Supervisors briefed on state, federal bills; board to oppose PSPRS change and to engage on election measures

Alejandro Figueroa, Yuma County’s economic development and engineering bureau affairs director, briefed supervisors on state and federal legislation during the March 10 meeting and identified several items the county is tracking and on which staff recommended positions or further engagement.

Elections measure: Figueroa reviewed proposals (HCR 2022 / HB 2017) that would restrict county voting‑center and on‑site early‑voting arrangements and could substantially increase the number of required precincts and voting sites. He said the county and the Association of County Officials (ACO) have signed an opposition and that the County Supervisors Association (CSA) asked counties to contact certain senators; staff noted that implementing the ballot language could require many more staffed locations and new equipment at substantial cost. Risk management staff later estimated poll‑worker staffing increases alone could cost roughly $385,000 and site setup about $100,000; equipment costs would be in the millions.

Pension proposal: The board discussed SB (PSPRS) legislation that would change employer and employee contribution rates for some public safety retirement plans. Figueroa said the proposal would shift roughly $900,000–$950,000 in additional costs to Yuma County in the near term; supervisors directed staff to register opposition to the bill because of the county cost impact.

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bill: Representative Carillo’s ADU bill remains under negotiation. Staff described amendments negotiated with the sponsor to address septic capacity, environmental constraints and other county concerns; CSA changed to a neutral position after amendments, and county staff recommended the board adopt a neutral posture while continuing to seek clarifying language on setbacks and road/improvement requirements.

Other items: Figueroa noted a legislative request for $1.3 million to replace a bridge in Somerton; he said the county is supporting that local appropriations request. On the federal side, staff summarized proposed bills to enhance border coordination, roads and environmental enforcement on federal lands.

Board direction and next steps: Supervisors asked staff to prepare fiscal estimates and to actively contact state legislators on high‑impact items — in particular the elections measure. The board indicated it would oppose the PSPRS contribution change and asked staff to continue engagement on ADU language and other bills. Several supervisors also asked staff to compile cost estimates for the potential requirement to open many more voting locations if the election measure advances.

Ending: Board members expressed urgency about election‑related costs and pension liabilities; staff will return with fiscal estimates and continue legislative outreach.