Cochise County sheriff says county-owned animal shelter purchase is 'very close' as offer counters continue

Sheriff Mark Daniels said the county is nearing a decision on acquiring a building for a Cochise County–owned animal shelter in Elma after a round of offers and counteroffers.

"They had an offer, we countered, now they countered back, and we're getting very close," Daniels said on KWCD's First Watch radio program. He added that once the building is approved, the sheriff's office will begin laying groundwork to operate the county's first animal shelter.

The sheriff described the transaction as still subject to review by the county board, saying the purchase will "go back to the board to look at that or accept it or recounted" before final action. He did not provide a purchase price or a timetable for construction and staffing.

The sheriff's office said animal-control officers will play a central role in operating the new facility. Daniels noted the county has not previously owned and operated a shelter and acknowledged substantial work ahead to stand up the program.

Community members and prospective donors interested in the shelter were urged to follow official county channels for updates; specific funding sources, the planned operating budget, and an exact board hearing date were not specified on air.

The sheriff's remarks close a community-focused discussion that also touched on recent outreach events and interagency partnerships that the office says will support the shelter once the property transaction completes.