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Board ratifies direction to county attorney to investigate whether state attorney general exceeded authority
Summary
Following debate and public comment, the Board unanimously ratified a directive for the county attorney to investigate whether the Arizona attorney general exceeded authority in actions tied to a July 7 special meeting, citing potential use of nuisance law and impacts on local economic development.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted 3–0 on July 28 to ratify earlier direction asking the county attorney’s office to investigate whether the Arizona attorney general exceeded statutory authority under ARS 38‑431.05(a),(b) in conduct tied to a July 7 special meeting and subsequent actions.
Chair Antonori framed the inquiry as a civil‑law review, not a criminal probe, saying the board sought to determine whether the AG’s involvement in matters such as the proposed Aluminum Dynamics project and the Riverview enforcement action exceeded her statutory authority. “What we did is we had an executive session to discuss issues regarding some recent activity by the attorney general in Cochise County that, I feel personally had a detriment to the county,” Antonori said.
The item attracted extensive public comment with speakers both defending the AG’s actions as community advocacy on groundwater and health, and criticizing the board’s use of county resources as politically timed. Opponents described the resolution as potentially retaliatory while supporters said clarification of the AG’s scope is reasonable given economic development concerns. After public comment, the board voted to ratify the investigation direction; county staff will proceed with records requests and legal review and may recommend outside counsel if needed.
