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County updates: finance numbers, broadband and emergency management amid continuing mine debate
Summary
Supervisors received finance and department updates, a broadband feasibility study schedule, emergency management briefing on staffing and grants, recognized community volunteers and approved routine items including a Dark Sky Week proclamation and a $15,000 litigation contract.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors received routine financial and departmental updates and approved several procedural items during its March 18 meeting.
Finance director Mr. Chavez reported balances across county funds: a general fund overall balance of $23,685,080, a road fund of $5,470,068, a flood control district balance of $3,313,861 and a jail district balance of $8,016,195, with a total overall balance across funds of $64,859,736 and invested assets of $28,868,075. The estimated end‑of‑month balance was given as $10,868,270.
County staff described ongoing projects and operational updates: the Peck Canyon roundabout was placed in a queue for Congresswoman O'Halleran's community project funding program; the county is working to add online credit‑card donations for animal control; the AZWINDS interoperable radio system is up and in testing; and a regional broadband feasibility study with Pima County and consultant Kimley‑Horn is scheduled for presentation May 20.
Emergency Management Director Olivia Castro outlined the office's statutory responsibilities and capabilities, noting a small staff and heavy grant reliance. "My department currently has three staff members," she said, and described four main plans (Emergency Operations Plan, multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, a community wildfire protection plan and a continuity of operations plan), stockpiled response materials, a SIM table for exercises, portable radio‑bridging equipment and a county interoperable radio system funded through grants.
The board recognized community achievements — county spelling‑bee winners, a new training tower developed by Rio Rico fire personnel and volunteer efforts by the 'We Love Nogales' initiative — and approved routine actions by voice vote: authorization to fill two detention positions in the jail district, the Board of Equalization decision on a Tubac Management Company appeal, ratification of a $15,000 contract for outside counsel (Central for Rural American Justice/Celeste Robertson) for a pending criminal case, and adoption of a proclamation declaring April 13–20, 2026, International Dark Sky Week.
The meeting recessed for a jail district session, returned to general session to take the action items above, approved the consent agenda (item 4A removed earlier), and adjourned.
