Graham County supervisors approve permit transfer, ratify pump purchases, rezone parcels and join national opioid settlement

The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved a series of routine and unplanned actions during a regular meeting, including a liquor-permit transfer, two unbudgeted pump purchases, a rezoning correction and formal participation in the national opioid settlement.

Vice Chairman David moved to approve the transfer of an interim permit to a permanent Class 6 liquor license for a local business; he said the applicant seeks alcohol sales to serve restaurant patrons and added he hoped “they don't turn it into a bar.” Planning staff noted the eastern portion of the building historically held a license dating to the 1950s and reported no public protests.

Steve Puzis of the Graham County Highway Department asked the board to ratify an unbudgeted capital purchase of an unleaded fuel pump at the highway yard “not to exceed $15,000,” saying the existing pump, installed in 1987, “makes it 39 years old.” The board approved that purchase by voice vote.

County manager Welker requested authorization to replace a courthouse irrigation well pump, repair wiring and replace a section of the main line, estimating work at $4,000–$5,000 and asking a not-to-exceed amount of $6,500. Welker said the original equipment is at least 30 years old and that Allen Pump had pulled the failed unit. The board approved the unbudgeted courthouse pump purchase.

On land use, Steve McGaughy of planning and zoning described a clerical and noticing error affecting four contiguous parcels that were intended to be rezoned from special development to residential multifamily. He said staff re‑noticed the affected property owners, received no responses and recommended conforming the parcel to match the other three; the board approved the rezone as presented.

Manager Welker also gave several updates: overdue inmate-housing payments from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe were received after involving the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the Main Street building remodel is expected to finish around May; the fairgrounds master plan is approaching final construction review; a CDBG RFP for sidewalks and ADA parking will open May 4; Central Park construction is underway; and the county's $2.5 million congressional funding request for courthouse improvements cleared an early inclusion hurdle in a representative's package and still must pass subsequent federal steps. Welker said the county will issue an RFP for herbicide treatment on fire breaks with health-department oversight.

Near the meeting's end, the board moved into executive session. After returning, Supervisor Howard moved that Graham County participate in the new national opioid settlement; the motion passed by voice vote. The transcript does not record vote tallies for the board's motions.

Votes at a glance: • Liquor-permit transfer — approved (motion by Vice Chairman David; second by Supervisor Howard; tally not specified in transcript). • Highway fuel pump (unbudgeted, ≤$15,000) — approved (mover not specified in transcript; voice vote; tally not specified). • Courthouse well pump and associated wiring/main-line work (unbudgeted, requested ≤$6,500) — approved (mover: Vice Chairman David; second: Supervisor Howard; tally not specified). • Rezoning correction (four parcels to residential multifamily) — approved (mover and seconder recorded in meeting; tally not specified). • Participation in national opioid settlement — approved (mover: Supervisor Howard; second: Vice Chairman David; tally not specified).

The board closed the meeting after those items. Several action items remain procedural: the CDBG bid opening is scheduled for May 4 and the congressionally directed funding request must still clear House, Senate and presidential approval before funds are available.