Cochise County supervisors approve consent items, flag urgent repairs at Bisbee Jail and contingency if jail tax fails

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors, meeting as the Cochise County Jail District, approved two consent-agenda items and spent part of the session detailing longstanding infrastructure problems at the Bisbee Jail and urging contingency planning in case a proposed jail tax does not pass.

Supervisor Crosby said the county discussed multiple building failures during a recent meeting with county facilities staff, listing “water leaks in the vault,” leaks in the jail parking lot, and failures of power, water and HVAC systems. “He mentioned that, I mean, it it sounded like he thought we needed completely new kitchen and freezers and completely redo plumbing and sewer,” Crosby said. “And nobody that I've heard from foresees demolition of the current jail.”

Supervisor Anthony agreed with Crosby that the facility’s sewage system and kitchen conditions are “serious and need to be taken care of right away,” and said that investing further in an old building may not be the best use of taxpayer money. Miss Gomez was present online and participated in roll call; she did not expand on the facility discussion during the recorded remarks.

The board approved the consent agenda items — listed as items 1 and 2 on the meeting docket — by voice vote. The chair called for those in favor to say “aye,” and the motion passed 3–0.

The discussion focused on operational and capital concerns at the Bisbee Jail and on planning for alternatives if a planned jail tax does not secure voter approval. Supervisors framed the remarks as an update and a prompt to prepare for scenarios in which additional county revenue from a tax measure would not be available.

The Jail District meeting concluded after the consent vote; the board noted its next regular meeting would follow on the scheduled date listed on the county calendar.