The Cochise County Jail District Board voted to select design‑build as the project delivery method for design and construction contracts for the county’s new jail project.

County staff recommended design‑build under Arizona statute ARS 4‑6‑0‑2(a), saying it best matches the board’s priorities of timeliness and strict cost controls. "This will shave off about 15% in time," Ms. Gilman told the board, adding that design‑build consolidates design and construction teams under a single contract and requires a guaranteed maximum price proposal.

Staff said the approach gives the county an architect to work with the sheriff’s office (requirements developer), the facilities team and the owner’s representative to produce bidding documents, and that having an architect on the county’s side will help the board review contractor proposals and trim scope if cost cuts are needed.

Board members discussed trade‑offs. The Chair said the downside is the risk placed on contractors is often built into higher bids, and Arizona procurement code limits how much the county can share risk with contractors. The board asked staff to proceed with issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the design‑build criteria architect and to continue working with the owner’s representative.

The motion to select design‑build passed; the clerk announced the motion carried. (Transcript records a final vote notation of “3 2 0.”)