[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6099137,"mediaKeyId","2821273-72476b2d887feaa6f3264fb9d1f6f2f2","parentId",2821273,"title","Gila County public works director outlines road miles, equipment needs, chip-seal plan and budget risks ahead of retirement","audioSeconds",5368,"startMs",2175000,"endMs",7543000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821273-72476b2d887feaa6f3264fb9d1f6f2f2&start=2175&end=7543","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821273-72476b2d887feaa6f3264fb9d1f6f2f2/thumbnail_2175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099137/Gila-County/Arizona/Gila-County-public-works-director-outlines-road-miles-equipment-needs-chip-seal-plan-and-budget-risks-ahead-of-retirement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099137-c532520f8921961963c5c498452d2b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198914&Signature=Ke554Zx-merfYn1Bzmn1iOHTRYnXEhW1nx-BtsG0eLytkU0uU5AFnkjHbyYcotzysmD~I4C-YHfpCVhWb2Bm5-hBr6sgI6qmST6lcdHaCtTr9zufpLNWGj5hMEjh1WfwoilMJ-9yaTSd5ABduLVDx~U0~1ZTae-iF7UuGSLt0kWChn62FHMZ80clVloDquOEPji2UOhVaNWXdPvSeV0P4B4I1ExBVao5~6dQdLM~HRE5TsLxQPDbpa~QLSw9Q8RwAIjM~CHCDVxMof1mc3u5hApiC9cb-w69MN83WmvVsXEQqR1hqbBVIFPuYrjYN8yOnvsEt-r3xmFUVbBKWimmsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gila County, AZ","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Homero Palmeiro, the county’s public works director, briefed the Gila County Board of Supervisors on March 25 on road miles, revenues, equipment replacement needs, ongoing projects and policy proposals — and said he expects to retire soon.

Palmeiro told the board that Public Works has 32 road operators who collectively maintain roughly 750 miles of county roads and that ‘‘in general in Gila County Public Works, our operators… maintain 24 miles per person.’’ He described three broad budget pressures: longstanding revenue limits tied to fuel and excise taxes, inflation that outpaces modest year-to-year gains, and a backlog of equipment and capital needs. Palmeiro said the county’s public-works revenue from core sources was ‘‘a little over $9,000,000 in 2024’’ and that a carryforward balance held additional funds but that the department is approaching a point at which it must ‘‘live within our means.’'

Equipment and fleet: Palmeiro and staff reviewed the department’s heavy-equipment inventory and proposed replacements. The department has 14 active motor graders and identified two older graders (model years cited in presentation) recommended for near-term replacement because of hours and parts-availability concerns. The draft capital proposal spreads equipment purchases across fiscal 2026 and 2027, with equipment requests totaling roughly $1.5 million in FY26 and $650,000 in FY27 as the first-phase estimate. Palmeiro said staff favor buying used replacements rather than leasing due to lease interest costs and recommended targeted swaps so newer equipment is distributed across road yards.

Chip-seal and pavement preservation: The presentation included a five-year pavement-preservation strategy. For spring 2025 the department planned a record 26-mile chip-seal program with a material budget of about $741,000 for those miles; staff estimate chip-seal material at about $35,000 per mile and crack-seal material at about $10,000 per mile. Palmeiro described a lower-cost approach for certain previously sealed roads: contract milling of old asphalt followed by county double chip sealing. He warned that full pavement reconstruction costs remain roughly $1 million per mile and that projects of that scale will require state or federal grants.

Forest Service and material pits: The board heard that roughly 484 miles of Forest Service roads are maintained under agreement and that changing recreational use (ATVs/UTVs) and hunting have increased maintenance demands. Palmeiro said the county needs better material pits with finer binder (clay) for durable road surfacing and described work to pursue new pits and environmental assessments, some of which the Forest Service partially funds. He and staff discussed trials to improve surface stability (mixing clay, using stabilizers such as calcium/magnesium chloride or lignosulfate) to lengthen road life and reduce rework.

Projects and funding: Ongoing and proposed projects include Russell Gulch (smart-grant-funded design with an ADOT-managed reconstruction effort), Golden Hills sidewalk phase, Houston Mesa Road, Gibson Ranch Road design and other watershed and drainage items; Palmeiro said the funnel of projects totals about $15 million with roughly $11.6 million expected from external grants and $3.6 million county share. He urged the board to adopt a five-year capital plan at budget time so the county can balance recurring operating revenues against multi-year capital commitments.

Policy proposals: Palmeiro raised policy issues for future board action, including a consolidated county road policy and gravel-road design standard, clearer criteria for adding roads to the county-maintained system, a review of the county’s dust-palliative policy and a possible “road commission” or citizen advisory committee to provide independent input on road priorities and petitions. He noted the county currently applies Arizona Revised Statutes language about petition-driven road additions and said staff are preparing draft ordinances or policy language for board review.

Staffing, training and apprenticeships: The department has an in-house apprenticeship and CDL training effort and is updating operator certification paperwork and skills tests to meet OSHA and LTAP-style training standards; Palmaeiro asked that the board endorse a progression policy that recognizes equivalent training pathways if LTAP seats are limited.

Retirement and succession: Palmeiro told the board this work session is likely his last and thanked staff and supervisors; colleagues and the county manager praised his leadership and urged staff continuity. Supervisors did not take formal action on the items at the meeting; Palmeiro said staff will return with detailed budget requests and proposed ordinances.

Palmeiro’s presentation included specific budget markers and proposed next steps rather than final votes. Staff were directed to continue work on grant applications, material-pit environmental assessments and a five-year capital plan for the board’s budget review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gila County BOS Meeting March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public works director Homero Palmeiro detailed fleet replacements, a 26-mile chip-seal plan, capital projects and the county’s revenue limits, warning the board that Gila County is ‘‘a year or two away from having to live within our means.’’ He also confirmed he will retire soon and thanked staff.","taxTitle","Gila County, Arizona","taxId",27860,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099142,"Cobre Valley Youth Club asks Gila County supervisors for continued support to expand programs",1311,991000,2302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821273-72476b2d887feaa6f3264fb9d1f6f2f2&start=991&end=2302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821273-72476b2d887feaa6f3264fb9d1f6f2f2/thumbnail_991000.jpg","/articles/6099142/Gila-County/Arizona/Cobre-Valley-Youth-Club-asks-Gila-County-supervisors-for-continued-support-to-expand-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099142-55a42a744cd9b436febec51c57c168e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198914&Signature=eTnS1Ggj9mbv5JxXPQbQBeWo4O3bNm1wFBgtTB3H5NWwH6O9KIMLCipgeVy8P0UQZXUrZEwCaBYOFp4OrDAdWsYAX0elW0dCjbJMQtIrw9OL0I29Ja-mSj897ldBvtwKbmwoGn6GkUCZgdMfE6kReWTqxw65QKu5C604EIz30BGs99NNfyGycrUDBvWQRyOlFvFt1A9gfP5kUQV-OyfI-i66GLcAa77n~VAUlq8rvSu2ThEXgEl0WoLZ9NAHOzV~PyKNzouEZHyDKDQwQ52MyGP9nJHqR2CoPN4M5j0bz0W-VXPPG6ZWAtlrpSK4EGVc9gV5o0zAz7tDIwE~8C05vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carmen Casillas, president of the Cobre Valley Youth Club and a former vice mayor of Globe, told the Gila County Board of Supervisors on March 25 that the club needs continued county backing to expand programs and meet urgent facility needs for children from Globe, Miami and San Carlos.

The club, Casillas said, has shifted from a drop-off childcare model to a broader youth-development organization that ‘‘empowers, inspires, and engages our next generation,’’ offering classes that range from Apache language and culinary training to IT and first-aid. Casillas said the club works with Arizona Workforce and local partners, and that staff provide one-on-one support for high-risk youth.

Casillas told supervisors the organization recently regained its 501(c)(3) status after prior administrations failed to file tax paperwork, a lapse the board heard left the club temporarily ineligible for some funding; the club’s treasurer Brian Romney volunteered to restore compliance. She said the club’s three most immediate facility needs are a replacement playground (she cited a previous repair estimate “close to $60,000”), upgraded sinks (three sinks), and other repairs to make the building safe and code-compliant for summer programs.

Supervisor Humphrey praised the club’s local focus and said donations that stay in the community matter; he offered to help with grant applications. Supervisor Klein asked about safety training for children and parents; Casillas said the club provides ‘‘self awareness’’ and self-defense-style instruction, coordinates with the Globe police department for training, and works with local homelessness and family services when children need housing or additional support.

County staff present encouraged Casillas to apply for county grant funding and said staff would assist with the application process. Casillas also highlighted a planned summer music program working with Councilman Mariano Gonzales and an upcoming swimming lessons initiative. She closed by recounting a recent case — an emergency response for a family living in a vehicle — to illustrate the club’s role in connecting children with shelter and services.

The presentation ended with supervisors and staff offering practical follow-up: Humphrey and other supervisors expressed willingness to help pursue grants and donations, and staff said the county’s grant office would assist with application forms and compliance requirements.

Casillas asked for continued county assistance so the club can sustain and broaden programming; supervisors did not take a formal vote but directed staff to help with the grant-application process and encouraged continued coordination.

The meeting moved on after the board thanked Casillas for the presentation and offered logistical help and a point of contact at the county for grant submission.","Carmen Casillas, president of the Cobre Valley Youth Club, updated the Gila County Board of Supervisors on the club’s programs, recent nonprofit reinstatement and facility needs including a playground and upgraded sinks, and requested continued grant and county support.","actionData","errors"]

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Gila County public works director outlines road miles, equipment needs, chip-seal plan and budget risks ahead of retirement

Cobre Valley Youth Club asks Gila County supervisors for continued support to expand programs