The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 approved Amendment 1 to subrecipient agreement 230411‑02 with the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, providing $201,782 for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office to purchase digital analytics equipment under the Operation Stone Garden program and extending the grant period through Aug. 31, 2026.

Lieutenant Foster, representing the Sheriff’s Office, told the board that the office had originally planned different equipment purchases in 2024 and had attempted to secure alternate funding. After further review, the Sheriff’s Office concluded it needs additional analytics capacity to process digital evidence. “We do need some more, analytics equipment in our office,” Foster said.

The board approved the amendment by voice vote, 3–0. The motion authorizes the county to accept and expend the $201,782 and directs the Sheriff’s Office to purchase the approved equipment and report back as required by the grant terms.

Lieutenant Foster said the equipment is necessary because the Sheriff’s Office is “overloaded trying to, investigate and open up that equipment,” referring to digital device workloads. The amendment extends the period of performance to allow procurement and deployment through Aug. 31, 2026.

No supplemental county match or additional county general fund appropriation was discussed during the hearing; the board recorded the motion as approved 3–0.