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Graham County OKs long-term lease extensions for three communications towers
Summary
The Board approved amendments extending existing tower leases with Singular/T‑Mobile at three county-owned sites, adding five-year renewal options (up to 25 years) and annual 3% rent increases; county receives just under $6,000 per month from the sites today.
Graham County supervisors approved amendments to extend leases with Singular (associated with T‑Mobile) for equipment on three county-owned communications towers, the board heard at its Aug. 4 meeting.
County manager Dustin Welker presented the amendment package, noting the changes extend each site with five additional five‑year renewal options and an automatic 3% annual rent escalator. The three tower locations are at Graham Cemetery, Pima City Hall and a county tower behind the county offices in Safford. Welker told the board the three sites currently generate “just shy of $6,000 a month” in combined lease revenue.
The amendments leave the original lease terms in place but add the extension options. Vice Chairman Paul David asked whether the county’s agreements with underlying landowners — the Town of Pima and the Bureau of Land Management — could be extended to avoid the county being locked into a long-term commitment if those entities raise their fees; Welker said he would follow up with that information for the board.
The board made a voice motion to approve the lease amendments; the chair called the motion passed.
Clarifying details recorded at the meeting included that each amended lease provides five additional five‑year options (potential 25 additional years) and that rent increases by 3% annually. The presentation stated the county receives approximately $6,000 per month under the existing arrangements. No vote tally by name was recorded in the transcript.
The county will review whether underlying landowner agreements can be extended to match the potential lease duration, per the manager’s follow-up commitment.
