Supervisors address infrastructure, emergency management, community programs, and more at lengthy October 7 meeting

At their October 7 meeting, the Gila County Board of Supervisors approved a long list motions spanning infrastructure, emergency management, community programs, and administrative contracts. Highlights included funding increases for major public works projects, acceptance of a $50,000 APS grant for emergency outreach, and renewal of the County’s annual financial and legal service agreements.

Members of the Gila County Board of Supervisors: Chair Steve Christensen (District 1), Vice Chair Woody Cline (District 3), Supervisor Tim R. Humphrey (District 2). All members were present at this meeting.

Public Works and Infrastructure

• Granting a 25-year franchise to Pine Meadows Utilities, LLC for wastewater utility service to customers in the Houston Creek Landing and Pine Ridge subdivisions in unincorporated Star Valley. Charlotte Asrarynezami, clerk of the board, explained that this is a renewal, and a public notice has been published.
• Replacing infrastructure under the Azure Local solution through a contract with Sentinel Technologies, Inc. from October 7 through December 8, 2025, for $330,281.86. Carrie Bartling, head of IT, explained that the county is doing a hardware and software refresh on the virtual environment that houses the county’s servers.
• Increasing funding for the Globe Courthouse parking lot pavement project through an amendment to a contract with Perkins Cinders Inc., adding $122,485.40 for a total not to exceed $821,479.81. Thomas Goodman reported that unforeseen subgrade problems required additional stabilization and geotextile fabric, adding $52,586 to the cost.
• Authorizing purchases of heavy equipment components and new equipment through Sourcewell contracts with Empire Machinery and Empire Southwest, for a 12-month period and an amount not to exceed $800,000. Troy White explained that the contracts ensure continued upgrades and maintenance of aging Caterpillar equipment, some of which is over 27 years old.
• Increasing compensation for solid waste landfill services through an amendment to a contract with Stephen B. Smith, raising the total not-to-exceed amount to $232,601.10. Troy White explained that additional geotechnical work, including borings and soil sampling, is required before ADQ can approve the Buckhead Mesa Landfill expansion. He said the extension adds about $50,000 to Smith’s contract. He noted that the board will hear an update about Buckhead Mesa in November.
• Installing “yield” signage at S. Forest Street and E. Punkin Center Road in Tonto Basin. Assistant County Engineer Alex Kendrick explained that state statute requires him to appear before the board to get approval for the sign.
• Canceling an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation upon mutual consent, in connection with the Gold Hills sidewalk improvement project. Alex Kendrick clarified that ADOT required a formal cancellation letter after escalating costs made the project infeasible. The County plans to reapply for funding next year.
• Extending a contract with Kimley-Horn & Associates for Forest Service Highway 512 environmental documents and clearances to February 7, 2026. Alex Kendrick said the extension ensures completion of the environmental assessment and keeps the County aligned with its ADOT smart grant.
• Increasing funding for Houston Mesa Road safety improvements through an amendment with Kimley-Horn & Associates, adding $19,934 for a total not to exceed $62,744. Alex Kendrick said ADOT, which is administering the project, approved the cost increase to cover a timing issue related to cultural resource monitoring.
• Authorizing the advertisement of a Request for Proposals for scrap metal recycling services at both County landfills. Troy White explained that the purpose is to clear accumulated metal at the landfills.
• Rescinding the previous award of the Gibson Ranch Road improvement project to Action Direct LLC dba Redpoint Contracting. The board went into executive session to receive legal advice and direction. 

Public Safety & Emergency Management

• Approving the 2025 update of the Gila County Emergency Operations Plan and authorizing required signatures on the Letter of Promulgation and Letter of Approval.
  County Emergency Manager Carl Melford explained that the plan revisions bring Gila County into compliance with FEMA’s CPG 101 guidelines and include new language on extreme weather resilience, accessibility, and an expanded active-shooter annex.
• Accepting a $50,000 grant from Arizona Public Service to prepare a County vehicle with custom graphics promoting resident sign-ups for the Emergency Notification System. Carl Melford explained that the vehicle would probably be a mid-size SUV and would replace an aging unit to help with outreach, public education, and response capacity. 

Community Development & Public Services

• Supporting the Shop With A Hero Program through an economic development agreement with the Payson Gila County Sheriff’s Posse Inc. in the amount of $9,000. Representatives of the Sheriff’s Posse outlined program, which pairs about 60 children with first responders for holiday shopping each year. The children have the chance to spend time with law enforcement, sit in fire trucks, and sometimes see a Native Air helicopter. The kids then are taken to Walmart, where they and other family members shop for themselves and for gifts for others. The gifts are then wrapped at the store.
• Supporting repairs to the Pleasant Valley Community Library through an economic development agreement for $15,000. Supervisor Klein explained that the money, which comes from his district’s constituent funds, will assist with exterior upgrades and weather protection for the Pleasant Valley Community Library in Young.
• Supporting community events in Winkelman through an economic development agreement for $2,500. Supervisor Klein explained that the funds will support Winkelman’s annual Halloween and Christmas events.
• Approving a contract with the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens, providing $191,421 in funding through June 30, 2026. Joshua Beck, Community Services Director, explained that Gila County received the funds from the Area Agency on Aging to provide home repairs and supportive services for seniors. He noted the flexible funding will aid flood recovery and emergencies. The funding rotates between Gila County, Apache Junction, and Pinal County.
• Expanding weatherization services for eligible households through an amendment to an agreement with the Arizona Department of Housing providing $190,994 in additional funding and extending the contract to June 30, 2029. Joshua Beck explained that the funds will help weatherize 17 homes under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The county will be working with Advantage Home Builders, which is based in Chandler, until local providers can qualify.
• Providing diapers and supplies to eligible families through a memorandum of understanding with Wildfire. Joshua Beck said the County will receive up to $25,000 in administrative funds from Wildfire (Arizona Community Action Association) to sustain the county’s diaper supply program, which provides diapers to about 50 families. He explained the funding offsets staffing costs at the front desk.
• Increasing funding for a CDBG home repair project through an amendment to a contract with BMS CAT of Arizona, LLC, adding $11,221.47 for a total not to exceed $75,737.21. Joshua Beck said additional lead paint and structural issues increased costs for the project.

Administration & Governance

• Reappointing Bryan Goslin to the Gila County Board of Adjustment for a new term from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.
• Renewing the County’s federal relations services contract with Bose Public Affairs Group, LLC through June 30, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $91,000. County Manager James Menlove explained that the group lobbies on behalf of the county in Washington, D.C. The consultants are paid $7,000 per month plus certain expenses, such as travel.The county has been working with the group since 2009.
• Extending interim public works consulting services through Interim Public Management, LLC for Troy White through October 17, 2025, for a total not to exceed $160,000. James Menlove explained that Troy White will continue as the county’s interim public works director through October 17, until incoming director Christine Smith begins full-time. The contract amount covers the entire engagement period.
• Authorizing assistance with annual financial statement preparation through a contract with Heinfeld Meech & Co., P.C. for up to $50,000 through June 30, 2026, and ratifying the Chief Financial Officer’s signature on the engagement letter. Chief Financial Officer Maryn Belling explained that the county brings in the company every year to prepare the county’s financial statements, and said outsourcing the task ensures compliance and accuracy, and is less costly than hiring additional staff.
• Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Cost Allocation Plan and Indirect Cost Rate Proposal prepared by MGT. Maryn Belling explained that departments receiving federal funds are required to adopt the cost allocation plan and indirect cost rate proposal each year.

Judicial & Legal Services

• Approving professional services contracts for court-appointed legal representation for fiscal year 2026. HR Director Rick Husk, who also serves as the county’s interim public defender coordinator, presented renewals for multiple private attorney contracts covering felony, juvenile, dependency, and mental health representation, including the following:
• Juvenile dependency: Diana G. Montgomery PLLC – up to $55,000
• Appeals and post-conviction relief: The Susser Law Firm PLLC – up to $70,000
• Felony criminal, juvenile delinquency, and mental health: Law Office of Sean Kautenburger PC – up to $96,000
• Felony criminal, mental health, and juvenile delinquency: DeBrigida Law Offices PLLC – up to $132,000
• Felony criminal, mental health, and juvenile delinquency and dependency: Law Office of Adriana M. Orman PLLC – up to $126,000

Husk and County Manager Menlove explained that the contracts are necessary under state law and funded by the County’s general fund.

To view this meeting online, visit Gila County BOS Meeting.

To view documents related to this meeting, click here.