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Understanding Labor Market Trends in Yavapai County

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It’s important to note that labor trends can change over time and the specific conditions in Yavapai County may evolve with industry needs.

Yavapai County has its own unique labor trends and characteristics. General information about labor trends in Yavapai County are based on historical information from September 2021 to the present.

Yavapai County has a diverse economy, with multiple sectors driving employment. Some of the significant industries in the region include health care, tourism, education, government, retail, construction and manufacturing.

The healthcare sector is a major employer in Yavapai County. The county has numerous healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and specialty care centers. Jobs in health care range from medical professionals to support staff and administration. The current average hourly rate of pay is $41.35 in the healthcare sector.

Yavapai County is known for its natural beauty, scenic landscapes and historical attractions. Popular tourist destinations in the county include Prescott, Sedona, Jerome and the Verde Valley. The tourism industry provides employment opportunities in hospitality, lodging, restaurants, outdoor recreation and retail. The current average hourly rate of pay is $17.31 in the tourism sector.

Yavapai County has several educational institutions, including colleges, community colleges, universities and school districts. These institutions offer employment opportunities for educators, administrators, support staff and other related roles. The current average hourly rate of pay is $25.05 in the education sector.

Government jobs, both at the county and local level, contribute significantly to the labor market in Yavapai County. These jobs include positions in administration, law enforcement, public safety, public works and social services. The current average hourly rate of pay is $21.88 in the government sector.

The construction industry plays a crucial role in Yavapai County’s economy, driven by residential and commercial development projects. Infrastructure development, such as road construction and improvement, also provides employment opportunities. The current average hourly rate of pay is $23.11 in the construction sector.

Yavapai County has a small but growing manufacturing sector. Manufacturing jobs can be found in industries such as aerospace, electronics, food processing and more. These jobs often require specialized skills and training. The current average hourly rate of pay is $20.62 in the manufacturing sector.

It’s important to note that labor trends can change over time and the specific conditions in Yavapai County may evolve with industry needs. It is always advisable to consult local employment agencies, economic development organizations and government sources that specialize in labor market data for the region. With Yavapai County’s unemployment rate at 2.9%, there are still many employment opportunities in each of the listed sectors. Visit Yavapai County | ARIZONA@WORK (arizonaatwork.com) to learn more about labor market trends, employment and training opportunities. QCBN

By Teri Drew

Teri Drew is the executive director of the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

Planning for Transportation Needs into the Future

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State (ADOT), and the feds use gas taxes as a principal funding source for transportation needs.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” This month, Tom and I thought we would take a “road trip” as we veer away from our normal column. Settle in. This is going to be wonderful!

Sandy: Hi Tom! Happy April! For our detour topic this month, I have invited Mr. Vincent, or, as we all know him to be, Vinny Gallegos, to talk with us this month. Vinny is the executive director of the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization, (CYMPO).

Tom: Excellent, welcome Vinny!

Vinny: Greetings to both of you. Thanks for inviting me.

Sandy: There is a lot to talk about, so diving right in, Vinny, when did CYMPO get started and who is a part of it?

Vinny: Formally, 2003. Based on the 2000 Census, the Feds declared this area a metropolitan area. As such, all the political entities in the area, including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and this part of Yavapai County, came together to form CYMPO as a mechanism to plan for the growing transportation needs of our area.

Tom: How big of an area are you talking about?

Vinny: The planning area covers approximately 400 square miles, and currently includes Dewey-Humboldt, which was not a separate political entity back then.

Sandy: All the cities, towns and county are represented on the CYMPO boards and committees. That is very important for our readers to know. I bet that has to be kind of like herding cats!

Vinny: LOL, actually since the beginning, all the entities have come together quite well. The purpose is to plan for regional, multimodal transportation. Our system of highways, trails and bike paths touches every community. And it is with that understanding, all the representatives lean toward cooperation to plan for and collectively seek funding from state and federal resources.

Tom: Back in 2000, I recall this organization getting started. I have watched CYMPO become a very successful and effective organization responsible for many of our major road improvements over the past 20 plus years. What are some of the projects and challenges on your plate currently?

Vinny: The main challenge we always face is getting the resources we need to implement the organization’s plans. Revenue sources have not changed much in the last 30 or so years. State (ADOT), and the feds use gas taxes as a principal funding source for transportation needs. As for projects, currently, there are three primary areas we are focusing on. First, creating an active transportation plan for bike and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes bike lanes, sidewalks and trails.

Sandy: That sounds super fantastic. Biking and walking are a huge part of the communities in our area. I love hearing that CYMPO is on board.

Vinny: It is all part of the integrated transportation system in our area.

Vinny:  Another project is the State Route 69 Master Corridor Plan. This addresses both safety and capacity issues along this corridor from Prescott through Dewey-Humboldt. The third major focus is the Sundog Design Concept report and Environmental Overview.

Sandy: This isn’t the first time that a potential route has been discussed. I have been hearing about it for many years.

Tom: It actually started way back in the early ‘90s with the Prescott Strategic plan where we said we did not want L.A.-style superhighways in our area. While on the Prescott City Council at that time, we approved a preliminary plat for Yavapai Hills unit 9 that included a piece of the Sundog Connector in the plat. That was for 1,814 units, a mix of multifamily and single-family living.

Vinny: All your fault, Tom.

Sandy: LOL. I have got something else to blame him for now!

Tom: Yeah yeah, well, it did happen then, but it of course wasn’t all me. The city included a commitment to a portion of the connector as part of the development agreement if I remember correctly.

Vinny: I understand that as well. The General Plan update in 1997-98 precipitated by the Growing Smarter legislation, set the stage for Prescott to develop the Prescott East Area plan. That referenced the need for what was then called the 69 to 89 connector. That is now Prescott Lakes Parkway. It also referenced the Sundog connector.

Tom: That plan was developed including participation by council representatives, Planning and Zoning, and a healthy component of citizens mostly from Yavapai Hills and the Ranch. It was quite inclusive. If I remember correctly, that plan reiterated the desire to have smaller roads rather than making 69 a superhighway.

Sandy: Prescott Valley actually constructed the east end of the route in 2000.

Vinny: In 2007, the City of Prescott approved the preliminary plat for the Storm Ranch subdivision. That was for 227 single family lots. That plat also includes a segment of the Sundog connector.

Sandy: The City of Prescott built the roundabout on Prescott Lakes Parkway as the west end of the connector in 2010.

Tom: Didn’t Prescott do its own Sundog Corridor Study?

Vinny: Yes, that was done in 2013.

Sandy: Having all these plans in place is great. Vinny, tell us a little about how these plans get implemented and the time it takes to realize them.

Vinny: Our job is to take the direction given to us by elected officials over the years. We use that direction to generate the plans for our transportation systems. Many plans, like the ones mentioned, can take decades to see their implementation.

Sandy: Can you give us an example?

Vinny: Sure. There has been a plan to add a single lane in both directions on Highway 69 from Lowes to the mall, about a mile of road. Planning, engineering and funding for that project has taken 10 years.

Tom: There is no instant gratification in the planning business, is there?

Sandy: I suppose not. Sheesh!

Tom: The Sundog connector has just recently been the target of a few area residents who don’t want this road. I for one, think it somewhat weird that our leaders are often targeted with admonitions of uncontrolled growth. That insinuates a lack of planning. Here we have an example of a plan that has been vetted through the last 25 years and even that gets attacked.

Sandy: In making these plans, our elected officials take so many different issues into account. With another 2,000-plus households coming on line in the future, public safety plays a large part. Response times are critical and our road designs play a large part in how quickly our first responders get to your house or business.

Vinny: Leadership sets plans in motion, plans for the future. CYMPO was given the charge by elected officials to take the steps necessary to implement them. That is what the Sundog Design Concept Report is all about.

Sandy: Vinny, I applaud CYMPO in educating the community and citizens. You have a terrific website,

https://www.cympo.org/sundog-connector/ which has so much information on the Sundog Connector – so readers, take a look at the website, this is a great way to stay informed.

Tom:    I recall Town of Prescott Valley Mayor Palguta talking about the importance of the Sundog Connector as the connector will drastically reduce police and fire response times to the residents on the back side of Yavapai Hills.

Vinny:  Another positive to the many positives for the connector is with the anticipated purchase of Glassford Hill by Prescott Valley, Prescott and Yavapai County. This would prevent any future residential development by any developers along the Sundog route.

Sandy: And let’s not forget the Sundog Connector has been voted on by both Prescott and Prescott Valley’s General Plan for more than 20 years.

In closing – we three give a thumbs-up to the Sundog Connector.

Thanks for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.”  You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. QCBN

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040.

Vinny Gallegos, CYMPO, 928-442-5730.

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

New Year, New Career, New Focus

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So, as 2023 begins with its unique economic challenges, focus your attention on the opportunities that are available locally to achieve your goals.

As we begin 2023, it is a good time to reflect on the past year as a benchmark to set our sights for planning innovative economic strategies.

Yavapai County began 2022 with a labor force of 106,288 (ages 16+). Active employment was 103,202 – a difference of 3,086 (unemployment). The official January 2022 Unemployment Rate was 2.9%.

Fast-forward to the latest data available as of this writing – the October 2022 labor force increased to 108,343 (+2,055), but the actual employment only increased by 1,530 (104,732), creating an increase in the unemployment rate to 3.3% (3,611). The November 2022 Yavapai County unemployment rate was recorded as 2.9%, which is an increase year-over-year of 0.3%.

How do we address these challenges in 2023? Our economy is changing rapidly and businesses are showing signs of economic stress related to inflation. The effects of inflation cause home sales to fall, with related occupations declining. Auto sales overall continue to decline, which affects related occupations in those industries as well. Remote workers are returning to security-based jobs with set pay and benefits.  Families are merging – parents and grandparents are providing support for struggling children and grandchildren, and the cost of education is out of reach for many.

Rapid Response funding for dislocated worker re-training through the state and the Yavapai County Local Workforce Development Area is available to employers for layoff aversion strategies and career placement services for individuals suddenly finding themselves unemployed through no fault of their own. The Yavapai County Workforce Development Board is currently working with local businesses and dislocated workers who are negatively affected by the impacts of inflation, to include banking, real estate, title companies, auto sales, service and related occupations.

As workforce leaders, our job is to invest federal dollars that result in positive impacts to local economies, offering paid classroom training, incumbent worker upskilling and re-skilling, paid on-the-job training and work experience opportunities. We continue to bring CEOs to the table and align federal investments to targeted industries to develop innovative strategies. Currently, occupations in high demand in Yavapai County include heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (currently 26,794 employed), Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (currently 6,839 employed) and aircraft mechanics/service technicians (currently 5,272 employed).

So, as 2023 begins with its unique economic challenges, focus your attention on the opportunities that are available locally to achieve your goals. QCBN

By Teri Drew

Teri Drew is the Executive Director of the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

Our Public Schools Do Not Need to be the Poorest of the Poor

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Arizona has had and continues to have the resources to adequately fund public schools at levels comparable to districts throughout our state and nation.

The “poorest of the poor” sadly describes the inadequate funding of many, if not all, of Yavapai County’s public school districts. Unfortunately, this is the reality for Prescott, Humboldt and Chino Valley Unified districts, Mingus Union High School district and Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary district. Alarmingly, this does not have to be the case.

When I state that Chino Valley Unified School District and other schools in Yavapai County are the “poorest of the poor,” I reference two sources, one a state report from the Arizona’s Auditor General Office (School Districts | Arizona Auditor General (azauditor.gov), the other a national report from the Education Law Center (ELC) located in New Jersey (“Making the Grade 2021”| Education Law Center (edlawcenter.org). Both report on the most important budgetary measurement of a school district’s ability to provide educational services: per-pupil funding.

While extracting per-pupil funding data from the state’s auditor general, I discovered that Chino Valley School district is in the state’s lowest 5% and the other Yavapai districts previously mentioned are in the state’s lowest 12%. The Education Law Center’s national report ranks Arizona 51st in per-pupil funding. As a Chino Valley School Board member, I represent the poorest (lowest 5% of Arizona’s districts) of the poor (Arizona’s 51st national ranking in per-pupil funding). And, as a school board member, I am obligated to report this to my Chino Valley constituents and the wider Yavapai community.

Digging further into the national and state data, there is no solid economic reason that we are among the poorest of the poor, nor that we must remain so. The ELC reports that Arizona’s “effort” to adequately fund education is last in the country. Arizona devotes 2.29% of its GDP to education, which is the lowest of all states in the union. The national average is 3.27% of GDP. If Arizona was to achieve just the average national level of effort, it would equate into an additional $4,725 per pupil. Arizona has the capacity to fund education better without having to raise taxes. Instead, our state has been disinvesting in traditional public education for the past three-plus decades. This is unnecessary.

The 2022 legislature did something very different in this year’s education budget by adding more than $800 million to public schools across the state, as reported in the Arizona School Boards Association Summary of FY23 Budget, July 5, 2022. This needs to be applauded, as it is a significant increase. But do not think this is reversing a trend. History shows that it will be a long time before public schools witness this kind of gain again soon.

Arizona has had and continues to have the resources to adequately fund public schools at levels comparable to districts throughout our state and nation. We need to approach national averages to provide adequate educational opportunities for all our children. The investment in public education is critical to provide the very best opportunities for our families’ children to succeed at the highest levels and continue to grow our economy.

Inadequate funding means our administrators have trouble recruiting and retaining the best teachers and classified employees. Our school personnel are asked to live with uncompetitive salaries, hourly wages and benefits. Too many gifted teachers and classified personnel leave for this reason. Highly qualified prospective teachers, furthermore, either do not bother to apply or refuse our offers of employment because they are not competitive. Inadequately funded schools also mean our classroom sizes have exceeded reasonable limits to the point where too many of our students are underserved, especially in the primary grades. These two disadvantages alone, and there are many more, make it impossible to deliver the quality of learning needed for all our children to reach their highest potential.

The “poorest of the poor” means that too many students in Yavapai County have been unnecessarily doing without appropriate learning environments and educational services for far too long. Disinvesting in public education has been a political choice. The families of students attending Chino Valley, Prescott, Prescott Valley and other Yavapai County schools expect and deserve much better. QCBN

By Mike Fogel

Mike Fogel is a Chino Valley Unified District Governing Board member.

Sinema Highlights Historic Infrastructure Investments for Yavapai County

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Senator discusses implementation of wildfire and transportation funding with city, town, and county leaders.

Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema hosted a roundtable with local leaders from across Yavapai County to discuss the region’s infrastructure funding priorities – including wildfire mitigation, water security, and transportation expansion – as she works to implement historic investments from her bipartisan infrastructure law.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with leaders across Yavapai County to ensure our bipartisan infrastructure law’s investments in wildfire mitigation and recovery, bridge and road repairs, airport improvements, and more go directly into the projects that need them,” said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law.

The roundtable follows the onset of fire season in Arizona, with the Crooks Fire burning nearly 10,000 acres south of Prescott. As Arizona experiences the most severe drought in 1,200 years, Yavapai County leaders emphasized the importance of wildfire prevention, mitigation, and cleanup for the region.

Sinema shared with local leaders how her historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law authorizes a once-in-a-generation $8.25 billion for wildfire management, resiliency, restoration, and natural resources-related infrastructure. Sinema’s historic bill secured for the Prescott National Forest a total of $28.7 million for forest treatment from 2022 to 2024 — with $11.1 million coming in 2022 alone. Additionally, earlier this year, Sinema announced a $61 million investment for wildfire prevention in Arizona for 2022, directly investing in Arizona for the implementation of 4FRI as well as critical recovery and mitigation projects. During the discussion, Sinema underscored how Arizonans rely on National Weather Service predictions and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data to predict fire trajectory and determine impacts to landscapes and their families’ safety. Sinema’s bipartisan law includes $80 million for NOAA high-performance computing and $50 million for wildfire prediction, detection, and forecasting.

Yavapai County leaders detailed additional funding priorities for the region, including transportation expansion and securing Arizona’s water future – both areas in which Sinema’s infrastructure law makes significant investments.

Specifically, Sinema secured $8.3 billion for Western Water, including $3.2 billion for the Aging Infrastructure Account and $250 million to fully fund the Drought Contingency Plan operations at Lake Mead for 5 years. In 2022 alone, Arizona will receive $109 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to address clean and drinking water systems, update wastewater infrastructure, and help clean-up water contaminants like PFAS in communities across the state. In Yavapai County, Camp Verde School District and a local assisted living facility received $3 million from the Army Corps of Engineers to connect both facilities to the Yavapai-Apache Wastewater Treatment Plant to ensure more reliable service.

On formula funding alone, Arizona expects to receive about $903 million over five years to improve public transportation options across the state, representing a roughly 32% increase over 2021 FAST Act formula transit funding levels. Sinema’s law reauthorizes Federal Transit Administration programs for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. Like the highway programs, many of the transit programs are also based on formulas and flow directly to the transit agencies, just as they have in the past. Sinema pledged to work hand-in-hand with leaders on the ground to identify grants and programs for which they qualify, ensuring Arizona communities receive every dollar they’re due.

In another big win for Yavapai County, Prescott Regional Airport-Ernest A. Love Field is slated to receive $5,104,440 over the next five years from the infrastructure law in repairs and upgrades improving airport safety, convenience, and efficiency for Arizonans who fly. Of the $15 billion for airport improvement projects, Arizona will receive more than $360 million for airport infrastructure over the next five years.

Roundtable participants included Chairwoman Mary Mallory (Yavapai County Board of Supervisors), Mayor Phil Goode (Prescott), Mayor Jack Dillenberg (Jerome), Mayor Robyn Prudehomme-Bauer (Clarkdale), Mayor Jack Miller (Chino Valley), Councilmember Tosca Henry (Cottonwood), Vincent Gallegos (Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization), and Gilbert Davidson (Prescott Valley).

Jail Project Moving Closer to Completion

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McAtee said the county anticipates the PCJC will be operative near the end of fall 2022.

Construction work on the new Prescott Criminal Justice Center (PCJC) located on Prescott Lakes Parkway is nearly 45% complete. Meanwhile, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors has  approved a $1,368,731 expenditure to staff the facility.

David McAtee, Yavapai County public information officer for the Board of Supervisors, told Quad Cities Business News that the PCJC is on target and on budget, and should be completed on schedule, barring any major supply chain issues or unexpected complications.

Described as the most costly county project the county has ever launched, the $63.1 million PCJC will include a complex of interconnecting buildings, some multi-story, that includes two courtrooms, a 152-bed jail and a Connections Center, which will serve as a site for providing resources for inmates who will be released to re-enter the community.

“We’re rather proud of this plan,” McAtee said. “It’s a new concept and is being viewed within the state as the Yavapai County System for handling county judicial matters.

McAtee said the county anticipates the PCJC will be operative near the end of fall 2022.

McAtee was echoed by Nicholas Schnabel, the project superintendent for the contractor Hensel-Phelps. Schnabel, who had experience as project coordinator for construction of the Maricopa County Jail located on Durango Street in Phoenix, said the facilities in Prescott are unique. He noted that because it has all the multiple services in one place, PCJC is distinctly different and being observed carefully.

Current plans are that the PCJC will be the jail for inmates with short-term stays, 14 days or so. Longer-term inmates will be at the Camp Verde jail, which has 664 beds. Inmates with terms of more than a year likely will be sent to a prison in the state.

Recently named YC BOS chairwoman Mary Mallory has said she is proud the project is moving forward.

New Employees Needed

The 24% increase in prisoner capacity because of the addition of the PCJC means the operational budget will increase from $21 million to $26.7 million. Those dollars will cover the costs of 34 new jail employees from January to June 2022. The new positions are in addition to the 15 detention officers that the BOS approved at its meeting in July 2021.

Among the new jobs are: jail commander, detention lieutenant, business manager, seven detention sergeants, six detention officers, 15 detention support specialists, a project coordinator and two background investigators.

More positions will be added later in 2022. The National Institute of Corrections Staffing model recommends that a corrections center of this size needs at least 107 positions to operate. Many of those positions will be transfers from other county sites.

Job applicants are being sought in an extensive recruiting campaign that includes job fairs, the internet and billboards.

In order to keep the public updated about progress on the project, the county has created a website, which includes videos of key county personnel telling of the long-term need for a new facility and how extensive planning has occurred. Sheriff Scott Mascher describes how initial planning for a new jail began at least 10 years ago. Mascher praises the idea of having courtrooms and jails and the Connection Center in Prescott, saying it will save the county thousands of dollars in transportation costs.

“I really think it’s important that people understand the history of this project,” said immediate past BOS chairman Craig Brown. “There’s a long history to it, there was long-term planning and it’s coming about now when it is needed.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

For more information, visit yavapaijustice.com.

Yavapai County Growing

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Challenges include water, broadband expansion and COVID-19 relief.

Yavapai County Supervisor for District 1 Harry Oberg says the population is growing. The latest data show a county population of 236,209 in 2020. In 2011, it was 212,033. Yavapai County, which in pre-statehood days was the “Mother County of Arizona,” had a population growth of 11.93 percent during the past 10 years, according to the most recent U.S. Census Data released. Final census data will be released Sept. 30.

The county has five districts, totaling 8,125 square miles. “Yavapai County is bigger in area than the combined states of Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island and New Jersey,” said Oberg. “It’s about the size of the state of Massachusetts – and is bigger than the country of Israel.”

The fastest growing district is Chino Valley, at more than 19%; the slowest growing is the Sedona area, with a growth rate of 4%. Here are the percentages for the five counties:

District 4, commonly thought of as Chino Valley and then west and north to Ash Fork and Seligman has experienced a growth rate of 19.34%, from 41,484 to 49,506 people in 10 years.

District 5, Prescott Valley and adjacent areas reports a growth rate of 16.42%, from 42,385 to 49,343 people.

District 2, Camp Verde and communities on the eastern edge of Yavapai County shows a growth rate of 12.06%, from a population of 41,441 to 46,438.

District 1, Prescott and communities west and south to the county line show a growth rate of 8.19%, from 42,134 to 45,586 people.

District 3, Sedona and nearby communities has a growth rate of 4.01%, with a population growth from 43,589 to 45,336.

Oberg doubts the population change will make a significant difference in future district boundaries. “We all need to acknowledge that population growth in Yavapai County was by leaps and bounds,” he said. “We don’t expect it to slow in the future.”

Oberg is careful to note that he and his fellow supervisors – James Gregory, District 2; Donna Michaels, District 3, Board Chair Craig Brown, District 4; and Mary Mallory, District 5 – have the primary responsibility of financing and administering county government projects. That includes final approval over all county budgets and county tax rates.

A major concern among supervisors is the growing issue of water shortages in Arizona. On Aug. 18, Oberg and other supervisors voted to spend $10 million of the nearly $46 million the county is to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to improve water and sewer infrastructure within unincorporated areas of the county.

Oberg is adamant that residents need to conform to existing water regulations. “We must work with all the water interest groups, not just select ones. We need to act collectively, come up with functional plans and programs that will ensure continued water in the future.”

The funds available for water and sewer infrastructure require detailed applications and written proposals. Information is available at YavapaiAZ.gov under the board links section – ARPA Grant Application. The supervisors will approve the allocation of grant funds beginning Nov. 3.

Early September meetings found supervisors continuing their discussion of broadband program expansion throughout the county. Funds for that program, also to come from the ARPA monies, are to be directed at improving broadband for high-speed internet service in unserved and underserved communities countywide.

Several organizations within the county have endorsed broadband expansion, including the Chambers of Commerce, Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG), and the Yavapai County Education Service Agency.

An estimated $20 million is cited as the figure for that project, Oberg said.

Consideration also is being given to using ARPA funds – as much as $5.7 million – to respond to challenges caused by the pandemic. Some of those dollars might go for additional employees needed to support COVID-19 relief programs.

Supervisors adopted the 2021-2022 budget in early August. Details are available at https://yavapaiaz.gov.

Information provide by Jack Fields, assistant county administrator, showed the general fund budget was $124,809. That is about a 5% increase above last year’s general fund budget. Fields also said among the biggest budget item increases for the coming year is for the criminal justice system, which includes the sheriff’s department, public defenders, probation, jail, juvenile justice and related county offices and agencies.

Oberg encourages citizens to remain interested and involved in county actions. “I hope people will continue to respond to our survey requests and take part in helping us develop comprehensive plans. We need to review and prioritize what is important and we need citizen input to do that effectively,” he said.

Oberg is a longtime resident of Prescott and attended Prescott schools. A career officer and pilot in the U.S. Army, he was honorably discharged in April 2000 as a colonel. He received a degree from Northern Arizona University and has other degrees from Salve Regina University and the U.S. Army War College. He and his wife, Jeanna, retired in Prescott in 2007. He was elected in 2015 as Prescott mayor. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Oberg can be reached in his office at the County Administration Building at 1015 Fair Street in Prescott, by telephone at 928-771-3206 and online at web.bos.district1@yavapaiaz.gov.

Businesses, Individuals Honored for Workforce Efforts

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She also said while populations have shown a steady decline, the demand for workers is at an all-time high.

Two businesses and four individuals from Yavapai County have been recognized for exceptional efforts in workforce and economic development by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.

The county collaborates with ARIZONA@WORK, a statewide workforce development network, as well as the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG), which helps identify and create job opportunities.

During an awards luncheon Thursday, Aug. 12, Mary Mallory, speaking on behalf of the supervisors, praised the efforts of the organizations. “Yavapai County is fortunate in having the opportunity to advance workforce development for our businesses and residents because of this relationship between the Workforce Development Board, employers and job-seekers. The Board of Supervisors is honored to participate in awarding businesses and individuals who demonstrate leadership and determination in building a strong labor force in the county.”

Mallory presented two Leadership Awards and four Title 1 Achievement Awards. The leadership awards were given for “going over and beyond in building the Yavapai talent pipeline,” she said. Elan Electric, owned by Jim Johnson in Prescott Valley and Western Heritage Furniture, owned by Tim McCune in Jerome, received the leadership honors.

Individuals receiving achievement awards were:

Brandon Iurato, a member of the Cottonwood Police Department. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a formerly a U.S. Customs K-9 enforcement officer. Recently, Iurato had been selected to be the school resource officer for Mingus High School, a role he held until August.

Guy West, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He now has joined the Founding Fathers Collective in Prescott as the property’s brand manager.

Dinah Youpel, a cosmetologist in Sedona. Youpel earlier had been a waitress until she was laid off because of the COVID-19 shutdowns. Through assistance from NACOG, Youpel attended Roger’s Academy of Beauty, where she graduated in September 2020. She now rents a space in Sedona and is employed full-time.

Lexxus DeLaCruz, a single parent with a 1-year-old son. After completing the Certified Nursing Assistant Training program offered by The Meadows Nursing Facility in Prescott Valley, she accepted a full-time job with Polara, formerly West Yavapai Guidance Clinic.

Those present received the 2020-2021 Annual Report from NACOG, which documents changes that have occurred in the workforce and local economies. “We are witnessing a severe and sudden shift in society,” said Yavapai County Workforce Development Board Executive Director Teri Drew.

She also said while populations have shown a steady decline, the demand for workers is at an all-time high. “The Yavapai County Workforce Development Board is working tirelessly to be innovative to meet the demand for workers. Our partners have stepped up to make a positive difference.”

It was noted the average hourly wage in Yavapai County is $20.98. Among those cooperating in the Innovative Workforce Solutions program in Yavapai County are ARIZONA@WORK, NACOG, the Department of Economic Security-Employment Administration and Veterans Services, the Department of Economic Security-Vocational Rehabilitation and the Education Division at Yavapai College. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Business Line of Credit: How It Works, When It is Useful

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When a business is in a growth or expansion stage, it might be good timing to consider a line of credit.

Need help managing cash flow? A business line of credit may be the right option for you. A business owner can borrow, as needed, up to the limit of the approved credit line, which can range from $10,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the type of business. Business lines of credit with lower credit limits are usually unsecured. This means collateral such as real estate or inventory is not required.

How Does a Line of Credit Work?

A line of credit works much like a credit card. You can draw funds as needed and repay over time, as long as you make payments on time and don’t exceed your credit limit. Once the line of credit has been funded, the funds are made available immediately and are easily accessible.

Why Would You Use a Line of Credit?

When a business is in a growth or expansion stage, it might be good timing to consider a line of credit. Businesses can use a line of credit for short-term operating capital. It is not recommended that it be used for long-term needs such as purchasing equipment, debt repayment or to purchase property. If a business is seeking less than a $10,000 line of credit, a business credit card might be a better option. Business credit cards can be utilized for travel expenses and purchasing, which may accrue points, rewards or cash back, depending on the spend category.

How to Qualify

For lines of credit under $50,000, OneAZ Credit Union advises that the business be in operations for at least two years. For lines of credit for more than $50,000, the business should be operational for at least three years. When applying for a business line of credit, the following may be required: personal and business tax returns, bank account statements and business financial statements, such as profit-and-loss statements and balance sheets, as well as a completed business loan application. Rates and fees are determined by the risk assigned to the request, but can be discussed in more detail by contacting a Business Banker at OneAZ today. QCBN

By Suzanne Gillies

Contact a OneAZ Business Banker for more details on the application process. Visit OneAZcu.com/Business to get started.

Suzanne Gillies is the business banker for Yavapai County.