Cochise supervisors approve grants, licenses, leases and uphold zoning decision; tabling of water franchise

Cochise County supervisors on March 11 approved multiple items including a liquor license recommendation, a recurring federal grant for border public-safety operations, a county match for a wildfire planning grant, a HUD grant renewal for family self-sufficiency, a tax-deed parcel sale and an office lease; they also affirmed a zoning hearing officer ecision in an appeal and tabled a separate water franchise resolution for later consideration.

Why it matters: The votes move grant funding, local licensing and a zoning enforcement decision forward. One item with potential long-term consumer impact the water franchise was tabled for additional review and public-notice procedures.

Votes and key details (by agenda item):

- Consent agenda, items 1 4: Approved on voice vote, motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 5 (Resolution 25-03): Motion to table the resolution granting a 25-year water service franchise to Cactus State Utility Operating Company, LLC; motion passed and the item was tabled for a future meeting with additional public-notice requirements.

- Agenda item 6 (Series 9 liquor license): The board recommended approval of a new Series 9 liquor-store license for Mustang Mall in Pearce, Arizona; applicant: Andrea Lekowitz. The board forwarded its recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for final determination. Motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 7 (Over-the-counter sale of tax-deed parcel): Approved sale of an unsold parcel from last year's tax-deed sale to a bidder offering $3,500 plus a $25 administrative fee, per Exhibit A; motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 8 (Operation Stone Garden subrecipient agreement): Approved recurring grant award from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security for $391,813, effective 02/01/2025 through 03/31/2026, to fund overtime and mileage for coordinated public-safety operations; motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 9 (Zoning violation appeal 24-002851, Houston): The board affirmed the hearing officer's decision that the property at Sixth Street and Theater Drive violated sight-line/site-triangle rules in Cochise County zoning code and upheld a $750 administrative fee with a $50 per day penalty if the obstruction persists. Board members and staff discussed remedies (remove or lower the opaque screening, set the fence back, or lower fence height to 3.5 feet). The board affirmed the hearing officer's decision; motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 10 (Emergency Management fund transfer): Approved transfer of $15,000 from the Emergency Management general fund to the Emergency Management grant fund as the county 10% match for a Community Wildfire Defense Grant to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plan; motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 11 (Office lease with University of Arizona Cooperative Extension): Approved a lease of 140 square feet of office space at 1012 North G Avenue, Douglas, Arizona, between Cochise County and the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; motion passed 3-0.

- Agenda item 12 (HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Grant renewal): Approved renewal of the Family Self-Sufficiency grant (FSS 25AAZ85890-01-00) awarded by HUD to the Housing Authority of Cochise County for $80,000 for calendar-year 2025; HUD is fully funding the program and no county match was required; motion passed 3-0.

What to expect next: The water franchise (Resolution 25-03) will return after staff and supervisors prepare revised language and publish the required public hearing notices. The affirmed zoning decision carries a $750 fee and a $50-per-day penalty while the obstruction persists; staff indicated fees stop if the property owner promptly brings the site into compliance.