Cochise County officials ask voters to OK half‑cent sales tax to finance $130 million jail, outline design, funding and alternatives

Cochise County supervisors and criminal justice officials told a public forum on Oct. 8 that they will ask voters on Nov. 4 to reauthorize a half‑cent sales tax dedicated to constructing a new county jail and described how the financing, design and operational plans would work if the measure passes.

At the meeting, County Supervisor Frank Antonori, board chair, said: "As you know, on November 4, we're asking the voters of Cochise County to approve a half cent sales tax to use that funding to build a new jail." He said the board changed the financing plan from the prior proposal so the sales tax would pay only for planning, design and construction while ongoing maintenance and operations would remain funded from the county general fund.

The nut graf: Officials said the measure responds to what they described as an aging facility with design and operational problems and a growing need for modern medical, mental‑health and courtroom space. They outlined a $130 million program budget (not including bond interest), a plan for a 15‑year bond backed by the sales tax, an existing $20 million state grant, and programs intended to limit jail population growth.

Funding and bond terms

Antonori provided a breakdown county staff has circulated: a $100 million bond plus $20 million in state funding and about $10–15 million currently held by the treasurer would produce roughly $130 million for the project. He said the county expects to ask the bond market for a 15‑year bond and has requested voter approval for a 17‑year sales‑tax period because the Arizona Department of Revenue requires six months’ notice to turn a local sales tax on or off.

Antonori said the county stopped using prior sales‑tax receipts for maintenance‑of‑effort (MOE) expenses and put incoming revenue into a segregated account held by the county treasurer. He told the forum: "The only way that money can be spent is with approval of the board of supervisors, and again, the board will only approve money if it's directly related to the planning and construction of the jail." He said the county had about $15.5 million in the account at the time of the meeting.

The county’s current plan allocates…