Graham County leaders on Wednesday presented an award to representatives of the Arizona Department of Corrections for a collaborative project that converted ADOT millings into roughly 4.5 acres of paved parking at the county fairgrounds.

County Manager Welker told the Board of Supervisors the work — handled by a DOC inmate paving crew using DOC equipment — produced about 514 new parking spaces and “an estimated savings of $1,500,000” for the county. “This is just not a story of financial success; it's been a model of innovation and partnership that we're really proud of,” Welker said.

Welker said county staff supplied engineering, design and materials and DOC contributed specialized equipment and labor. The county’s engineers and surveyors worked alongside the DOC crew, and county crews completed the final oil-and-rolling application. Welker said the project used millings from a Highway 191 ADOT project and that reusing an existing environmental review for a CDBG park project helped expedite work.

Dan Turley, who coordinated the effort with DOC, described the SMART team — a special maintenance and repair crew of incarcerated individuals with technical skills — and said the program gives participants “better opportunity to advance themselves” for life after incarceration. Deputy Assistant Director Jim Cummins said DOC leadership embraced the proposal and supported putting inmates with relevant skills into community projects.

County supervisors and staff emphasized safety and long-term maintenance benefits from the newly delineated parking and detention features. A vice chairman said the improvements reduce chaotic parking and runoff, while county staff noted the fairgrounds project is one of several planned upgrades that also include tree planting and playground improvements.

The board presented formal recognition to Jim Cummins and DOC staff and invited DOC representatives to participate in future fair events. County officials said they continue to rely on DOC crews for maintenance tasks at the fairgrounds and hope to expand similar collaborations.

The board’s recognition concluded the presentation; the item did not involve a separate formal vote beyond the award and public remarks.