Graham County supervisors approve contracts, staff position and deeds; hear public comments on wreaths and road deed

The Graham County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 18 approved a series of routine and project items, including renewal of a jail counseling contract, creation of a new probation officer position funded by the state, acceptance of a quitclaim deed for a road right‑of‑way and the offer of 11 tax‑foreclosed parcels for over‑the‑counter sale. The board also held a required public hearing and unanimously endorsed a local endorsement for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10385’s bingo operation and heard public comments about Wreaths Across America and a disputed strip of Clough Avenue.

The approvals came during a regularly scheduled meeting in which County Manager Welker, department heads and members of the public provided updates on county projects ranging from fairgrounds paving to road design. The board’s votes were routine and passed by unanimous voice votes as reflected in the meeting record.

The most immediate financial item was the ratification of an agreement between McDonald Counseling Services and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office for alcohol and drug counseling services in the jail. “The classes that McDonald puts on helps with recidivism in our community,” said TJ of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, describing the program as part of the county’s reentry work. Supervisors moved and seconded the ratification and recorded the motion as adopted.

The board also approved the treasurer’s request to offer 11 parcels that had been foreclosed for unpaid taxes over the counter after an open auction produced no bids. Treasurer’s office staff, filling in for a colleague, read the parcel numbers into the record and said the minimum bid for each parcel is set to cover the taxes, fees and foreclosure costs. The listed parcel numbers were 10332139, 10332140, 10959017, 10959019, 10959083, 10959084, 10959016, 10959018, 10959035, 10959064 and 10959074 (11 parcels total).

On public safety and staffing, Herman Andrews of adult probation asked the board to approve a new probation officer position to handle an increased standard caseload. He said the position will be funded by the state and that probation officers in Graham County do not receive county‑provided vehicles as a standard. The supervisors approved the new position.

Engineering and planning items included approval of the ninth amendment to the professional services agreement with Tetra Tech for the Hila Valley (Gila Valley) Watershed plan environmental assessment, and the acceptance of a quitclaim deed for right of way on Central Road from Sam Daley. Eric Engel, representing the engineering department, introduced both items; the board approved them by voice vote.

During a scheduled public hearing required for local endorsement of charitable gaming, county staff explained that final authority for bingo licensing rests with the Arizona Department of Revenue and that the county’s endorsement is a local formality. Manager Welker said the request came from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10385 at 3481 W. Eighth St. in Thatcher and described the post as having resumed activity after membership revived. The board moved to provide the local endorsement and voted in favor.

In public comment, Kat Sticklin, who identified herself with the American Legion Auxiliary and as a local organizer, described plans to place live wreaths for Wreaths Across America. She said the group has permission for 15 cemeteries in the county and estimated approximately 3,000 wreaths would be needed; she said wreaths are being sold for $17 each (two for $29) and that volunteers and donations are being sought. “We put them on on the second Saturday in December, which is the 13th this year, and then we will be taking them up in January,” Sticklin said.

Also during call to the public, Lon Whitmer described a long-running boundary and right‑of‑way issue involving Clough Avenue and a donation of the road to the county by the Whitmer Family Trust. Whitmer said county actions created a minor land‑division mistake and that the trust has agreed to donate the road to the county only after certain conditions were met, including cleanup of boundary issues and a chip seal. He asked supervisors for assistance to reduce legal risk while the trust pursues a quiet‑title action to clear the strip in question. “What I’m asking is that I need help from the county supervisors to mitigate the risk of complications when we do this quiet title,” Whitmer said. Rachel Whitmer, speaking separately, asked the board to expedite the process because the trust’s property interests were being delayed.

Meeting business concluded after a brief call to the public and a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes of Aug. 4 regular meeting: motion passed by unanimous voice vote (ayes recorded in meeting record). - Approve demands and handwritten warrants (payment of bills): motion passed by unanimous voice vote. - Ratify agreement renewal between McDonald Counseling Services and Graham County Sheriff’s Office for alcohol and drug counseling services: motion passed by unanimous voice vote. - Offer 11 tax‑foreclosed parcels over the counter (parcel numbers listed in text): motion passed by unanimous voice vote. - Approve new adult probation officer (state‑funded): motion passed by unanimous voice vote. - Approve Ninth Amendment to Tetra Tech professional services agreement for the Hila/Gila Valley Watershed plan EA: motion passed by unanimous voice vote. - Accept quitclaim deed for right‑of‑way on Central Road from Sam Daley: motion passed by unanimous voice vote. - Provide local endorsement to Arizona Department of Revenue application for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10385 bingo: motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

No items in the meeting record show votes recorded as opposed, tabled or postponed. Several items were presented as staff updates or briefings; the board asked no substantive policy changes beyond the approvals listed above.