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Cochise County supervisors review wolf resolution, set vote for Tuesday
Summary
Cochise County Board of Supervisors members discussed a draft resolution on July 17 that would investigate wolf-related incidents, authorize training for sheriff’s deputies, request a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and require annual reporting from the sheriff’s office.
Cochise County Board of Supervisors members discussed a draft resolution on July 17 that would investigate wolf-related incidents, authorize training for sheriff’s deputies, request a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and require annual reporting from the sheriff’s office. The board’s members agreed to place the resolution on the Tuesday agenda for a formal vote.
The draft resolution, shown in a redline version during the work session, includes language added at the request of the board to “investigate” wolf incidents and to provide resources so the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office can train deputies. The draft also proposes that the county seek a memorandum of understanding — described in the draft as something the board could choose to enter into — with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to have a field agent or another law enforcement officer assigned to Wilcox, Arizona.
“I incorporated all the changes that were requested at the last meeting on Tuesday,” said Justin Bridal, a county staff member, during the discussion. “We also re-added upon Chairman Antonori’s request the word, ‘investigate.’” Bridal later said he had done legal research and “I feel confident that if his deputies are able to get trained, then they’ll be able to have that authority also.”
The redline shown on screen also adds a requirement that the sheriff “submit to the clerk of the board an annual report describing his findings,” language cited by staff as appearing on page 4, paragraph 12 of the draft. The draft separates references to pets and livestock, and contains language asking for unspecified federal rules to be rescinded.
Board members asked for formatting changes and to have all three supervisors listed as sponsors on the resolution; county staff said the office would prepare a final formatted version with the supervisors’ names before Tuesday. No formal motion or vote took place during the work session; supervisors directed staff to place the item on the next meeting agenda for action.
The discussion included brief references to constitutional matters: staff noted language referencing the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Staff said they would verify the precise legal citations and folded that language into the draft where appropriate.
Next steps for the item are procedural: the board will review the final draft and consider the resolution at its Tuesday meeting. During the work session attendees said the resolution could draw public interest once it appears on the regular meeting agenda.
