunshine, and the availability of options for power transmission to other parts of the state, so get involved with the Comprehensive Plan update at
https://publicinput.com/navajocounty2050
Navajo County property tax to remain unchanged (3rd lowest property tax rate in the state)
Navajo County officials have announced that there will be no increase in the primary and secondary property tax rates for the Public Health District, Library District and Flood Control District for the fiscal year 2024-2025. This marks the seventh consecutive year that property tax rates have remained unchanged.
Despite the stable tax rates, the County anticipates an increase in property tax collections because of rising home valuations. Officials estimate an additional $263,000 in primary property taxes and an extra $189,000 in secondary property taxes will be collected in the upcoming fiscal year.
For homeowners, this translates to a modest increase in annual property tax payments. For a home valued at $520,000 and assessed at $260,000, the flat property tax rate means an increase of approximately $11.80 per year, or about $0.98 per month.
In accordance with state law, any increase in property tax collections mandates a public “Truth in Taxation” hearing. This hearing is scheduled to take place in the Navajo County Board of Supervisors Chambers at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9.
Navajo County officials have announced that there will be no increase in the primary and secondary property tax rates for the Public Health District, Library District and Flood Control District for the fiscal year 2024-2025. This marks the seventh consecutive year that property tax rates have remained unchanged.
Despite the stable tax rates, the County anticipates an increase in property tax collections because of rising home valuations. Officials estimate an additional $263,000 in primary property taxes and an extra $189,000 in secondary property taxes will be collected in the upcoming fiscal year.
For homeowners, this translates to a modest increase in annual property tax payments. For a home valued at $520,000 and assessed at $260,000, the flat property tax rate means an increase of approximately $11.80 per year, or about $0.98 per month.
In accordance with state law, any increase in property tax collections mandates a public “Truth in Taxation” hearing. This hearing is scheduled to take place in the Navajo County Board of Supervisors Chambers at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9.
Mail-in and early voting in Navajo County 101
The Navajo county primary elections are just around the corner, and mail-in and early voting can be confusing. Here is everything you’ll need to know to vote early or mail in a ballot in the Navajo county primaries:
Navajo County’s existing Comprehensive Plan
This week, our Elections Team was visited by the Secretary of State’s Office for Logic and Accuracy testing.
Logic and Accuracy tests are performed before and after every election to certify the accuracy of our county's tabulation equipment and accessible voting devices. This week’s Logic and Accuracy testing was done in advance of the July 30th Primary Elections. The results are in: our equipment passed the process! Later the same day, the County conducted their Public Logic and Accuracy test and passed as well.
Navajo, Apache county economies holding their own
Navajo and Apache counties continue to hold their own as state and national job growth slows from the big gains of the past few months. The March figures showed that all three counties continue to track along with the statewide figures.
Navajo County’s jobless rate for March was 4.6%, well below the same month a year ago. The total number of people in the workforce has risen by about 1% in the past year to about 40,000.
Middle Mile broadband network construction begins
“Over the past 3½ years, we have seen the project go from an idea to a $20 million project. It is a game-changing project that will improve the quality of life for generations to come.”
Keeping Navajo County connected
Improving broadband connectivity for Navajo County residents is becoming a reality.......
Navajo County urges residents to test their Internet speed
Navajo County certifies presidential-preference vote
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting last week to certify the results of the presidential-preference election. Donald Trump won on the Republican side; Joe Biden won on the Democratic side.
THE APACHE RAILWAY’S FUTURE BRIGHTENS
“The Apache is such a tremendous asset to our community,” said Navajo County Supervisor Jason Whiting. “It provides Navajo County and the Town of Snowflake a connection to other markets, increasing our ability to better do business throughout the southwest. For economic development purposes, the more assets a community has, the better chance it will attract meaningful investment, and the jobs that go with it.”
Supervisor Jason Whiting to serve as president of County Supervisor Association
“I’m deeply honored and excited to be able to serve my fellow supervisors in this role,” said Supervisor Whiting in thanking his colleagues for their support electing him to lead CSA. “Policies enacted at the state and federal level directly affect county services and the overall cost of government. It is critical that county supervisors forge a strong partnership with lawmakers to inform their consideration of proposed legislation, helping them to understand what various policies mean to constituent services and the local taxpayer. Solid collaboration between the state and its counties promotes more efficient and responsive government across our state, and I am looking forward to leading the association’s work to this end.”
Supervisors Whiting elected chairman
Jason Whiting will play a pivotal role in representing Navajo County on the Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties and will also serve as the Chairman of Eastern Arizona Counties (ECO). Daryl Seymore is set to take on multiple roles, including involvement in the Arizona Public Safety Retirement System and the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan. Seymore will also serve as an alternate member of the CSA Legislative Policy Committee (LPC).
Navajo County leaves property tax rates unchanged
Supervisor Jason Whiting wanted to underscore the point. “So as I understand it, the rate, we’re looking at the rate to stay the same.”
Economic development is a key focus for Navajo County
Pasterz also announced the launch of REALAZ.org, a new website designed to showcase Navajo County’s business opportunities and real estate listings. This platform provides detailed demographic data and economic information across the county’s northern, central, and southern regions. “One of the things that we’ve done to make sure that all of our communities don’t miss out on business interests or business inquiries is we’ve developed REALAZ.org,” Pasterz stated. The site features active listings of all available commercial and industrial properties across Navajo County. Pasterz highlighted the goal of the website was, “to put more hooks in the water for these businesses to see what’s available when it comes to industrial, commercial properties.”
In support of Jason Whiting
Eastern Arizona Counties Association brings Legislators to witness Forest Restoration
It has been our great pleasure to get to know Jason Whiting. Jason has been a staunch advocate of the forestry industry and has worked tirelessly from Washington, D.C., to Eagar, to engage our federal and state agencies in securing certainty in an uncertain future.
Whiting rises to better defend the county
On November 15, the CSA executive board unanimously elected Whiting as the association’s Third Vice President. In that position, second down from the top, he is line to rise to the presidency in 2023.
Whiting named ‘supervisor of the year’
Whiting has played a key role in advocating for the 4-Forests Restoration Initiative, the White Mountains Stewardship program and other efforts to revive the timber industry in Arizona to help thin the badly overgrown forests.
"A government partner and shown consistent support for the Forest Industry"
As we approach this season of elections, it is important that I add my voice in support of those who have worked tirelessly as a government partner and shown consistent support for the Forest Industry. I want to thank Supervisor Jason Whiting, from Navajo County, for his specific effort. He has been engaged and shown priority support for forest restoration. Supervisor Whiting has served as a critical intermediary and has carried the message that individual industry members cannot. Novo BioPower would be disappointed to lose his knowledge and advocacy in this fragile but critical industry.
Bradley Worsley
Snowflake
Timber industry faces ‘critical’ situation
“It’s critical that we bring all the stakeholders together – APS, SRP and the Forest Service are all aware,” Whiting told the supervisors. “I think people were unaware of how truly urgent the situation truly is. Something has to be done quickly and we’re working hard to make sure all the appropriate players are at the table.”
Loggers, counties issue warning to Forest Service
“We are writing to you to express an urgent concern about the stagnation and possible collapse of the federal Four Forest Restoration Initiative despite the availability of industry capacity. 4FRI serves no purpose if it does not produce on-the-ground results commensurate to its level of funding,” said the letter from the coalition of Eastern Arizona counties including Gila, Apache and Navajo counties.
The letter was signed by Navajo County Supervisor Jason Whiting
White Mountain Lakes gets a new governing board
Supervisors Chairman Jason Whiting said, “Thank you for your level of interest. I know sometimes you didn’t know where the county stood on things — whether friend or foe. Public service is about the opportunity to serve those you represent; it’s not about power or your own will
Navajo County approves $20-million broadband plan
Supervisor Jason Whiting said the contract represents three years of effort to overhaul the region’s slow, outage-prone broadband. One study found that internet companies don’t deliver speeds comparable to many urban areas – and most don’t even consistently deliver the speeds promised to consumers. Most of the county sits at the end of a connection down to the Valley. A break in the line anywhere along more than 100 miles of cable can knock out service to the entire county for extended periods. The added trunk line will create a loop, so the signal can be rerouted to maintain service in case of a break anywhere along the line.
The reliance of businesses on the internet, coupled with the big increase in telecommuting, has made adequate internet essential to the region’s economic future, said Whiting.
“This has been a big deal,” said Whiting. “I’m already starting to see a lot of people moving to rural parts of Arizona, in part because they can telecommute. It was the one silver lining of COVID: People can work from home and we’re seeing more and more people coming, but they need the internet. It will support future growth.”
Whiting has played a leading role in recent years in pushing both the state and federal governments to thin the overgrown, fire-prone forest
“The Arizona legislature has opened up for business, which is exciting and scary at the same time,” said Supervisor Jason Whiting, who works with the Eastern Arizona Counties Association to lobby the legislature. “We’ll have a chance to monitor what they’re doing – and make sure your voice is heard.”
Whiting has played a leading role in recent years in pushing both the state and federal governments to thin the overgrown, fire-prone forest — while also salvaging the remains of the region’s once-thriving timber industry.
Navajo County supervisors laud championship teams
“In my capacity as a supervisor,” said Whiting, “we got calls about cyber bullying that was going on through social media. We had an opportunity to talk to our players about cyber bullies — and these three (team captains) and many others stood up and very quickly condemned the bullying that was going on. They didn’t just do it there. They went online and they called people out to stop doing it. These young men are not just champions on the football field — they were champions in life. Thank you for our leadership and thank you for being with us today.”
Fox10’s Ron Hoon interviewed Chairman Jason Whiting on Arizona Morning
Fox10’s Ron Hoon interviewed Chairman Jason Whiting on Arizona Morning about Navajo County’s Community Day of Prayer and Fasting
Navajo County Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board elected
“I appreciate the confidence my fellow supervisors have in my ability to lead and serve this coming year,” said Chairman Jason Whiting. “I don’t take their trust lightly and I’m committed to continuing and furthering the work we have been doing to represent and support Navajo County and our residents. We have some exciting days in front of us as Arizona continues to see positive economic growth as a whole, but we recognize that we have challenges here at home and we have work to do to support employers in our communities. My fellow board members and I are committed to continuing those conversations to develop solutions and move forward in partnership with them as well as to pursue new opportunities for Navajo County.”
Biomass decision may save forest restoration efforts
Navajo County Supervisor Jason Whiting said, “It would appear the commission now understands how much this matters to Arizona and its citizens. A month ago, this was on its deathbed — but through numerous prayers and efforts from concerned citizens, leaders and elected officials we are now moving in the right direction.”
Navajo County goes to Washington
In their discussions with the various officials, Navajo County officials hand-delivered a letter outlining possible solutions to the wood shortage issue. They discussed the reintroduction of the Mexican gray wolf with Flake, and the senator told the group a request had been made to delist the wolf from the Endangered Species Act and turned the issue over to the states.
Continuing the dialogue on issues relevant to the Navajo County
Navajo County Board of Supervisor's Chairman Jason Whiting and State Sen. Sylvia Allen, Chair of the Education Committee, spoke to and listened to comments by regional school superintendents at a meeting at the Snowflake Unified School District office on Feb. 12. This meeting, in particular, was to thank Senators Allen and Carlyle Begay for their efforts toward restoring funding to the Joint Technical Education Districts which affect technical and vocation training for students.
