Cochise County supervisors approve purchase of Wuka City site for animal shelter

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on June 30 to approve Resolution 26-21, authorizing the county to purchase real property at 450 North Wuka Boulevard in Wuka City for development of a county animal shelter for an amount not to exceed $440,000 plus customary closing costs.

Miss Gilman, a county staff member who explained the negotiation, told the board the $440,000 figure was a compromise between the county's initial offer and the seller's asking price and that the county will require the escrow to close by Aug. 1 to allow a 30-day environmental inspection. The seller will have 60 days after closing to vacate the property, Gilman said. She added the county still must contract an architect and complete design work before moving forward with facility construction.

A board member noted the property’s appraisal was about $482,000, indicating a modest equity buffer if that appraisal is confirmed. The supervisors voted 3-0 to approve the amended resolution and authorized the county administrator to execute closing documents.

The board discussed public-health and animal-control reasons for a central shelter, including better coordination across jurisdictions and responses to animal health threats. Miss Gilman said a phase-one environmental review would be started promptly if the board approved, and that staff expected to arrange the vendor for that work quickly.

Next steps include completing the environmental phase-one review, finalizing escrow and closing, and contracting architecture and design services before construction planning begins.