Action 8.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting - 10:00 am
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 03/24/2026
- Title:
- Declare Board vacancies Sunsite Pearce Fire District and appeal for applicants to fill Board seats
- Submitted By:
- Lara Loewenheim, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Dylan Hendel / Lara Loewenheim
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Civil Deputy County Attorney/Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Adopt Resolution 26-08 declaring vacancies on the Sunsites-Pearce Fire District Governing Board due to resignations that resulted in the loss of a quorum, and to direct staff to solicit letters of interest from qualified electors of the Sunsites-Pearce Fire District to fill the vacancies by appointment of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors until the next general election. Letters of interest will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2026.
Background:
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors has received resignations from members of the Sunsites Pearce Fire District Governing Board resulting in vacancies and the inability of the district board to maintain a quorum. Pursuant to A.R.S. §48-803, when a fire district governing board is unable to fill vacancies or lacks a quorum to conduct business, the County Board of Supervisors may appoint qualified electors of the district to serve as interim board members until the next general election.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
County staff will publicly post notice of the vacancies and the application process for the Sunsites Pearce Fire District Governing Board on the County website and other appropriate public notice locations. Letters of interest will be accepted from qualified electors residing within the Sunsites Pearce Fire District through 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2026. County staff will review submitted letters of interest to confirm that applicants are qualified electors residing within the district.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Sunsites Pearce Fire District Governing Board will continue to lack sufficient members to establish a quorum and conduct official business. Without a quorum, the district may be unable to approve expenditures, adopt budgets, authorize contracts, or carry out other actions necessary for the continued operation and governance of the fire district.
Failure to fill the vacancies could result in delays or interruptions in the district’s administrative oversight and decision-making functions. The Board of Supervisors may need to revisit the matter at a future meeting in order to ensure the district has a functioning governing body in accordance with state law.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Post notice.