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Residents urge Yavapai County to fix Big Bug Mesa Road, citing safety and service failures
Summary
Multiple Walker/Big Bug Mesa residents told the Board of Supervisors their 4.1-mile inhabited stretch of road has deteriorated to the point of limiting emergency access, deliveries and services; residents requested county follow-up and consideration of Schedule A maintenance options.
YAVAPAI COUNTY — Dozens of residents from the Walker/Big Bug Mesa community urged the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors on April 1 to address a deteriorating 4.1-mile stretch of road that they say is impairing emergency access, deliveries and property maintenance.
Larry Graham, Sean Murphy and other neighbors described the first 4.1 miles of Big Bug Mesa Road (the inhabited portion) as increasingly rough and unsafe after a decline in maintenance. Murphy cited county GIS data showing approximately 125 taxpaying property owners in the affected area and said they collectively pay nearly a quarter of $1,000,000 in taxes (as reported in the meeting). Residents said the road’s condition has led to contractors refusing work, higher service costs, and emergency-response difficulties: Audrey Samuelson said AirVac stopped landing at the local fire station because the site was deemed unsafe, and she linked delayed access to additional medical risk.
"We are politely asking that you please help us," Murphy said, urging the board to visit the road and consider remedies. Another resident, John Gerhardt, said delivery companies and local contractors are increasingly unwilling to come up the road and that one neighbor was charged four times the normal price to deliver concrete because of road conditions.
Speakers asked the board to explore adding the segment to county maintenance programs or to a Schedule A cooperative forest road agreement, which is up for renewal this year. Piper Batten asked the board to open dialogue with the community and consider options to spread the financial burden rather than requiring 125 property owners to shoulder the full cost.
Supervisor Mallory said staff should follow up and noted that part of the road is a federal forest road, which complicates responsibility and options. The board later moved into executive session and returned with no immediate action; Chair Compton closed the meeting with no votes taken on the matter that day.
Speakers quoted: Sean Murphy (Walker/Big Bug resident).
