The Douglas Commercial Port of Entry Project is moving forward after the Cochise County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc for the development of 30% of engineering design documents for water, wastewater, and broadband utilities.
The Board previously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Douglas on the coordination of funding and establishing the utilities necessary for the development of the commercial port of entry. The contract amount of $353,266 will be funded through the County Capital Fund and will be utilized to fund the beginning design stages of the development. This contract approval is another step forward in the advancement of the port of entry and overall economic development of Southeast Arizona.
In other action, Cochise Health and Social Services (CHSS) brought forth to the Board for approval, two separate Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) between the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).
The IGA in the amount of $1,900,000 was set up to fund a COVID-19 Expansion Project to provide additional response services throughout the County, further responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies. On a 2-1 vote, the IGA was not approved, and the grant award was denied. The second IGA in the amount of $669,376, was approved by the Board in a 2-1 vote and will help expand and further train CHSS’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program.
Additional items approved during the Regular Board Meeting:
- Adoption of resolution 22-0, approving the Revised Judicial Administrative Fee schedule of a new default fee of $100 to be imposed if a person fails to appear for a civil traffic hearing. Suspension fees of $75 have also been set to $100, however, per law, suspension fees are not being collected by the Justice Courts at this time. The revised fees are effective as of January 4, 2022.
- Approved an Assurance Agreement extension for Red Hawk Ranch Properties, LLC for the completion of subdivision improvements. The subdivision is located on J-Six Ranch Road south of I-10.
- Approved Community Enhancement Funds for District 3, in the amount of $2,500, for the Center of Arts and Heritage in Willcox.
- Appointments of Planning & Zoning Commission members:
- Robert Montgomery, District 1, effective 1/4/2022 – 12/31/2025.
- Nathan Watkins, District 2, effective 1/4/2022 – 12/31/2025.
- Larry Saunders, District 3, term of office 1/4/2022 – 12/31/2024.
- Jim Martzke, District 3, term of office 1/4/2022 – 12/31/2025. Martze has served consecutively on the P&Z Commission since 1973.
