Supervisors approve IGAs with Benson and Douglas for May election services

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved intergovernmental agreements on Feb. 10 to provide election supplies and services for the May consolidated election to the cities of Benson and Douglas.

Speaker 4 moved to approve the IGA with the City of Benson; the agreement passed with a 2-1 vote after supervisors raised concerns about the short-term cost for a six-month contract. County staff said elections costs for a jurisdiction can range (roughly) in the tens of thousands, and the overall elections cost estimate for the consolidated effort was discussed during the meeting.

Speaker 3 moved the IGA with the City of Douglas; the Douglas agreement passed 3-0. County elections staff advised that Douglas will place 15 referendum items (charter amendments) on its ballot and clarified mail-in and vote-center procedures for the consolidated election.

Supervisor discussion focused on turnout concerns for May special/consolidated elections and the fiscal trade-offs when jurisdictions call elections outside November.

The board also heard an update that Elections and the Treasurer's Office have nearly completed a remodel of Building E to allow public viewing of ballot tabulation and to create additional ballot-storage warehouse space ahead of the May election.