There are three members on the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, and all three seats are on the ballot this year. (File photo by Michael Gutnick/Cronkite News)
BISBEE – Though the presidential and congressional races will be a priority for many Arizonans come November, Cochise County residents will also vote on local offices, including the Board of Supervisors.
Arizona’s most southeastern county, sharing borders with New Mexico and Sonora, Mexico, is home to roughly 125,000 Arizonans in rural towns like Tombstone, Sierra Vista, Douglas and Naco.
Like all of Arizona’s 15 counties, Cochise County elects a board of supervisors to oversee county government operations. But what is this board and what does it do?
How many members are there?
There are three members on the board, one for each of the county’s three districts: Vice Chairman Tom Crosby for District 1, Chairman Ann English for District 2, and Peggy Judd for District 3. The board is located in Bisbee, the county seat, and all three offices are on the ballot this year. Only Crosby is running for reelection. Each supervisor serves a four-year term.
In District 1, Republican Crosby is being challenged by Democrat Theresa Jane Walsh. In District 2, Democrat Joni Giacomino and Republican Kathleen Gomez are running. In District 3, Republican Frank Antenori, Democrat Joy Banks and Independents Jacob Kartchner and Patricia Nyberg are running.
What authority does the board have?
According to Supervisor English, Cochise County is a “child of the Legislature.” This means that a county government is limited to the authority explicitly granted by the state Legislature and Arizona’s statutory code.
Laws are written at the state level, but enforced at a county level, English said. After the state creates a law, the board “sets in place processes and policies” that county departments must follow. Policy disputes are managed at board meetings.
English said the board’s ability to enforce state law ultimately rests on its power over the county budget, largely generated by real-estate taxes.
English said a county department, such as the sheriff, may also seek funding from outside the county budget. But the department must first get board approval before they submit their request and before they accept outside funding.
English said the board also oversees county department leaders by holding regular meetings to stay informed about department activities and builds relationships with federal, state, local and sometimes even international agencies.
“We establish federal relationships because we need to be there when the money is available so that we can tell our story,” English said. That way the board can secure money for county projects that are not feasible without outside funding.
What is the board currently working on?
The board listed seven priorities on its “Strategic Work Plan for 2021-2024,” including economic development, environmental solutions and increasing intergovernmental cooperation.
One project on the list is the proposed commercial port of entry 5 miles west of Douglas. While Douglas has the second largest port of entry in Arizona, commercial traffic has to share the same port with others to enter and exit Mexico there.
English said she hopes creating a separate commercial port will increase transportation efficiency and boost both countries’ economies.
“Mexico is our biggest trading partner. This is going to benefit Douglas, Arizona, and the entire nation,” English said. “Why would you not want that?”