Board approves Duncan Library HVAC grant, juvenile-detention contract, jail reorganization and patrol docking stations

GREENLEE COUNTY — The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors approved four formal items during its regular meeting: a county contribution to the Duncan Public Library to replace an aging HVAC system, a contract with Navajo County for juvenile detention services, an internal jail staffing reorganization, and purchase of docking stations for patrol vehicles.

The board approved a charitable donation of $10,250 to the Duncan Public Library to help replace its HVAC system. Jackie Hale, president of the Duncan Public Library board, told the supervisors the library is a standalone 501(c)(3) that receives only a town donation for electricity and otherwise operates on state library funds, grants and local donations. Hale said the most recent contractor estimates place the replacement at about $20,500 and the library would pursue additional grants and donations to cover the balance. County Administrator Derek Rapier told the board the requested amount represents roughly a 50% match and aligns with a United Way capital-improvement grant that is limited to half of a project's cost.

The board voted to enter a contract with Navajo County to provide juvenile detention services as an additional option alongside the county's existing agreement with Pinal County. Chief Probation Officer Irvin Talich said he and Judge Ford toured Navajo County's facility and found it structured and lower-cost; Talich said Navajo County also will offer access to a planned 12-bed inpatient substance-abuse and mental-health program operated by a private provider. The board approved the contract by voice vote.

The supervisors approved an organizational change in the Greenlee County Jail that reclassifies two jail officer positions into sergeant roles and eliminates one lieutenant position. Jail Commander Tyler Attaway told the board the change would put a supervisor on each shift, relieve the current two sergeants of managing both day and night shifts, and reduce liability and burnout among midlevel managers. Sheriff Eric Ellison and others described rising jail intake numbers since January and said additional on-shift supervision is needed.

The board also approved procurement of full docking stations for patrol vehicles to replace earlier cradles that lacked the necessary power/port functionality. County staff said the corrected equipment will be installed in all patrol vehicles and funded from the county's IT budget.

All four items were approved by voice vote. Routine consent agendas for the Public Health Service District and the Flood Control District were also approved earlier in the meeting by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Charitable donation to Duncan Public Library, HVAC replacement: $10,250 approved by voice vote; mover/second not specified in the record. Notes: library estimates ~$20,500; county contribution represents about half; library receives state library fund allotment (~$27,000 routed through county). (Provenance: public comment and agenda discussion beginning with Jackie Hale’s presentation.) - Contract with Navajo County for juvenile detention services: approved by voice vote; contract intended as an additional option alongside existing Pinal County arrangement; Talich and Rapier discussed transport and per-day user fees. (Provenance: Chief Probation Officer presentation and subsequent motion.) - Jail organizational change (reclassify 2 officer positions into sergeants; eliminate lieutenant): approved by voice vote; purpose: one supervisor per shift, reduce burnout and liability. (Provenance: Jail Commander presentation and board discussion.) - Procurement of squad-car docking stations for Sheriff's Office: approved by voice vote; additional cost ~ $15,000 above prior estimate; funded from IT funds. Docking stations will be transferable between vehicles. (Provenance: Sheriff's Office/IT presentation.)

What the board recorded and next steps The motions were recorded and passed by voice votes (transcript records “ayes have it” but does not list individual roll-call votes). Where budget or contract documents were discussed, staff said the county will execute formal agreements consistent with the motion and follow normal procurement procedures. The library will continue to pursue additional bids and donations and will use the county contribution as part of a funding package.

Sources and context The actions are drawn from the public record and agenda presentations at the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors meeting. Funding amounts, contractor estimates and program details were supplied during the library presentation and by county staff; where the transcript did not name specific movers or record roll-call tallies, the article records that the items passed by voice vote.