[{"_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",6258981,"mediaKeyId","3143936-fb6191495fc7234e417cd861dc0a2101","parentId",3143936,"title","Gila County public works director briefs supervisors on roads, equipment and budget; urges five-year capital plan","audioSeconds",8825,"startMs",2211000,"endMs",11036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143936-fb6191495fc7234e417cd861dc0a2101&start=2211&end=11036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143936-fb6191495fc7234e417cd861dc0a2101/thumbnail_2211000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258981/Gila-County/Arizona/Gila-County-public-works-director-briefs-supervisors-on-roads-equipment-and-budget-urges-five-year-capital-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258981-2958c7b5855dcd67955d9b2d37adb5af/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209456&Signature=ApBxokkdBfb8tJUHYJey0mN1vMrCxnim35XaWZDczQ1Yw9v~S5KEwf7jkuCbbiu3hFVqWqMCOQ9hqiRTundQroZ9KVFUjUB78qoCSSeZW10mpXr6TUnXjPWoXZc6cNZZ-2bz3rPli9WVCgvLWU7~ulIZS780gNHzO~qNtyq6al4S-LHa9JYCY1CegZkJj4E4Rx~qN0m219F9RRGpcpWXWaYEhxBf4z7-1UDQ1wLL1aiIXiNV8ELCOdzMmM2GpyEvk3FAaJR~uFhNEcgweMHQRfbtIghGXyGZrTzwgh5Jim6VBHp9y4hkHQxo6ORqOtWnc1hd2Ty5gFUEiw0c8Jcvxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gila County, AZ ","date","2025-04-29T11:56:25.59Z","article","Homero Palmeiro, director of Gila County Public Works, told the Board of Supervisors on March 25 the department faces competing demands across miles of county and Forest Service roads, aging heavy equipment and a limited recurring revenue stream that together make a five‑year capital plan essential.

Palmeiro summarized revenues, capital needs and ongoing projects and urged the board to require a multi‑year plan as part of the budget process. He said the county’s HEERF revenue sources and other transportation revenues total about $9,000,000 in 2024 and that the department currently holds approximately $17,000,000 in carryforward funds from prior years. Those carryforward funds are encumbered by ongoing projects, he said, and he recommended preserving a multi‑million‑dollar buffer for future grant matches, unexpected cost increases and revenue volatility.

On road mileage and staffing, Palmeiro said the department has 32 road operators (including supervisors) and that, on average, each operator is responsible for about 24 miles of road. He repeated a central theme: “we are stretching the dollar already,” and emphasized that inflation has outpaced modest increases in gas/excise revenues since 2006.

Forest Service roads and material pits

Palmeiro and supervisors discussed the county’s maintenance of roughly 484 miles of Forest Service roads. Supervisors and public works staff said those roads receive more recreational traffic than in past years and that increased use accelerates degradation. The presentation recommended a pragmatic reassessment of which Forest Service roads the county should maintain and suggested a future work session with the Forest Service to quantify the county’s contribution and discuss shared funding for material pits and improved surfacing.

Palmeiro said available material pits often lack clay or binder, making gravel prone to blowing and rapid deterioration. He described planning for expanded pits and environmental assessments, and noted prior discussions about trialing clay or chemical binders (calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, lignosulfate) to extend road life. He recommended pursuing material pits with better binder content and coordinating cost‑sharing with the Forest Service.

Equipment and staffing

Public works presented a multiyear equipment plan. The department reported 14 active motor graders (some units older than 30 years), numerous dump trucks and other heavy machines approaching end‑of‑life. Palmeiro said the department would like to replace two high‑hour motor graders in the near term and identified a proposal of roughly $1.5 million in capital equipment for fiscal year 2026 and $650,000 for fiscal year 2027 if the board approves phased replacement.

Palmeiro and staff also reviewed alternatives — purchasing used equipment, renting rollers during chip‑seal season, or auctioning older units — and advised against leasing as a cost‑effective strategy today. Supervisors and mechanics discussed brand consolidation versus open bidding for county vehicles; staff noted maintenance familiarity and parts training favor continuing with a principal vendor but acknowledged potential savings from competitive procurement.

Chip seal and pavement strategy

Public works reported plans to chip‑seal about 26 miles in the spring 2025 cycle at an estimated $741,000 — a record annual mileage for the county — followed by a multi‑year program that would average additional miles through 2029. Palmeiro presented textbook estimates for routine pavement preservation (crack seal, chip seal and re‑graveling), and said reconstruction remains costly (he cited up to about $1 million per mile for full pavement reconstruction). He urged prioritizing grant applications for larger pavement projects and using county crews and equipment for chip‑seal work where feasible.

Budget and five‑year planning

Palmeiro offered a two‑year equipment and capital projection and argued the board should require a five‑year capital plan before approving the FY‑26 budget. Using his model, he showed a constrained recurring revenue picture: about $4.5 million in salaries, $3.2 million in operating supplies (including material for crack and chip seal), roughly $1 million for routine preservation and $600,000 for capital equipment if the county lives “within our means.” He warned that without a longer horizon the county risks exhausting carryforward funds needed for local matches on large grants (Russell Road, Gibson Ranch Road, others).

Policy proposals and next steps

Palmeiro introduced several policy ideas for future board consideration: a consolidated county road policy (acceptance criteria for adding new county roads, gravel‑road standards, minimal traffic thresholds), updates to the dust‑palliative policy and a possible citizens’ advisory road commission to review petitions and capital priorities. He recommended clearer standards for accepting new roads into the county system to avoid maintaining substandard 20‑foot roads that increase long‑term maintenance costs.

Palmeiro closed by urging supervisors to authorize staff to build a five‑year capital plan and to pursue stronger coordination with the Forest Service on material pits and cost‑sharing. He also announced his planned retirement and thanked staff; supervisors and county manager offered public appreciation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gila County BOS Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works Director Homero Palmeiro presented road‑maintenance statistics, equipment replacement priorities, ongoing projects and a proposed multi‑year capital plan. He highlighted HEERF revenue trends (~$9M), a $17M carryforward, chip‑seal targets and the need to coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service on 484 miles of service roads.","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},6258986,"Cobre Valley Youth Club asks Gila County supervisors for help to expand programs, repair facilities",1297,991000,2288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143936-fb6191495fc7234e417cd861dc0a2101&start=991&end=2288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143936-fb6191495fc7234e417cd861dc0a2101/thumbnail_991000.jpg","/articles/6258986/Gila-County/Arizona/Cobre-Valley-Youth-Club-asks-Gila-County-supervisors-for-help-to-expand-programs-repair-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258986-cf67574309f1a0d771b13c2ff0dd6018/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209456&Signature=DixBY7BBhg8455ShZWAn3jWlJj-OnXa6MXYC~RUTcUodVOEwqxYl7BtsggCZ2altzKht2wJqJG~X~4xK7uINgHIqts-6j1HPt8qPGJ14lyHq65MTkUz6BpCMWNQNaetmK9wu2BQ4hB4xb8TYmjyC2FkUQHdtypTg5fWdpjsvcHP5SB-wY8FGdK4Kf1MObApYcgAUxPqJUkvLC0LBjtBcCi1BOM8qWcwARQ6qeB75tImGeBTnP6NQTJ9gifwRYRDbhuWLciPwfO1DBDElGfGzrnI6xIgdJw9tuvCKxBYPSeP7oKNmaCcadh9GVVTaTSu5aJXUC0eroS7f-1Xs9nXl-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carmen Casillas, president of the Cobre Valley Youth Club, told the Gila County Board of Supervisors on March 25 that the volunteer nonprofit serving Globe, Miami and San Carlos has regained its IRS nonprofit status and is seeking continued county support to expand youth programming and repair club facilities.

Casillas said the organization’s mission is “empowering, inspiring, and engaging our next generation,” and described a range of programs from swimming lessons and first‑aid classes to music, language instruction and one‑on‑one support for youth with behavioral or trauma‑related needs. She credited local partnerships — including Arizona@Work and the library — for helping place members in job and training opportunities.

The presentation stressed immediate facility needs. Casillas said the club recently resolved a lapse in its IRS filings and now has its nonprofit status back, which she said allows the group to pursue donations and grants again. She identified a playground replacement and surface work (sod or safety chips) as a primary need and said contractor quotes put that cost “probably about close to 60,000.” She also listed plumbing upgrades (three sinks) and other repairs as items that must be addressed before the club can expand programming.

Supervisors responded with offers of help and follow‑up. Supervisor Humphrey said he has prior service on the local Boys & Girls Club board and offered to help the Cobre Valley Youth Club with grant information and applications. Supervisor Klein asked whether the club offers safety or parent training; Casillas said the club provides self‑awareness/self‑defense and works with the police department on training and safety protocols. County staff at the meeting urged Casillas to submit a formal grant application to begin the county’s grant review process.

Casillas described specific programming planned for the coming months: summer swimming lessons, a music program coordinated with Councilman Mariano Gonzales to obtain donated instruments, culinary classes, language instruction and job‑readiness work with Arizona@Work. She gave a brief example of a member who began at the club as an introverted teen, participated in Arizona@Work programming, and now works in IT and homeland security fields.

The meeting did not include any formal county action on funding; supervisors encouraged the club to submit grant paperwork and said they would help where possible. Casillas said she would follow up with county staff on grant applications and other technical assistance.

The club provided names of board members and staff during the presentation; Casillas asked supervisors to consider ongoing investment in the program so it can continue serving local youth.

The discussion took place during the Board’s work session and was framed as a presentation and request for help; no motions or votes occurred on the item.","Carmen Casillas, president of the Cobre Valley Youth Club, told the Board of Supervisors the nonprofit has regained 501(c)(3) status and is seeking funding and in‑kind help for programs and repairs including a playground estimated near $60,000 and kitchen upgrades.","actionData","errors"]

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Gila County public works director briefs supervisors on roads, equipment and budget; urges five-year capital plan

Cobre Valley Youth Club asks Gila County supervisors for help to expand programs, repair facilities