Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2026
Mr. Charles Behney called the Naco Sanitary District meeting to order on June 5, 2026, at 5:13 PM. The entire board was in attendance. NSD attorney Denis Fitzgibbons was present by video. Next, the board reviewed the minutes from the May 1, 2026, meeting. A typo was identified by Mr. Denis Fitzgibbons; the board subsequently approved the minutes with this single correction.
Under old business, finances and the current status of loans and grants were discussed. According to Mr. Behney, the district is in its strongest financial position to date, with no problems regarding future funding. Sufficient funds are available for necessary monitor well replacements and prospective WIFA loans. Mr. Stephen Dey confirmed that the payroll account is sufficient for the first three months of the coming fiscal year. Remaining funds from the main county account will be transferred to reserves by mid-June, with projected reserves of $30,000 to $40,000 plus a $30,000 carryover.
The board reviewed the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, which had completed its 30-day public comment period. Despite needing the balances in the reserve accounts due to pending end-of-year calculations, Mr. Behney moved to approve the budget as written, which was seconded by Mr. Dey. The motion passed unanimously.
Progress on USDA, NAD Bank, and WIFA grants has been steady but limited. Communication continues with the USDA regarding two pending grants, while the North American Development Bank (NADB) awaits a Preliminary Engineering Review. Regarding monitor well procurement, bids are being submitted by BJ Drilling and Tanner Well Services. The board was notified that engineering firm Kimley-Horn will manage the approval and revision process for these well estimates.
The NSD is currently under accelerated monitoring due to nitrate and coliform levels exceeding limits. Mr. Dey attributed recent contamination to backflow into the test faucet caused by the removal of a one-way valve. Consequently, Tanner Well Services will install a one-way isolation valve. Ongoing concerns include a flow meter that has been inoperable for six months. Ripple is scheduled to troubleshoot software and data reporting issues next week. Additionally, Mr. Behney identified a critical need for lightning suppression hardware for the SCADA system to prevent future damage.
The board reviewed the revised bylaws. Denis Fitzgibbons confirmed the documents were acceptable as written. Mr. Behney made a motion to approve the draft Bylaws as written, seconded by Mr. Dey. The board unanimously passed the motion to approve the revised bylaws, and it was noted that no public comments were received during the 30 day comment period.
Charles Behney reported that Bisbee mayoral candidate Charles Flanigan and Cochise County Supervisor Kathleen Gomez support the district’s mitigation plan. Candidate Flanigan will establish a work group to foster regional cooperation between Naco, Bisbee, and Douglas.
A motion to adjourn was requested by Charles Behney and seconded by Steven Day. The motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned.
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Charles Behney, Naco Sanitary District Chair