Cochise County Jail District sets Nov. 4 election on excise tax to fund jail facilities

The Cochise County Jail District Board of Directors voted May 6 to adopt a resolution calling a Nov. 4, 2025, election asking county voters to approve an excise tax to acquire, construct and finance county jail facilities.

The board adopted the resolution after discussing its form in an executive session called under Arizona law. Vice Chairman Tom Crosby said the executive session was recommended by the board’s attorney to allow legal consultation about the resolution’s language before the public vote.

Board members moved and seconded a resolution initially described as calling for an election in November 2025; after an executive session to consult with counsel under Arizona Revised Statutes, the board returned and approved the resolution “as amended” specifying the election date as Nov. 4, 2025. The motion passed; Crosby recorded the final vote with the chair voting aye and stated “the motion passes.” The transcript does not identify the members who moved or seconded the motions by name.

The board invoked Arizona law to hold a confidential executive session. The transcript records references to Arizona Revised Statutes, including ARS 38-431.02(H) (public access notice) and ARS 38-431.03(A)(3) and ARS 38-431.03(B) (authorizing executive sessions and confidentiality of minutes) as the legal basis for the closed discussion of the resolution’s form.

Vice Chairman Crosby read the roll of attendees at the meeting start. The transcript indicates that Frank Antinori was absent and that Director Tim Lasota participated electronically but was not included in the executive session discussion. After returning from executive session, a board member moved to adopt the amended resolution calling for the Nov. 4 election; a second was recorded, and the board approved the measure.

The resolution asks Cochise County voters to decide whether to impose an excise tax to provide funding for county jail facilities; the resolution text in the meeting described the tax’s purpose as “for acquiring, constructing, and financing county jail facilities.” The record does not specify the proposed tax rate, projected revenue, or an implementation schedule beyond the election date.

No public comment or fiscal details were recorded in the meeting transcript provided. The board adjourned after taking the vote; the transcript shows the meeting resumed and concluded at about 4:02 p.m. The board’s next meeting was announced for May 8 at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors hearing room and will include a work session relating to the Mexican gray wolf.