Cochise County officials ask voters to approve half‑cent sales tax to fund new jail

Cochise County officials and public safety leaders told residents at a town hall in Sierra Vista on Oct. 25 that they are asking voters on Nov. 4 to approve a half‑cent sales tax to fund construction of a new county jail.

County Supervisor and Board Chair Frank Cantonori said the tax would be dedicated to construction costs only and that operating and maintenance costs would continue to come from the county general fund. "As you know, on November 4, we're asking the voters of Cochise County to approve a half cent tax to use that funding to build a new jail," Cantonori said.

The county is proposing a 17‑year tax measure to meet Department of Revenue timing rules but plans to issue a 15‑year bond and accelerate principal payments so the debt could be paid off much sooner, Cantonori said. The county estimates roughly $998,000 in monthly revenue from the tax based on recent receipts, and officials said about $15.5 million from prior collections currently sits in a segregated account held by the county treasurer.

Why it matters: county officials said the existing jail — built in 1986 — is functionally obsolete, expensive to maintain and poorly suited to handle current mental‑health and substance‑use needs among detainees. Jail staff and medical leaders described small clinic space, porous fixtures and designs that force maintenance work to move detainees or disrupt operations. "Being mentally ill should not be a crime," Jail Commander Kenny Bradshaw said, urging facilities that include 24‑hour mental‑health support and spaces designed for treatment and calmer settings.

Funding and budget details: Cantonori outlined the county's planning budget and bonding approach. Officials said the construction program…