[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6219514,"mediaKeyId","3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256","parentId",3622218,"title","County manager updates: Motorola radio upgrade, fairgrounds millings and chip sealing progress","audioSeconds",422,"startMs",3040000,"endMs",3462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256&start=3040&end=3462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256/thumbnail_3040000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6219514/Graham-County/Arizona/County-manager-updates-Motorola-radio-upgrade-fairgrounds-millings-and-chip-sealing-progress","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219514-5ff0d7d361a195cb2ce85427792086d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770708809&Signature=FCoVttnjHDMBkTiE0RX8ynsbAGuyR3BQY0YMAtMpG-YBQy~REZOuXQXITgnWLdSyFD1J0SGISFvXGaBpQQDFKr8stw7yZWy2yeRk7FPmN08lvVr1bwG8UMBZlGnKd0WN~5Mk9WNrJf9lKBu0bdlebycrIo7uDPjT-qEqta-a9aPq-n3pZtMu68KZ1cZktBvj9LmG7e4f3Z9d9Xm0W0wHA1teF7Mvw1NQvCLX6BuZrP4DATPO3wTscCuZ7l6dYZ~eMOH0HGpOLddHMN8mpjbHIMoRSIV4M1wXI8aHOj7pw5-mMnohIcVgAt2LREcRKI78IAah~RAZ3g7k1ocnq0OIOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Graham County, AZ","date","2025-06-03T03:49:35Z","article","County staff updated the Graham County Board of Supervisors on several ongoing projects and the budget timeline.

Dustin Walker, introduced in the meeting as a county manager, said staff completed a five‑hour budget work session and will reconvene for a second session to prepare a preliminary budget. Walker said fund balances provided in late May indicate the county is “in a good spot.”

Walker and engineering staff reported progress at the fairgrounds: a Department of Corrections paving crew has laid millings for the first fairgrounds parking lot in two lifts (an approximate 4‑inch depth), and work on a second parking lot has begun. Walker said the county is discussing emulsion treatment to stabilize millings for longevity.

Walker also gave an update on the county’s Motorola radio‑system upgrade, a roughly 18‑month project to convert towers and dispatch to digital. He said the system has been live for about four weeks, technicians remain on site to resolve bugs, and staff expect to finish before the end of the fiscal year.

Highway work reported by Walker includes chip sealing across Pima, Fort Thomas and the central county area since May 1 and a small contract to chip seal eight miles of town roads for the town of Pima. He said the county’s four graders were back in operation and road grading had resumed.

Supervisors also noted community events: a successful little‑league season and an upcoming adult league that will use the fairgrounds facilities. The updates were provided as informational reports; no board policy changes or funding votes were taken at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors, 6/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Graham County’s manager and department heads briefed supervisors on budget work sessions and infrastructure updates, including a radio-system digital upgrade, fairgrounds parking millings work, and ongoing countywide chip sealing.","taxTitle","Graham County, Arizona","taxId",27861,"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},6219518,"Board hires retired county engineer Michael Bryce as part‑time consultant to finish NRCS watershed work",287,2794000,3081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256&start=2794&end=3081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256/thumbnail_2794000.jpg","/articles/6219518/Graham-County/Arizona/Board-hires-retired-county-engineer-Michael-Bryce-as-parttime-consultant-to-finish-NRCS-watershed-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219518-17d7a640dc555a1e4add4f7bf1ec0c25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770708809&Signature=J2xH8TViJ0w32u1lkSSdgwa6RoJZgJ7XpM-kmARvMZadha5SdJgGbc-hYJtGajctWuZZlqV1AE9Jc340JlgDyDde0joCN~nGGHeRByZqG~ugJid37yRIBU~537~kQmZVFSCDRdLDL7hROMCCo8ZhoQIo5ntJupAHO6aucajf5Xvi00r45M270FfO1Lt86aceWTU~t7jEGqVYpbVP8zxpnhongFhWxF6OmTRtXXZRVrTpe57kDtq-C1AzYA7DA3TwALH3U~yTK0oWCKIjG7wa9xbnfisVt6UnbpAsAEt2OB7bzYAWaZibixBl42KmceSC~QAGN5bXNbvgNQfAyoRgNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Graham County Board of Supervisors voted to hire retired county engineer Michael Bryce on a limited, part‑time consulting contract to finish a multi‑year Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) watershed grant project and to help with right‑of‑way mapping.

County manager Welker told the board Bryce retired after 25 years serving Graham County and added private‑sector experience; staff proposed a part‑time contract to complete outstanding work. Welker said the contract would run from July 1 through Dec. 31 and would allow up to 19 hours per week, paid hourly “as needed” and approved by the county’s new engineer.

Welker said the NRCS watershed project — a multi‑year effort involving coordination with Stafford, Thatcher and Pima — is near completion and staff hope to finish portions in September and October. He said the consulting agreement would also allow Bryce to help research county right‑of‑way records and other legacy engineering items.

Board members thanked Bryce for his long service. One supervisor said the NRCS work has progressed “to snail's pace” but that Bryce’s experience and relationships had been important. The board approved the consulting agreement by voice vote.

Under the contract, the county’s new engineer will authorize Bryce’s hours and assign tasks concentrated on NRCS deliverables and right‑of‑way documentation. County staff said the contract term could end earlier if work is finished before Dec. 31.","Graham County approved a part‑time consulting agreement with retired county engineer Michael Bryce through Dec. 31 to complete a multi‑year NRCS watershed grant project and to assist with right‑of‑way research.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219524,"Supervisors approve United We Stand special-event liquor license pending security changes; VFW local approval forwarded to state",328,2272000,2600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256&start=2272&end=2600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256/thumbnail_2272000.jpg","/articles/6219524/Graham-County/Arizona/Supervisors-approve-United-We-Stand-special-event-liquor-license-pending-security-changes-VFW-local-approval-forwarded-to-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219524-dd13fc186041004eca0b1f1ceccf2c50/orig.mp4?Expires=1770708809&Signature=mG-l43AhtWVvwCE7HU62EERpVIAs4KYrNCK~SI8h6vJGEKlTXuUsBkLF-8L1DDaA3WiGL~hhounUI7TtQR6Tw6z8KcmR~tFxi7vHvbsLhT7KGz~7iOBgCBppOSC3EurT1Y4EPxpS~72ci3gsMlSk3ag74ubqWJuVwAbeiaGd8gm9iBhj9YIc~-bah7LZLbI9VPq4SRaLnCT2uA77olGbHfy5Bh~m4JmQfEIFBAskWIPC-B81onQKyZMU-7qG2lBygg1ufPqjCwsrWc5oaeQEiacZG1DMwPk64fiL5MlvkG~v-tdeQHQLqOPug11BolsEFVamZKVIsbb4MkL6XB-0Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved a special-event liquor license for a July fundraiser called United We Stand, contingent on revised event-diagram and security information that planning staff must accept.

Steve McGaughey of Planning and Zoning presented the application for a July 19 fundraiser at the agricultural building at the fairgrounds, saying the event would run from 5 to 10 p.m. and that alcohol operations would be managed by “Sarah's bullpen.” McGaughey told the board he did not “know a whole lot more about it than that” and that the application arrived early.

A board member raised concerns about the sketch in the application that showed bar placement and guest circulation, noting it lacked details about how the county and organizer would separate minors from areas where alcohol is served and that it did not list security personnel. The board discussed asking the applicant for a revised, clearer diagram and information about security (for example, off-duty deputies) before final approval; Planning and Zoning staff volunteered to review a revision instead of returning it to the full board.

The board approved United We Stand’s special-event liquor license on the condition that Planning and Zoning accept the revised security diagram and staffing plan. “Pending the…a revision of the diagram and more information, that's acceptable to planning and zoning…we go ahead and approve the special event liquor license for United We Stand,” a board member said before the motion passed on a voice vote.

On a separate liquor matter, Planning and Zoning presented an application from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post to reinstate an on-site liquor permit it had previously held. McGaughey said the post had let its license lapse and that one of the listed responsible parties disclosed a prior law-enforcement incident; he said the state liquor officials may request a change of a managing person even if the county signs off. The board approved the local-government portion of the VFW’s application and left any state-level protest or requirement to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

Both items were approved by voice vote with the conditions described above. Planning and Zoning will receive and review the requested revisions for the United We Stand event and county staff will forward the VFW application to the state for final action.","Graham County’s supervisors approved a special-event liquor license for United We Stand contingent on a revised security diagram acceptable to Planning and Zoning, and approved local sign-off for a VFW liquor application while noting the state may review background information for a responsible party.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219528,"Board approves Mary Aiden right-of-way payment modification tied to CDBG project",153,2132000,2285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256&start=2132&end=2285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6219528/Graham-County/Arizona/Board-approves-Mary-Aiden-right-of-way-payment-modification-tied-to-CDBG-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219528-d973953a15b6b223f746993e50f2166e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770708809&Signature=eZ0UMSm0m8KEORU1aanwf1CQVm7b3mqXVaKEYeBWi7qRESrTBIII75ueULS3nb1GLG8RYEGLuqICGWypQbV0S1SpgMOHCoTOZtfcBg5nEXFTagPJSmb5arpaOTafRCQ~C7Dtj8oNSdNYquJdl4mrfP25I8ruap6VP6SA3kDN0HCipZctxf2I~wQjsdmrW6WrguGN8HoFvePgKUFKuo3walR4J7PPdymPwlt-kj0O4~BISerDLevGzpliDCcrBC3lCfvHi9VSWosSuO1fbkJnNFXhz2rhPAdZ4N92EXA9lsCkWv2DMZseZf2DKf0EGs8fmUHiQLcaQmslylNG7APjPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved a payment modification to the Mary Aiden right-of-way to correct the amount on the county’s records.

Eric Engel of the county engineering department told the board the item “came to your board meeting last time, but the payment in there was the wrong number. So this is just modifying that to reflect what's actually on the books and what she's supposed to get.”

A board member reminded colleagues that the parcel acquisition was tied to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and said the county has not changed its policy about routinely paying for right of way. “This is a community development block grant, federal money and was a requirement,” the board member said, noting that donors sometimes grant right of way and receive tax reductions.

The board made a motion to approve the Mary Aiden right-of-way payment modification; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The consulting and engineering work on right-of-way mapping and other highway projects will continue under the county’s engineering office. Engel was welcomed to his new position by board members during the discussion.","Graham County approved a correction to a right-of-way payment for a project funded by a Community Development Block Grant, with board members emphasizing county policy on right-of-way acquisitions and federal grant requirements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6219532,"Graham County approves FY26 indigent defense contracts for seven attorneys",898,1260000,2158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256&start=1260&end=2158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3622218-7545b346fd4d74e7d0f40e564408a256/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","/articles/6219532/Graham-County/Arizona/Graham-County-approves-FY26-indigent-defense-contracts-for-seven-attorneys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219532-f84d7e82e73234eb555921991783f26a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770708809&Signature=PRBxYMfmXxrLkvlSyqJOdWVx6UZ24HBv2UTN9~oQx8lt-N-d3EjAtUsMgnMKK2N7Bx-ubtu2RUx618fk0IfQUjHHCJFVfqQSSoM~s-SwQreaoPkmKUm3Erb7xs4sE0nxJLkImjtUZYQ-CL6k3C47JcHHWG7mCzvTEDEq1PetgjyjBeHNwHFLW-4gpX5O50q4uKqQQKLjaeVmaIaitFJ-hqC~5tqZSPWrUJU5Hk76-PbYWOHdbI4N7cwwR73BzwNgX3miATFieQYgjT2V1M0tpaoLXdJD3Wxd-NxNbki6zpRlNTYKdVVPXnMeNserLZ~Q5aFGcxGLMUuzNyPe6ohN8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Graham County Board of Supervisors on a voice vote approved indigent defense agreements for seven attorneys covering adult and juvenile appointments for fiscal year 2026.

Mindy Young, a representative of the Superior Court, told the board she was presenting nine contracts and said, “This contract mirrors fiscal year 25. There are no increases or modifications to this contract. And it's the same case load, 140 cases.”

The board approved adult indigent defense agreements for Dennis P. McCarthy, Rebecca Johnson, Daisy Flores, Raymond Geiser and Stephen Robertson and renewed adult and juvenile contracts for Josie Y. Lopez and Rebecca Johnson. Young noted Attorney McCarthy’s contract includes a $5,000 annual stipend for his role as legal advocate for the Graham County Adult Veterans and Community Wellness Court and said, “we currently have approximately 40 individuals on community wellness right now and they're really, helping a lot of people with that stipend.”

The contracts generally mirror FY25 terms, Young said, and do not increase per-case rates. Several attorneys have separate, standalone juvenile delinquency contracts; Young presented the juvenile contracts for Josie Y. Lopez, Rebecca Johnson and Raymond Geiser as renewals or continuations. Young said Geiser was added pro rata in FY25 to help with a high caseload and “has been a huge help to Ms. Lopez and Ms. Johnson.”

Supervisor Howard thanked Young for the clarity of the contract materials and praised the attorneys’ work, saying their service “is a great toolset for Graham County” when diverting and reducing recidivism. A board member noted the county budget includes the cost of providing counsel and observed the county spends “over $600,000 a year” on statutory obligations to provide representation.

Board members made motions to approve each contract in turn; each motion passed after the board answered “Aye” on the voice vote. The board did not change caseload limits, compensation terms or stipends in the renewals presented.

What this means going forward: the county will continue using the same indigent defense appointment structure and stipend levels described by Young for FY26. Young and the board referenced a state requirement that juveniles receive appointed counsel; Young said she would defer to the county attorney for legal specifics on that mandate.

The board’s approvals put the FY26 contracts in place; Young said the Superior Court will continue to manage appointments under those agreements.","The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved renewals and new indigent defense agreements for multiple attorneys for fiscal year 2026, preserving existing caseloads, stipends and a juvenile representation expansion the board said is now mandated by state rule.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County manager updates: Motorola radio upgrade, fairgrounds millings and chip sealing progress

Board hires retired county engineer Michael Bryce as part‑time consultant to finish NRCS watershed work

Supervisors approve United We Stand special-event liquor license pending security changes; VFW local approval forwarded to state

Board approves Mary Aiden right-of-way payment modification tied to CDBG project

Graham County approves FY26 indigent defense contracts for seven attorneys