1 November 2011

Community and Organization Profile

Navajo County represents an area that is diverse in both geography and population. Located in northeastern Arizona, Navajo County spans 9,959 square miles. With most of the northern portion of the county is considered high desert, boasting an elevation exceeding 5,000 feet.. This area features Petrified Forest National Park, Monument Valley, and the Painted Desert. These landmarks of the high desert are one of the most photographed and visually stunning areas in the southwestern United States.  Equally beautiful, but in stark contrast, the southern portion of Navajo County is home to the White Mountains of Arizona.  Portions of the largest Ponderosa pine forests in the world cover the White Mountains, which reaches elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet.

The population of Navajo County grew 10.2% between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, bringing the total Navajo County population to 107,449. Navajo County is home to three Native American tribes including the Hopi, Navajo, and White Mountain Apache. These groups combined represent approximately 43% of Navajo County’s population.

Southwestern beauty and outdoor recreational activities abound in Navajo County. The community prides itself on its rural character and high quality of living. Visitors from around the world come to Navajo County to learn and experience the unique Native American traditions and ceremonies, and the region’s variety of activities and attractions has appeal to people of all interests and backgrounds regardless of the season. 

With a staff of 600+ full-time employees, Navajo County’s dedicated team, along with other community partners, provides exemplary services to our community in a fiscally responsible manner. Our motto is: Proudly Serving, Continuously Improving Since 1895.

Innovations

Arizona’s first modern commercial wind farm, Dry Lake Wind Power Project, was dedicated on October 12, 2009, in Navajo County. The first phase of the project includes thirty (30) wind turbines, with a combined maximum capacity of 63 megawatts, produce renewable energy for the Salt River Project (SRP) every. According to estimates from SRP, this capacity represents enough power to serve approximately 15,000 average Arizona homes. A second phase of the project was completed approximately a year later, adding another thirty-one (31) turbines and 65 megawatts of capacity. Plans to expand the project are under way, including the addition of a solar farm on the same footprint that currently holds the wind turbines.

Navajo County has also been a leader in other natural resource issues.  The Four Forest Restoration Initiative or 4FRI is a collaborative effort to restore forest ecosystems on portions of four National Forests - Coconino, Kaibab, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Tonto.  These Ponderosa pine forests stretch almost continuously from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, across the Mogollon Rim and down to the White Mountains in eastern Arizona.

Unfortunately, portions of these forests have been degraded by unsustainable historical land uses and fire exclusion. The result has been overgrown forests with thin, unhealthy trees and the threat of unnaturally severe wildfire.

Navajo County has been a leading member in a broad collaborative of scientific, educational, political and industrial partners who share the vision that the 4FRI can restore forest ecosystems that support natural fire regimes, functioning populations of native plants and animals.  It is Navajo County’s goal to maintain the thriving forests, and reintroduce sustainable forest industries that strengthen local economies while conserving natural resources and aesthetic values.

Another project undertaken by Navajo County in 2009 was the construction of a new health services building and meeting room in Show Low, Arizona. This project enhanced the availability of services and meeting space to residents in the southern portion of Navajo County. Additionally, Navajo County acquired and renovated facilities formerly owned by the City of Show Low and by National Bank of AZ and located satellite offices for the County Attorney, County Sheriff, County Superintendent of Schools, Public Works (Planning & Zoning and Engineering Divisions), Adult and Juvenile Probation and Assessor – known as the South County Complex. By leveraging an Energy and Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, Navajo County was able to improve the existing structure and provide increased value to citizens. Some of the improvements included mechanical systems with improved efficiency, durable long life finishes, and a 20 kilowatt solar electrical system.

To improve mobility of residents, Navajo County has partnered with the City of Show Low, the other cities and towns and community college district to provide bus services in the county. By pooling resources with other local stakeholders, the White Mountain Connection Bus Service has been extremely successful. The service runs three times daily between Pinetop-Lakeside in southern Navajo County and the county seat Holbrook approximately 60 miles to the north. With several stops in cities and towns along this route, the reasonable rates, and convenience of the service has become a useful tool for many residents of Navajo County.

Challenges

Navajo County is not unique in the challenges it has faced. Economic conditions and the associated downturn in revenues have tested the elected officials and staff of Navajo County, as they have many other federal, state and local government organizations. Navajo County has restructured several departments to improve efficiency and create savings. Managing vacancies as they arise has been another focus for Navajo County. As positions become open they are reviewed, and only refilled if indispensible to the county’s operations. Finally, Navajo County has made significant reductions in capital purchases as a means of reducing expenditures and lowering the overall bottom-line.

Additional Facts

Navajo County is home to the Hashknife Pony Express, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express route in the world. Every January, Pony Express riders are deputized prior to their 3 day trip of over 200 miles from Holbrook, Arizona to Scottsdale, Arizona. The arrival of the express riders marks the beginning of the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol celebration in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Website

Visit www.navajocountyaz.gov for more information.