At the Sept. 11 Page City Council meeting, City Manager Darren Coldwell made an announcement. City Attorney Josh Smith won the 2024 Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety City Prosecutor of the Year Award.

“I'm going to do something a little different tonight and talk a little bit about our city attorney, [who] as all of us know is pretty quiet, keeps to himself,” said Coldwell. “He and I poke each other back and forth but I really do have true respect for Josh. He's a hard worker. He’s very well-respected statewide and this year no one even knew it because Josh didn't share any information whatsoever, but Josh Smith was selected City Prosecutor of the Year for the State of Arizona. Trooper Humphrey from the Northern Patrol Bureau is the one that nominated him.”

Coldwell spoke with Beth Barnes from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.  Barnes, who has worked in the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s office for 33 years, sent Coldwell a note. He read it to the council and meeting attendees.

“I am so pleased your city is recognizing Page City Prosecutor Josh Smith and his receipt of the 2024 Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety City Prosecutor of the Year Award.

“In my current position as the traffic safety resource prosecutor for the State of Arizona, I have the opportunity to work with prosecutors from across the state. This has allowed me to become quite familiar with Josh and his work. I am sure it is apparent to those of you who work with him, Josh is highly motivated, bright and an innovative attorney who never loses sight of what is really important in a given situation. He is an impressive problem solver who addresses complex issues with confidence and integrity. I have found Josh to be inspired by challenges, never intimidated by them, as the case highlighted in his nomination clearly demonstrates. That case is merely one example of the innovative [sic] and perseverance that sets Josh apart. I was very pleased when DPS Trooper Thomas Humphrey nominated Josh for the award. He is exceedingly deserving of the GS City Prosecutor of the Year award and was the clear winner. Josh is an asset to the prosecution community and Page is very fortunate to have him as a public servant for his quality of working.”

“So, you know, it just shows that us little towns do good things,” said Coldwell. “Just ‘cuz we're stuck up here in [Northern Arizona) doesn't mean that we still don't have good people working for the city, as we see by Josh.”