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Supervisors clarify county administrator authority, update organizational chart
Summary
The Board adopted a resolution clarifying the county administrator's authority and approved an updated organizational chart that repositions the clerk of the board to report to the board rather than the county administrator.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on June 3 adopted a resolution clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the county administrator and approved an updated organizational chart that changes reporting lines for several offices.
The board adopted Resolution 25-11 (rescinding an earlier resolution cited as 03-15) to clarify that the county administrator has administrative control over department directors (appointing, hiring and conducting performance evaluations) while the board retains operational oversight as provided by state statute. The board also approved an organizational chart that shows solid lines from the board to the county administrator and directors for administrative control and a dotted line from the board for operational oversight. The board voted to approve both items after motions from Supervisor Kathleen Gomez and a second; both measures passed.
County Administrator Gilman explained the change as aligning internal reporting with state law. Gilman said the updated chart places the clerk of the board consistent with statute: the clerk "serves at the pleasure of the board of supervisors and by appointment of the board of supervisors," rather than reporting to the county administrator.
Supporters said the clearer lines of authority should reduce confusion about personnel roles and reduce what supervisors referred to as a "toxic" work environment. Supervisor Antonori described the change as codifying the board's hybrid legislative-and-executive role under Title 11 of Arizona law and said it would "clarify and codify" oversight authority. Supervisor Gomez said the change would make roles and responsibilities more transparent.
There was public comment concerning elections management raised during discussion on the organizational chart. A public speaker urged the board to avoid pressuring the elections director to take actions that conflict with state law and to support the new elections director in following statutory guidance.
The motions passed by recorded voice vote; the board chair cast the concluding aye.
