The estimated $1.48 million Peterson Wash project on Safford-Bryce Road took another step toward becoming a reality Dec. 15 when the Graham County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the state and the county.

The project will include widening the box culvert under Safford-Bryce Road. According to the agreement, the state will use federal money to pay 94.3 percent of the project costs, while the county and the city of Safford will pay 5.7 percent.

The extensive project is aimed at making the road safer by stabilizing and widening the box culvert and correcting erosion of the wash’s banks from storm water runoff.

Jacque Attaway

A variety of vehicles travel Safford-Bryce Road, including city garbage trucks, private trash haulers’ trucks and private small vehicles, such as cars and pickup trucks.

County Engineer Michael Bryce said the project could go out to bid in February or March.

In an unrelated matter, the supervisors ap-proved a request from Graham County Superior Court to modify the contract of indigent defense attorney Chan-nen Day.

According to the modification, Day’s felony assignments will increase from 30 to 60 for the last half of the fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The caseload increase will translate into a pay increase from $22,500 to $45,000 for six months. Josh Halverson of Graham County Superior Court said the contract modification is needed due to the departure of defense attorney Dennis McCarthy.

Also on Dec. 15, the supervisors recognized outgoing County Assessor Jacque Attaway for 16 years of service to the county. Attaway lost her bid for a fifth term in the Nov. 4 general election.

“We want to thank Jacque for a great job,” said Jim Palmer, chairman of the board of supervisors.

The supervisors then presented Attaway with a plaque.

“The friendships and memories of the past 16 years will forever be etched in my memories and heart,” Attaway said in a prepared statement.