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Cochise County supervisors approve waste-fee increase, regional SWAT IGA and a string of agreements; immunization funding OK’d despite chair’s dissent
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Summary
At its April 21 meeting the Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved a new solid-waste fee schedule, an IGA to form a regional SWAT team and several intergovernmental agreements, and extended a mental-health grant; an ADHS immunization IGA amendment passed with the chair recorded as voting no.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on April 21 approved a package of operational changes and intergovernmental agreements, including a solid-waste fee increase, a five-year regional SWAT agreement and several election IGAs.
Public Works recommended raising the county landfill rate from $64 to $68 per ton, citing cost increases and new state tipping fees. "I recommend the $68 per ton as we have discussed at the work sessions previously," Mr. Fazio told the board while explaining the increase and noting the county has held its per-ton rate since 2016.
Supervisor Antinori clarified the impact of a new Arizona Department of Environmental Quality charge: "ADEQ ... roughly about a dollar and some change per ton is going to go to ADEQ," which he said accounts for a significant portion of the proposed increase.
The board opened a public hearing on the solid-waste fee schedule, heard no public commenters on that item, closed the hearing and approved the resolution to adopt the new fee schedule effective July 1, 2026.
On intergovernmental agreements, the board approved an IGA with the City of Sierra Vista to form a regional SWAT team with an initial five-year term and automatic annual renewals unless terminated with notice. Commander Jourty, who described years of prior joint training, said the agreement formalizes shared equipment, personnel and training to improve responses and address staffing shortages.
The board also approved a grant amendment with the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona to extend county mental-health care-team services through June 1, 2027 and accept an additional $50,000 to support salaries for the program. Commander Jourty described the care team’s work in jails, schools and community re-entry programs.
A slate of intergovernmental agreements to provide election supplies and services for the July election — with Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Tombstone and Wilcox — was moved and approved individually by voice vote.
The board approved Amendment 1 to an Arizona Department of Health Services immunization IGA for $118,619. Public-health presenter Miss Harris emphasized that county immunization services are voluntary: "Nothing is mandatory. Nothing is forced," she said. Some supervisors expressed philosophical opposition to county involvement in immunization programs, but the motion passed; the chair was recorded as voting "no." The meeting record did not contain a formal roll-call tally for most voice votes.
The board also appointed Kristy Zumas to the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved routine consent-agenda items.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 26-10 (Solid-waste fee schedule): Approved (motion, public hearing opened/closed, adopted effective 07/01/2026). Mover: Vice Chairman Crosby; second: Supervisor Antinori. (Voice vote as recorded.) - IGA with City of Sierra Vista (regional SWAT): Approved. Mover: Vice Chairman Crosby; second: Supervisor Antinori. (Voice vote.) - Legacy Foundation grant amendment (mental-health care team): Approved; extends agreement through 06/01/2027 and accepts $50,000. (Voice vote.) - ADHS immunization IGA amendment ($118,619): Approved; Miss Harris stated services remain voluntary. Chair recorded as voting no. - Multiple election IGAs with municipalities (Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Tombstone, Wilcox): Approved by individual motions.
What’s next The new solid-waste fees take effect July 1, 2026. The board set a special meeting for April 28 and adjourned.
