Mojave County has long fought other agencies and other Arizona communities to protect Western Arizona’s most precious natural resources. Now, however, county officials are considering the costs of investigating and challenging water issues with the state legislature.
The Mojave County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to continue discussions on an ongoing deal with HighGround Inc., a government affairs group based in Phoenix. That contract has been valid since his 2017 and will cost him $12,000 a month in conjunction with Phoenix law firm Ryley Carlock. & Apple White. The group is tasked with monitoring and opposing laws designed to keep Colorado River water away from Arizona’s river communities and upholding laws designed to manage groundwater resources in rural Arizona. I am indebted.
For six years, the company has defended the interests of Mojave County on water issues in the Arizona legislature. But this week, county governing board members debated the benefits of such representatives compared to the cost of that contract to county taxpayers.
“We believe the county needs representation and needs a voice to sit at the table and support it,” Mojave County Manager Sam Elters said. , Highground continues to oppose laws aimed at keeping Colorado River water away from river communities.
A Failed Effort, Some Believe
But according to Mojave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, the past six-year partnership with HighGround may have provided little real value to the county’s residents.
“We spent $981,916.94 on this fiasco,” says Johnson. “But I would be very surprised if he showed me one bill that was passed (for the benefit of the county). Three lawmakers failed to pass the bill and now He spends $12,000 a month.”
Johnson said at the conference that if Highground’s objective was to lobby the legislature on behalf of Mojave County, such a task would require a competitive bidding process by the county. called a failed effort.
“I think we’ve wasted our money, and more power to HighGround, which took three-quarters of a million dollars from us,” Johnson said Monday. “But I cannot support this.”
Supervisor Gene Bishop also questioned the cost of HighGround’s services, but she didn’t seem to believe the contract was ever a waste of money.
“I think HighGround has done a good job for Mojave County,” said Bishop. “But I, too, am starting to wonder if this kind of expertise is always needed. No… I’m starting to wonder, and somewhat agree with Supervisor Johnson.
Bishop, meanwhile, commended Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter for his review and knowledge of the ongoing water issues in Mojave County.
Lingenfelter: Mohave needs a voice in Phoenix
Former deputy mayor of Kingman, Lingenfelter has been investigating water issues in the county long before he was elected to the Mojave County Board of Supervisors in 2020. These include ongoing issues such as the Hualapai Gorge Groundwater sub-basin, which recently received state approval. protected as an irrigation non-expansion area; and pending a proposed transfer of over 2,000 acre-feet of water per year from GSC Farms, based in Cibola, to his community of Queen Creek in central Arizona.
“I think it’s important that there are people out there who speak for the voice of Mojave County,” said Lingenfelter. “It has benefited not only us, but members of Congress and senators.”
Having such a voice in the state capitol — having a body that can readily provide information on ongoing water issues — could be invaluable during this legislative session, Lingenfelter said. I have.
“The Arizona House and Senate have over 50% freshmen,” Lingenfelter said. “They don’t fully understand the challenges of the Colorado River or the groundwater challenges of rural Arizona. And some people don’t quite understand why that distinction is necessary.
But even Lingenfelter seemed unconvinced that Mojave County would continue to incur costs for such representation by High Ground.
“I don’t know if[HighGround’s]service is worth $10,000 a month,” said Lingenfelter. “Maybe the proposal request process, or at least the ‘best and final offer’ process where he says $10,000 is the best offer he can make without bringing a lawyer to the table. But it’s not required, but it’s a good idea to put down a presence to represent us. ”
Mojave County supervisor and former Arizona senator Ron Gould said Monday that despite the cost of such representatives, the county needs Phoenix lobbyists to challenge its ongoing water problems. Said there was
“I think the Capitol needs lobbyists,” Gould said. “We’re looking at 1,400 bills[in Congress]and they’re full of plates. It’s nice to have someone paying extra to monitor water items for us. If you want to find new lobbyists, you can find new lobbyists, but I think it’s important to have a presence in the Capitol.”
With this year’s legislative session already underway, Gould said February would be a good month for Mojave County officials to consider changing lobbyists, even as discussions on local water issues continue in the state capitol. said no.
The Mojave County Board of Supervisors decided on Monday to continue further discussion on the matter until the board’s next meeting in Kingman, Feb. 21, until further information is available.
