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Cochise County jail district board approves consent items after public comment urging jail remain in Bisbee
Summary
The Cochise County Jail District Board of Directors on March 11 approved two consent-agenda items 3-0 and heard a resident urge keeping the county jail in Bisbee. Staff described how jail-district tax receipts and general-fund transfers are budgeted for a new jail planning contract and a project manager's wages.
The Cochise County Jail District Board of Directors voted 3-0 on Tuesday, March 11, to approve consent-agenda items 1 and 2 after hearing public comment urging that the county jail remain in Bisbee.
At a meeting in the Board of Supervisors hearing room in Bisbee, Supervisor Crosby (District 1), Supervisor Gomez (District 2), and Supervisor Antonori (District 3) were present in person when the board approved the consent items by voice vote.
The vote came after a public comment period during which Amber Birch of Bisbee identified herself as a voter and told the board she wants the jail to stay in Bisbee. "I want the jail to stay in Bisbee. It seems financially feasible and the appropriate thing to do with our tax dollars," Birch said. She noted existing local services and personnel — "our hospitals here, our county seat is here, our judges, our court system, our sheriffs, transportation monies" — and said keeping the jail in Bisbee would save money and be logical.
The board also discussed how jail-district revenues are being used. A county staff member, Gilman, said the operations and maintenance costs for the jail district are paid from a maintenance-of-effort transfer from the general fund, while receipts from the half-cent jail district tax are budgeted under an activity labeled "new jail." "Professional services is where most of that expense lies ... that's for the CHIN planning contract currently as well as Phil Bardone, who ... his wages come out of that fund. He's the project manager," Gilman said.
A motion to approve consent agenda items 1 and 2 was made and seconded; the meeting record shows three "aye" votes and the motion passed 3-0. The transcript does not specify the contents of consent items 1 and 2.
During roll call, the board opened the meeting under the procedures referenced at the start of the session and allowed public participation via Microsoft Teams. One other person listed to speak, Betty King, was not present.
The jail district meeting adjourned after the vote. Board members announced the regular board meeting would begin immediately after the jail district session.
Votes at a glance: Motion — "Approve consent agenda items 1 and 2." Outcome — approved, vote recorded as 3–0 (all present supervisors voted aye). Motion mover/second — not specified in the meeting transcript. Contents of consent items — not specified in the meeting transcript.
