Cochise County Board of Supervisors held a work session Nov. 10 focused on highways/road maintenance, solid waste operations and landfill metrics, upcoming right-of-way/condemnation activity, a Geronimo Trail low-water crossing project, fleet procurement and local asphalt supply; no public comment was taken.

Discussion Points

•22 units on procurement plan; eight to sheriff's office.
•Asphalt plants may require minimum orders; local supply could reduce trucking costs if specs and quantities align.
•Auction delayed until 2027 due to new EDRP system.
•Border Patrol raised access concerns; the county lacks funds for a bridge but is pursuing grant/federal cooperation.
•Cattle guard replacement and culvert work are expensive and being scheduled based on safety and budget constraints.
•Condemnation hearings are scheduled to secure occupancy and try to preserve ADOT timing.
•Davis Road Milepost 5 is a federal‑grant project with ADOT handling bids; contractor selection expected in Nov–Dec.
•Engineering practice: ops layer 4–5 ft, subsequent lifts 12–15 ft, pit depth ~60 ft; protect liner to avoid gas/water issues.
•No outreach yet from Douglas plant; county will sample and test material when production begins.
•Recycling tonnage and revenue figures (613 tons; $91,415) and compaction improvement to ~1,259 lb/yd³.
•Replacement criteria: 160,000 miles for sheriff pursuit vehicles; ~180,000 for other departments.
•Retaining wall repairs on High Road and Visby are awaiting quotes.
•Right-of-way acquisitions are underway; multiple owners complicate timelines.
•State agency (ADOT/DPS) heavy vehicles drove off-road and damaged pavement; reimbursement is possible but may not be cost-effective.
•State law bars concrete on primitive roads; adopting the road as a county highway would permit concrete footers.

Decisions

•Hearing scheduled; no board vote in session.

Directions

•Fleet to evaluate trade-in vs auction economics and report back on timing once EDRP is stable.
•Proceed with condemnation hearings on Nov. 23; staff to coordinate with ADOT and report outcomes.
•Staff to continue monitoring compaction and recycling; provide financial report next quarter when reporting tools are available.
•Staff to continue repairs and explore reimbursement avenues with ADOT; prioritize safety-critical work.
•Staff to monitor ADOT procurement and report constructor to the board; obtain retaining wall quotes.
•Staff to pursue grants and coordinate with federal partners and monitor weather for footer work.
•Staff to sample and test Douglas plant material when production starts and report back to the board.

Nov

20261110 Work Session - Flood Control Strategic Plan

Work session of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors where county flood-control staff briefed supervisors on watershed studies, intergovernmental agreements, potential property easements, an environmental site assessment bid and risks to residents' flood-insurance eligibility.

Discussion Points

•Box culvert at Old/New Pomerene Road is undermined; temporary gabions or shotcrete suggested; consultants to review box culvert.
•Drone video of Coyote Wash demonstrated recharge and sediment control benefits for Mosen Road.
•FEMA tracker lists 11 addresses as noncompliant; causes may include missing elevation certificates or changed mapping; county must investigate.
•Finalize IGA with NRCD to use $700,000 for water restoration; policies to be presented Nov. 24; procedures under final review.
•Lower outlet to below six-foot jurisdictional height; need access/easement from Freeport‑McMoRan to complete work.
•One bid of $52,200 received from Terracon for phase-two site assessment; procurement coordination with engineering staff and the Fort required.
•Some temporary rights-of-entry obtained; many property owners live out of state and response times vary; permanent drainage easements and gates would permit proactive maintenance.

Directions

•Engineering staff to coordinate with Fort personnel to extend agreements so county can issue contract.
•Flood division to check records and pursue options to remove properties from the database.
•Staff to have consultants examine the culvert and return with recommendations.
•Staff to outreach to local property owners and return with proposed easements and outreach plans.
•Staff to pursue meetings with Freeport‑McMoRan contacts to seek easement or agreement.

Nov

20261110 Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting

Cochise County Board of Supervisors met Nov. 10 in Bisbee and handled routine business including sale of tax-deed parcels, multiple grant and contract approvals, a proclamation declaring the county a "Second Amendment County," and two contested land-use hearings: a rezoning for Carl Mashburn (approved) and an appeal of an agritourism permit for Allred Farms (appeal denied with conditions). Public commenters also pressed the board about a proposed large data-center/Supercomputer Campus application.

Discussion Points

•Appellants argued lack of caps/placement limits on overnight lodging, missing final septic/wastewater designs and traffic/parking plans.
•Applicant argued agritourism promotes farm viability and that wastewater and trip analyses are handled at permitting; applicant described sequential batch reactors to reclaim Class A water.
•Board discussed remanding vs. modifying P&Z approval and sought condition addressing commercial access to reduce use of residential streets.
•Chair Antonori and supervisors said the resolution affirms existing state and federal law and clarifies expectations for rural recreational shooting.
•Chair Antonori emphasized the goal of returning properties to the tax rolls to reduce burden on other taxpayers.
•Clerk Lohenheim summarized bids and total sales ($10,518 + $200 in fees).
•Jonathan Reeves explained that settlement participation requires waiving future related litigation claims to secure funds.
•Staff described complaints about the current HSA vendor and the benefits of consolidating accounts with Fidelity, including investment minimums and higher interest.
•Staff presented site context: proximity to Highway 92, floodplain features, and plan criteria compliance.
•Supervisor Crosby introduced the resolution citing local rural practices and calls to the sheriff.
•Supervisor Gomez added that the declaration would help residents and promote rural events.
•Supervisors asked clarifying questions; no substantive debate was recorded.
•Supervisors questioned neighborhood opposition and impact on density; staff clarified rural zone would reduce allowed principal dwellings.
•Supervisors sought additional information about taxpayer cost effects and asked staff to return with more details.

Decisions

•Adopt comp plan amendment and rezoning ordinance; vote 3–0.
•Adopt resolution 26-38 (passed 3-0).
•Approve letter of intent; transition to Fidelity effective July 1, 2027.
•Approve participation; execute required release forms.
•Approve sale as presented.
•Deny appeal and amend approval to include ADOT access requirement; vote 3–0.

Directions

•County Attorney to complete participation paperwork to secure funds.
•Human Resources to complete transition planning and employee communications.
•Require applicant to pursue ADOT commercial access to SR‑80 prior to using McRae Road for commercial driveway; enforce septic and parking requirements through permitting; monitor compliance and use revocation if needed.

Nov

20261110 Library District Meeting

The Cochise County Library District meeting on Nov. 10 convened in Bisbee, approved two consent-agenda items by a 3-0 vote, heard no public comment, and immediately adjourned; the next related meeting is a flood control session.

Discussion Points

•The chair announced the next meeting focus (flood control) and closed the library district meeting.
•The chair noted no public comments on the library district and asked for a motion to move the consent agenda.

Decisions

•Adjourn meeting and note next meeting is flood control.
•Approve consent agenda items one and two by 3-0 vote.

Nov

20261110 Jail District Meeting

The Cochise County jail district board opened its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, conducted roll call, approved consent agenda items one and two by a 3-0 vote, and adjourned the jail district to begin the regular board meeting. Supervisor Gomez asked for a reminder about a prior work session that addressed a roughly $130 million cost increase; the chair said it would be addressed in a forthcoming update.

Discussion Points

•A board member (unnamed) said they would provide more information in an upcoming update.
•Supervisor Gomez asked members to review an earlier work session for background on a cost increase referenced during discussion.
•Supervisor Gomez asked the board to reference a prior work session explaining a large cost increase (he cited approximately $130 million).

Decisions

•Consent agenda items one and two approved by vote.

Directions

•Chair/board to provide update with more information.

Nov

20261110 Flood Control District Meeting

Chairman Alexander called the Cochise County Flood Control District to order on Tuesday, November 10 in the supervisors' hearing room in Bisbee. The board approved two consent-agenda items by unanimous voice vote and then adjourned the flood control docket to take up the jail district.

Discussion Points

•Chair announced adjournment of flood-control docket and transition to jail district agenda.
•Chair invited motion to approve consent agenda items one and two.
•Committee member moved to approve; chair seconded.

Decisions

•Consent agenda items one and two approved by voice vote (3-0).
•Flood Control District adjourned; meeting continued as jail district.

Nov

20261106 First Watch

Local radio program First Watch on KWCD featured Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannells discussing the upcoming 14th annual Cochise County Sheriff's Office charity ride, a proposed data-center/tech campus and its local impacts, a local screwworm outbreak response, a trooper charged in an alleged sexual assault of a vulnerable adult, and community events including a detention-academy food drive and a horse-rescue fundraiser.

Discussion Points

•Class chose a food drive for Nov. 11 in the Walmart parking lot in Douglas to collect Thanksgiving items for the Bisbee Homeless Shelter Coalition.
•Event proceeds support rescue operations, feeding, rehabilitation and community outreach.
•Hosts encouraged community participation and described graduation timing for the academy.
•Major raffle prizes include four guns and a side-by-side valued at over $20,000; ticket details available at cochise.az.gov/sheriff.
•Pre-party tonight at Desert RV with raffles; main ride Nov. 7 with opening ceremonies about 8:30–9 a.m.
•Sheriff argued data centers can be located to minimize community impacts and maximize benefits.
•Sheriff claimed interior cooling limits water use and cited an approximate 23% property-tax rate reduction estimate.
•Sheriff described county role as supportive and educational and said USDA/state ag leads on enforcement and sterile-fly releases.
•Sheriff emphasized due process and ongoing criminal investigation and asked for others to come forward.
•Sheriff said the trooper is charged with sexual assault and sexual conduct on duty involving a vulnerable adult.
•Steve Boyce reported four confirmed cases in Arizona and emphasized the need for capacity to identify where sterile flies are dropped.
•Tack sale and raffle Nov. 14 at Single Star Ranch; raffle prizes include firearms and a quality saddle; tickets priced around $5.

Nov

11/04/2026| Arizona Dept. of Agriculture NEW WORLD SCREWWORM Community Meeting (first 5 minutes)

Sheldon Jones, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture, told a departmental meeting that New World screwworm has been detected in Cochise County and described the pest, its recent spread from Mexico and Texas, and available treatments.

Discussion Points

•Available chemical and biological treatments and companion-animal preventatives
•Contrast with H5N1 depopulation response in Maricopa County
•Department will provide technical follow-up and coordinate with federal partners
•Recent detections in Cochise County and prior detections in Mexico and Texas
•Screwworm is a pest under federal oversight, not a disease requiring mass depopulation

Directions

•Staff to provide technical briefings and diagnostics (as noted, Dr. Walker will provide details)
•Staff to provide technical diagnostics and briefings

Oct

20261030 First Watch

Local KWCD radio episode hosted by Grady Butler with Carol Kappas and Sheriff Mark Daniels featuring community announcements: the Cochise County Sheriff's Office charity ride and beneficiaries (including Warrior Healing Center), Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival, safety topics (e-bikes, secure loads), and a regional livestock screwworm concern and public meeting.

Discussion Points

•Classification and safety of high-speed e-bikes
•Confirmed screwworm case and quarantine impact on cattle movement
•Donation funding source clarification (not tax dollars)
•Enforcement and public education are ongoing
•Event logistics, prizes, and beneficiary list
•Festival programming and ticketing logistics
•Need for legislative clarity on e-bike horsepower and rules
•Need for public meeting with state vet and Department of Agriculture to explain rules
•Need to expand benefits-navigation services for veterans in Cochise County
•Preservation mission and volunteer needs
•Unsecured loads can create roadway hazards
•Use of charity funds to scale homeless-veteran housing programs

Directions

•Buy tickets in advance; attend festival
•Center will use charity ride funds for benefits initiative and housing programs
•Drivers should secure loads; deputies will enforce load laws
•Heightened enforcement and public safety messaging
•Listeners to register online; community to attend
•Public meeting in Wilcox scheduled to provide information and Q&A

Oct

20261028 Board of Adjustments Meeting

Cochise County Board of Adjustment heard two public hearings: a variance allowing a larger accessory dwelling unit at 8429 East Ramsey Road (approved), and an appeal of a residential building permit for a large barn-style structure at 4116 S. Calle Encina (the board granted the appeal and reversed the permit).

Discussion Points

•Appellants argued the 540 sq ft living area is an inserted portion and does not convert the entire structure into a dwelling.
•Applicant said conversion occurred decades ago and permits were missing for interior build-outs.
•Board discussed ability to require building permits prior to sale/transfer.
•Board discussed precedent, compatibility, and whether the permit matched the zoning definition of 'dwelling'.
•Board expressed concern that current code language permits a small residential insertion to be treated as a full dwelling, creating a loophole.
•Developer counsel said the board must interpret code text; enforcement of misuse would fall to other departments.
•Members agreed staff should review code and recommend clarifications.
•Neighbors described plan inconsistencies, septic sizing, water-quality concerns, and prior denials of variance requests.
•Staff found partial compliance with variance criteria and recommended approval subject to compliance conditions.
•They warned about precedent if a large storage structure is permitted as a single-family dwelling.

Decisions

•Board requested staff follow-up and legal coordination after the permit reversal.
•Motion to approve VAR 26-13 carried; approval is subject to the condition that structures be brought into compliance.
•The board voted to reverse the inspector's interpretation and deny the permit; the appeal carried.

Directions

•Legal staff to work on the details of reversing the permit; planning staff to review and clarify zoning language to avoid similar loopholes.
•Planning staff to draft clarifying language or guidance on the definition of 'dwelling' and accessory/principal-use distinctions.
•Staff to follow up with applicant to ensure all structures brought into compliance prior to sale or transfer.

Oct

20261027 Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting

Cochise County Board of Supervisors met Oct. 27 in Bisbee. Supervisors approved opioid settlement and state opioid-response grants, denied an appeal to build a 95‑ft cell tower in Stump Canyon after widespread public opposition, selected a CDBG blight‑elimination project for grant application, and rezoned a parcel to allow a manufactured home.

Discussion Points

•Applicant argued the site fills a coverage gap and provided RF/EME materials and FAA/agency filings.
•Board discussed state expenditure‑limit implications and temporary one‑year legislative exemption.
•County staff said applications and materials will be posted to a county data‑center webpage and the ordinance separates small facilities from hyperscale centers by a 5 MW threshold.
•Project targets abandoned/severely deteriorated manufactured homes outside floodplains and tied to prior or current code enforcement.
•Public commenters requested Wilcox‑area hearings and more transparent notice beyond standard postings.
•Public speakers — including experienced aerial firefighting personnel — argued the tower would hinder aerial suppression and pose fire and noise hazards.
•Residents cited preliminary capacity figures (1,500 MW to 6,000 MW) and asked for binding phase‑by‑phase water and power commitments.
•Rezoning request intended to allow a HUD‑standard manufactured home as primary dwelling.
•Six proposals described with amounts and durations; staff confirmed naloxone (naloxone vs. Narcan) procurement and distribution and diversion program staffing.
•Staff and commission found request compatible with nearby RU‑4 areas and allowed ADUs by state law on one‑acre parcels.
•Staff confirmed approximate statewide funding pool ($2.5M) and county maximum request ($750k) and that final sites will be selected during application preparation.
•Staff found several special‑use factors partially or not in compliance and reported significant public opposition.

Decisions

•Board adopted resolution to select the project for application (motion carried).
•Board approved ordinance to rezone parcel (vote recorded 2‑0‑1).
•Board approved the opioid settlement distributions (total $1,405,025.24) 3–0.
•Board denied the appeal and upheld the Planning & Zoning Commission's unanimous denial (3–0).
•No formal action on the project; next steps are Planning & Zoning review and public hearings (timing not specified).

Directions

•Board entered a brief executive session for legal advice before voting.
•Funds to be distributed as outlined once agreements/IGAs are finalized.
•Planning & Zoning will handle formal hearings and review once an application is filed.
•Staff to finalize list of candidate properties, perform environmental reviews and submit application by Nov. 6.
•Staff to post applications and materials on the county’s data‑center web page when submitted.

Oct

20261027 Flood Control District Meeting

The Cochise County Flood Control District met Oct. 27 in Bisbee, approved consent agenda items 1 and 2, and reviewed public participation and remote-attendance procedures.

Discussion Points

•No public comment requests were recorded; consent items moved without discussion.
•Remote attendance available via Microsoft Teams and mobile app; speaker request form must be submitted by 9 a.m. to the clerk.

Decisions

•Consent agenda items 1 and 2 approved (3-0).

Oct

20261027 Jail District Meeting

The Cochise County Jail District board met Oct. 27 in Bisbee and approved a resolution clarifying the district's excise tax rate for online lodging marketplaces and amended the new jail project budget from $130 million to a not-to-exceed $160 million; officials discussed procurement timing and financing options and voted on consent items.

Discussion Points

•An opposing member said the ballot language and prior process created a perception problem and objected to increasing the cap without clearer voter disclosure.
•Procurement uses an RFQ then RFP; site visits have occurred and questions from bidders are being answered.
•Staff explained that the resolution clarifies a nuanced area of the Arizona Department of Revenue tax tables, specifically for online lodging marketplace transactions.
•Staff holding weekly design-review meetings with the sheriff and planning consultants.
•Staff said construction inflation and prior plan cuts reduced capacity and that the $160M request restores bed capacity, medical facilities and two courtrooms.
•The clarified rate aligns collection with the transient lodging sector (0.55% vs. 0.50%).

Decisions

•Budget amendment approved 2-1; staff to present financing and procurement next steps.
•Resolution 26-01 adopted by a 3-0 voice vote.
•Target to award design-build contract in late March.

Directions

•Staff to continue procurement process and return with financing details ahead of contract award.
•Staff to coordinate with the Arizona Department of Revenue to ensure collection follows clarified interpretation.
•Staff to develop financing options, amortization schedules and procurement timeline.
•Staff to return with details on how additional financing will be structured.

Oct

20261027 Library District Meeting

The Cochise County Library District board convened briefly on Oct. 27, approved its consent agenda items 1 and 2 by a 3-0 vote, heard a short praise for the local project "Borderland Chronicles," and adjourned to its next meeting on flood control.

Discussion Points

•Committee member thanked Amanda and praised the 'Borderland Chronicles' project and materials.
•No speakers requested to speak on the library district agenda; brief comments on a local project were offered during consent discussion.
•Public may join remotely; speaker request form deadline is prior to 9AM the day of the meeting.

Decisions

•Approve consent agenda items 1 and 2 (motion carried 3-0).

Oct

20261023 First Watch

Local radio program 1st Watch on KWCD featured Cochise County Sheriff remarks on community policing and a retiring captain, updates on a behavioral health care team and a crime-tip line, promotion of several community fundraisers (Cochise County Sheriff's Office charity ride, Relay for Life, Salvation Army kickoff), and appearances by Miss Sierra Vista and other local volunteers and organizers.

Discussion Points

•Announcement of a $10,000 donation to Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Foundation.
•Captain Tim Williams announced retirement after 23 years; credited with building an operational border center.
•Care team evolved from a Legacy Foundation grant into a sustained full-time county team.
•Classic car and motorcycle show tomorrow, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at Huachuca City School parking lot.
•Classification ambiguity: pedal-equipped bikes treated as bicycles; pedal-less vehicles as motorcycles; sheriff calls for state rule clarification.
•Event time and place: Veterans Memorial Park, 3–9 p.m.
•Fundraising goal: $60,000; reported progress toward $40,000.
•Hosts note charity ride funds multiple nonprofits via raffle/auction proceeds.
•Red Kettle kickoff date and format change to dinner on Nov. 6, 5 PM.
•Rising e-bike crashes locally; examples of collisions and risky behavior.
•Sheriff described international partnerships and community recognition plans.
•Team works with schools and crisis-response partners on active cases.
•Tickets priced at $40; volunteer bell-ringing starts Nov. 2.
•Trunk-or-treat on Oct. 31 and yard sale fundraiser on Nov. 7; chair-yoga classes on first and third Wednesdays.

Directions

•Contact Lions Club president Christy at provided phone number for details.
•Continue funding coordination with county finance and partners.
•Local law-enforcement agencies to increase education and enforcement.
•Sheriff to coordinate with local police chiefs.
•Volunteer sign-ups via Salvation Army Facebook and website.

Oct

20261022 Work Session - Jail District

Cochise County supervisors held a work session Oct. 22 to review updated cost estimates and financing options for a new county jail, with staff proposing a $160,000,000 budget to preserve program space and expansion capacity amid construction inflation and volatile bond markets.

Discussion Points

•How to preserve bed capacity, medical and mental‑health spaces while controlling cost
•Interest‑rate volatility and its effect on bond proceeds
•Need to prepare rating‑agency materials and legal documents before market entry
•Options to bridge financing shortfall (state funds, county bond, reserves)
•Political and public‑messaging challenges of a second bond
•Statutory stipend to unsuccessful finalists (0.4% of project budget)
•Tradeoffs between initial cost savings and future expansion capacity
•Whether financing must be in place before awarding construction contract
•Whether to delay bond sale to time interest‑rate movements
•Whether to use short‑term county bond financing to bridge shortfall
•Which program elements can be sacrificed to meet lower budgets

Directions

•DLR to continue developing criteria documents using the $160M budget assumption
•Staff to continue credit‑rating conversations with rating agencies and present options at another study session
•Staff to model county‑bond scenarios, repayment schedules and messaging options
•Staff to prepare construction‑draw schedule and modeled financing scenarios
•Staff to provide clarified procurement schedule and financing certification deadlines
•Staff to pursue credit‑rating discussions and prepare bond docs

Oct

20261022 Special/Executive Session - Attorney General

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors met in a special session and voted to enter and then reconvene from an executive session about the attorney general's response to a public records request into alleged interference with economic development projects; the board directed the county attorney to continue pursuing responsive public records.

Discussion Points

•Chair confirmed no additional counsel was retained and thanked staff for assistance.
•Gomez clarified the motion was limited to obtaining additional public records.
•Legal counsel advised the board that the executive session could proceed under the cited statute.
•The executive session concerned the attorney general's response to a public-records request tied to an investigation of alleged interference with economic development projects.

Decisions

•Board directed county attorney to pursue additional public records; motion carried.
•Board entered executive session; no public details released.

Directions

•County Attorney to continue efforts to obtain records discussed privately.
•County Attorney to continue handling the public records effort; no additional counsel retained.

Oct

20261022 Work Session Agenda Preview

Cochise County Board of Supervisors held a work session on Oct. 22 to review administrative items, correct a jail-district excise-tax rate for online lodging marketplaces, consider $804,155.24 in opioid settlement allocations to six local programs, review health-department opioid grants and Link-to-Care transport data, and discuss community development and utility/airport planning. No public comment was taken at the work session.

Discussion Points

•ADHS grant supports overdose fatality review board and Link-to-Care transports; 2024 review covered 26 overdose deaths; Link-to-Care transported 146 individuals with 75 taken directly to treatment.
•Allocations to six countywide proposals totaling $804,155.24; recipients must use funds for services not currently provided and track reporting.
•APS may seek to transfer service in small county segments which would require Arizona Corporation Commission approval; rate-case calculations would change when service footprints change.
•Arizona Department of Revenue identified collection error for online lodging marketplace tax segment; rate should be 0.55% not 0.50%.
•Board members suggested a letter of support for a federal PayPay/Protection Act (utility-rate protection) and a work session on solar/large-load issues.
•Floodplain and site-built housing are ineligible; removal of vehicles/RVs is restricted.
•Grant is separate from pooled opioid-settlement funds discussed elsewhere in the meeting.
•Request totals $277,766.24 for two nurses and medication; Suboxone film recommended to reduce diversion.
•Sheriff’s MAT request is the largest single item and may require alternate ongoing funding for continuation.
•Staff estimated small revenue impact (roughly five months, ~ $300/month) and set December implementation.
•Staff noted ongoing costs may exceed available settlement funds and alternate funding will be required for sustainability.
•Staff proposed focusing CDBG application on blight elimination in nonincorporated, low-to-moderate-income areas, targeting manufactured/mobile homes subject to code enforcement.

Directions

•Board to formally select a project for application in upcoming meeting.
•Board to review materials in upcoming meetings.
•Identify alternate, longer-term funding sources and ensure reporting compliance.
•Include clarified resolution text and background materials on jail-district agenda for formal action.
•Staff to draft a letter of support and prepare a future work session with invited experts.
•Staff to return in March to consider remaining funds and accept new applicants.

Oct

20261016 First Watch

Local radio segment on KWCD featuring Cochise County Sheriff Mark Danels and public information officers covering community events, a DHS visit to thank border personnel, a foundation grant to local fire departments, traffic enforcement with a fictitious plate seizure, and fundraising events including a charity ride.

Discussion Points

•Bisbee 1000 reported sold out with ~1,500 participants; starting pistol anecdote included.
•Charity Ride date: first Saturday in November.
•Danels greeted the secretary at the airport and described caravans driving through Sierra Vista.
•Danels said approximately 12 departments were selected and awards were in the range of ~$60,000 to $120,000 as described on-air.
•Eldorado Days parade time and trunk-or-treat events noted; requests for wrapping paper and candy were made.
•Horse Around Rescue event location and family activities explained (7484 East Highway 92).
•Obstructed plate on a vehicle led to a stop in Benson.
•Raffle prizes include a side-by-side; some prizes require presence to win.
•Ride supports veterans groups and Warriors Healing Center; $10,000 to Warriors Healing Center mentioned.
•Running the plate showed a mismatch (plate matched a different make), and registration was expired (2022 or 2023).
•Secretary Mark Mullen visited Cochise County to thank border patrol and local partners.
•Sheriff Danels said the Howard G. Buffett Foundation donated over $1,000,000 to county fire departments.
•The vehicle was towed and the driver received criminal citations.

Oct

20261014 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission met to hear rezoning and special-use requests, including three rezoning items and a high-profile special-use for a 100-acre guest-lodging/wellness project. The commission recommended approval on multiple dockets (with conditions on some rezonings), approved a zoning-text amendment affecting certain commercial and agricultural uses, and forwarded the items to the Board of Supervisors as indicated.

Discussion Points

•Approval of minutes and calendar; no corrections from commissioners.
•Commissioners debated whether the Board of Adjustment would adequately consider neighborhood impacts and whether additional safeguards should remain within Planning & Zoning review.
•Commissioners expressed concern about spot zoning and whether built character would match neighborhood; they debated adding a condition prohibiting manufactured/mobile homes to preserve character.
•Proposed changes move development-standard relief for select uses to the variance (Board of Adjustment) process and add site-development standards for uses including communication towers, agricultural processing and animal-related operations.
•Staff presentation: property at 816 W Emory is 2.14 acres in Growth Area D; rezoning would allow a manufactured home while keeping tiny home as ADU; staff mailed 15 notices; two nearby owners in support.
•Staff recommended conditions limiting units to 25 and requiring road/access approvals and environmental protections; applicant described rain catchment/recycling and airport staging for parking; neighbors cited water scarcity (ADWR Douglas AM), traffic and wildlife impacts.
•Staff summarized notification (142 mailed, 3 in favor, 6 opposed) and floodplain limits; applicant said intent was single-family stick-built home under owner opt-out to reduce density and water use.

Decisions

•Approve SU26-18 with conditions (6–3).
•Minutes and 2027 calendar approved by voice vote.
•Recommend approval of CPA26-03 to Board (8–1) and recommend approval of RZ26-07 with added condition (motion passed).
•Recommend approval of RZ26-06 to the Board of Supervisors (commission majority); chair opposed.
•Unanimous recommendation to Board to adopt amendments as presented.

Directions

•Add special condition prohibiting manufactured and mobile homes on RZ26-07 prior to forwarding to Board.
•Applicant must obtain all required building, wastewater, fire, access, drainage and health approvals prior to operation; applicant to demonstrate water/wastewater plans and road/access approvals at permitting.
•Forward R26-02 to Board of Supervisors with staff-recommended language and exhibit.

Loading meetings…