GREENLEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CLIFTON, ARIZONA JUNE 6, 2006

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1 GREENLEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CLIFTON, ARIZONA JUNE 6, 2006 The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors met on this date in regular session in the 2 nd floor Conference Room, Courthouse Annex, Clifton, Arizona, with the following members present: Hector Ruedas, Chairman; Amy McCullar, Member; and Richard Lunt, Member. Also present were Deborah K. Gale, County Administrator/Clerk of the Board and Yvonne Pearson, Assistant Clerk of the Board. Chairman Ruedas called the meeting to order at 10:0 a.m. and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Ruedas introduced Mr. Larry Stephenson, the new Executive Director of Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO)/Economic Environmental Counties Organization(EECO). Mr. Stephenson is originally from the Seattle, Washington area and has lived in Arizona off and on since He graduated from Arizona State University, served in the army, and has worked in several areas including economic development. Prior to accepting the position with ECO/EECO, he worked 14 years for the Gila River Indian Community as the Economic Development planner for the tribe. Mr. Stephenson has also written books, journals, and articles for different media. Mr. Stephenson thanked Chairman Ruedas for the introduction and stated that he has been on the job for less than a month and is traveling to member counties to meet the Boards of Supervisors. He stated that he is excited about this job and looks forward to moving the organizations from research and grant perspectives to more of an economic development perspective and try to develop and attract businesses within the member counties. The Board welcomed Mr. Stephenson stating that they look forward to working with him. Ms. Nicole Stickler, Executive Director, Arizona Association of Counties (AACO), introduced Mr. Michael Jeanes, Clerk Maricopa County Superior Court, who is traveling with her. Ms. Stickler stated that AACO was started in 1968 to advance the enterprise of county government with key points being communication, education, collaboration, and advocacy. AACO is a non-profit public corporation with elected officials from all counties serving as officers of AACO. She reviewed several legislative issues and bills and stated that the methamphetamine problem in Arizona is a top priority at this time and stated that a campaign targeting youth for prevention of methamphetamine use will be released soon. Mr. Jeanes encouraged the continued support and involvement in AACO. Upon motion by Supervisor Lunt, seconded by Supervisor McCullar, and carried unanimously, the Board accepted the letter of resignation of Justice of the Peace Rocky Manuz, District 1. Judge Manuz is retiring after 20 years in this position. Superior Court Judge Monica Stauffer, recommended that the Board of Supervisors leave the position

2 of Justice of the Peace, District 1, vacant and appoint the person elected at the General Election in November for this position. She stated that she and Justice of the Peace, District 2, Richard Jernigan are able to handle matters for the time being. She stated that if the need arises to have the position filled prior to the election then she will come back to the Board at that time. unanimously, the Board declared the position of Justice of the Peace, District 1 vacant. Ms. Gale stated that pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes the Board is required to set Constables salaries during the year of election. She stated that the maximum limit is $15,000. Currently Constable, District 1, salary is set at $11,500 and Constable, District 2, salary is set at $10,500. Chairman Ruedas expressed that he would like to increase both salaries to the maximum limit. Upon motion by Supervisor McCullar, seconded by Supervisor Lunt, and carried unanimously, the Board established the salaries of constable districts 1 & 2 to the maximum allowable of $15,000 for the next term beginning January 1, Ms. Gale, on behalf on Mr. Larry Leach, Health Director, requested approval to rent office space for the Tobacco Prevention Program from Clifton School District and authorization for the County Administrator to sign the agreement upon approval of the County Attorney. She stated that the Health Department needs more space and that it is not necessary for the Tobacco Prevention Program to be in the same location as the Health Department and that the program has funding available to pay the rental amount of $ monthly. Upon motion by Supervisor Lunt, seconded by Supervisor McCullar, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the request to move the Tobacco Prevention Program office to the offsite location at the Clifton Schools in an amount not to exceed $3,000 annually to be paid with state tobacco funds. Upon motion by Supervisor Lunt, seconded by Supervisor McCullar, and carried unanimously, the Board approved entering into contract for on call professional engineering services consultant with Trueline, Inc. as presented. unanimously, the Board approved a letter of support for Phase II of the Kaler Erosion Control Project. Mr. Ronnerud, on behalf of the County Road Superintendent who could not be present, requested approval to fill a vacant Maintenance Worker position in the Road Department. The position will be vacant with the retirement of Eugene Molina. Upon motion by Supervisor McCullar, seconded by Supervisor Lunt, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the request as presented. Mr. Ronnerud requested approval to fill a vacant Landfill Operator position at the landfill. unanimously, the Board approved the request as presented.

3 Upon motion by Supervisor Lunt, seconded by Supervisor McCullar, and carried unanimously, the Board convened into Public Hearing - amendment 2 of the Greenlee county Solid Waste Fee Ordinance. Mr. Ronnerud stated that the Landfill Task Force has had four meetings to review the tipping fee schedule and have come up with the tipping fee restructure as presented which also addresses other areas to simplify administration of the ordinance. The task force also recommended budgeting to purchase weight scales for weighing commercial vehicles at the landfill. Mr. Tom Powers commented that a vehicle pulling a trailer with garbage should only be charged the $5.00 fee if the vehicle is not also carrying garbage to be disposed. Chairman Ruedas stated the comments would be taken into consideration. Ms. Gale requested approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Erin Collins & Associates and Greenlee County for Human Resources services. She stated that there are very limited resources in our area for the position of a Human Resources coordinator and that the cost of entering into this agreement is considerably less than paying the salary of that position. Erin Collins & Associates will provide the professional services of Human Resources including keeping employee policies up to date and making sure the County is in compliance with federal laws; will provide mandatory training on a regular basis regarding several areas including harassment, discipline, etc. Upon motion by Supervisor Lunt, seconded by Supervisor McCullar, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Intergovernmental Agreement for Human Resources Services with Erin Collins & Associates. unanimously, the Board adopted Resolution approving the Intergovernmental Agreement for establishment of the Arizona Public Employers Human Resources Pool. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF GREENLEE COUNTY APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE ARIZONA PUBLIC EMPLOYERS HUMAN RESOURCES CONSORTIUM. WHEREAS, Greenlee County and other rural public employers have often experienced difficulty in attracting experienced and technically proficient professionals to provide human resources to such entities and their employees; and WHEREAS, the various payroll and human resources information systems currently utilized by rural public employers differ in their ability to effectively provide the necessary functions and typically are not integrated with systems used for other human

4 PAGE 4 resources and benefits functions; and WHEREAS, it has been proposed that the formation of a multi-employer human resources consortium could benefit rural public employers by allowing realization of economies of scale, enhanced access to experienced and technically-proficient human resources professionals and development and implementation of improved human resources and payroll systems; and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Greenlee County has determined that participation in the Arizona Public Employers Human Resources Consortium would be in the best interest of Greenlee County, its employees, its taxpayers and the users of its services; and WHEREAS, public agencies are authorized to enter into agreements for joint or cooperative action pursuant to ARS NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS 1. That the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement as set forth in Attachment 1 is approved thereby authorizing Greenlee County participation in the Arizona Public Employers Human Resources Consortium. 2. That the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement and take such other actions as APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 6 TH DAY OF JUNE, /s/ Hector Ruedas, Chairman ATTEST: /s/ Deborah K. Gale, County Administrator/Clerk of the Board unanimously, the Board approved the Consent Agenda with the exception of the 05/15/06 minutes which were tabled pending corrections: A. Approval of minutes to previous meetings - 05/22/06 B. Approval of demands in excess of $1, C. Approval of change in payroll budget due to hire of - J. Rains, Light Duty Fleet Mechanic; T. Wagley, Court Administrator D. Approval of renewal of Greenlee County Liquor License E. Approval to purchase laptop computer with accessories and multimedia projector for the Health Department in an amount not to exceed $4,849.51

5 PAGE 5 with budgeted TB funds F. Approval of fiscal year 2007 Work and Financial Plan with Wildlife Services for predator control G. Approval to lease (1) Pneumatic Roller in an amount not to exceed $3, with Road funds H. Approval of extension of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality delegation of duties agreement and authorization of Health Director signature I. Approval of correcting adjustment of Martin Certificate of Purchase redemption in an amount not to exceed $93.83 with general funds Supervisor Richard Lunt reported the following: A. The Senate and House are miles apart in agreement on a state budget, both submitting different proposals and different budgets. The Truth in Taxation bill is being hammered and if passed will tie the hands of other counties for being able to have funded mandates at levels that Greenlee County has already been tied to. Chairman Hector Ruedas reported the following: A. He attended the Arizona State Transportation Board meeting in Safford where he made comments to assure that the projects slated for Greenlee County remain on track. He stated that the Highway 191 Guthrie Bridge project will continue for replacement and stated that the request for bid will be going out in August. He extended his appreciation to the Arizona Department of Transportation for the approval for this project. B. He attended the Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Oversight Committee and Mexican Wolf public meetings in Alpine and White River where wolf releases where discussed. He stated that he reminded all parties involved of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that are in place for prior notification to property owners in areas of intended releases. The Board convened into Work Session and Ms. Gale reviewed the following budget issues: Revenues: * Sales Tax - will come in over the budgeted estimate. This is due to the price of copper at this time. No estimate has been received from the Department of Revenue (DOR) for the upcoming fiscal year. The figures issued from the DOR are used in estimating the Greenlee County budget

6 PAGE 6 revenues. * County ½ cent sales tax - on track to come in at the budgeted estimate. No estimate has been received from the DOR for the upcoming fiscal year. The figures issued from the DOR are used in estimating the Greenlee County budget revenues. * Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) - have come in over budgeted estimates. Ms. Gale has received information that the legislature is working on reinstating the amount that was taken from the counties to fund the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers for the past few years. These funds can only be used in the Road Department. * The Attorney General has provided information to Ms. Gale that there are questions whether Accommodation Schools can be funded with Forest Fees - which affect Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding. There is a possibility that PILT funding will be reduced if the decision comes in that the funds cannot be used for funding the Accommodation School as has always been done. No estimates have been received. * Property Taxes - due to negative new construction, property taxes may drop up to 11. Ms. Gale was directed to obtain information regarding Public Health Services District for Greenlee County. * The Board reviewed a tentative summary by fund of revenues other than property taxes provided by Ms. Gale. Many of the estimates are still pending adoption of the state budget. Salaries * Elected Officials pay raises - by statute * Superior Court Judge - County portion of salary will increase $3773 beginning January, 2007 * Superior Court Clerk - salary will increase $3650 beginning January, * Justice of the Peace, District 1 - salary will increase $3396 beginning January, This salary is driven by court case load. * Justice of the Peace, District 2 - salary will decrease $3396 beginning January, This salary is driven by court case load. * New positions proposed by several departments include: Court Administrator; additional Nurse position in the Health Department who will also assist at the Sheriffs Office for inmate medical needs; one additional position in the Information Systems department who will assist with communications/computer equipment at the new emergency dispatch center; part-time Code Compliance/Building Inspector and Planning and Zoning Hearing Officer. * Changes in positions proposed by several departments include: promotion of Field Appraiser to Appraiser in the Assessors Office; change the current

7 PAGE 7 vacant Deputy position to Investigator; promote a Detention Officer to Dispatch Supervisor; promote a Detention Officer to Jail Supervisor; change a Detention Officer position to Administrative Assistant; hire a School Resource Officer. In addition, Ms. Gale stated that Sheriff Steve Tucker has requested that deputies be paid for overtime instead of accruing comp time and has put together a fire arms and ammunition purchase proposal which was presented to the Board for review. Linda Durr, County Assessor, addressed the Board regarding promoting the Field Appraiser to Appraiser in her office. Supervisor Lunt asked Ms. Durr if she is going to be able to meet the statutory requirements to assess all parcels once every three years. She stated that currently the Field Appraiser is assessing approximately ten parcels per day. Ms. Gale stated that the increase in salary for the requested promotion from level 10A to 11A is already included in the salary market adjustment information the Board received earlier. Ms. Durr stated that the person in the Appraiser position will be attending classes to be further certified to assess commercial and agricultural properties and requested that upon receiving that certification that this person be promoted to Appraiser II and the salary increased at that time. The Board stated that they would take the request into consideration. * Employee Related Expenses: Arizona State Retirement will increase to 9.1%; Public Safety Retirement will increase to 8.45%; Elected Officials Retirement - the county portion will increase from 13% to 17%; there will be no increase in healthcare premiums; and there will be a very minor increase in Workers Compensation premium. * Projects * Courthouse Annex Board Room/Emergency Operations Center Renovation * Replacement of carpet/tile on 2 nd floor Courthouse Annex Ron Pearson, Facilities/Fleet Manager, addressed projects including implementation of a Fleet Management plan which includes a vehicle replacement plan to address safety, liability, and economical issues. He also addressed issues regarding County parks. * Other projects include: an upgrade to the heating/cooling system in the Courthouse Annex; an additional building at the Duncan Annex to accommodate the Justice Court; a storage/polling place building at Verde Lee/Loma Linda area. * General Services

8 PAGE 8 * Restoration To Competency - the cost will shift back to the state at 100%. * Other considerations: Podiatry Clinic; Duncan Senior Transportation van insurance; Duncan and Clifton Senior Transportation; Clifton Senior Nutrition Center; Food Banks; Predator Control; County Library; Liability Insurance; Out of County Tuition; Gila Watershed funding. The Board reviewed the salary market adjustment information provided by Ms. Gale who stated that the figures are based on the average of the five smaller counties. The Board will review the information for approval at a future meeting. Supervisor Lunt extended his appreciation to the Elected Officials and Department Heads for their assistance in helping to plan for the future of Greenlee County by providing not only current information but projections to consider into the future. There being no further business to come before the Board of Supervisors, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. ATTEST: /s/ Yvonne Pearson Asst. Clerk of the Board APPROVED: /s/ Hector Ruedas, Chairman