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Cochise supervisors schedule public hearing on tax rates, distinguish county-controlled levies
Summary
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors discussed an upcoming public hearing to approve tax rates and levies, emphasizing a clear separation between taxes the board can change and those controlled by other districts and agencies.
County staff told the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on Thursday that a public hearing will be posted for next week to consider the county's tax rates and levies. The presentation will include a worksheet of rates for the county, special districts, community colleges and school districts; staff said the county board only has jurisdiction over the county primary property tax rate, the library district, certain flood control and light improvement districts.
The distinction is administrative: staff said the board consolidates the worksheets for submission to the Arizona Department of Revenue and the Property Tax Oversight Commission for compliance with state law. County staff member Gilman said, “we're gonna look at the meetings we have for next week,” and that the full worksheet will be attached when the agenda posts.
Supervisors pressed staff to make the public-facing materials clearer about which levies the county can actually change. One supervisor asked that the county break the submission into two agenda items: a quasi‑ministerial list of rates the board cannot change and a separate list for rates the board can consider adjusting. That supervisor said the approach would help voters understand which taxing bodies affect their bills and which the board can directly alter.
Board members discussed using visual aids — for example, a pie chart — to show the share of property tax controlled by other entities, and agreed to post the worksheet promptly. Staff said it will circulate the full worksheet after the work session and that the item will be posted the following day.
The board did not take a final vote on rates at the work session; staff described the meeting as a preparatory item ahead of the public hearing and the formal vote to follow.
The county plans to post the public hearing notice and supporting worksheet in advance of the hearing so residents can review the complete list of levies and identify which taxing districts determine most of their property tax bill.
