PROCEEDINGS OF THE COCHISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WORK SESSION MEETING HELD ON
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
A regular board meeting of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 1:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Executive Conference Room, 1415 Melody Lane, Building G, Bisbee, Arizona.
- Present:
- Ann English, Chairman; Richard R. Searle, Vice-Chairman; Patrick G. Call, Supervisor
- Staff Present:
- Michael J. Ortega, County Administrator; James E. Vlahovich, Deputy County Administrator; Adam Ambrose, Deputy Civil County Attorney; Gussie Motter, Deputy Clerk; Beverly J. Wilson, Planning Director
Chairman English called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA IS OPEN FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
THE ORDER OR DELETION OF ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION AT THE MEETING
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
THE ORDER OR DELETION OF ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION AT THE MEETING
INTRODUCTIONS
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Community Development - Planning & Zoning
1.
Discussion and possible direction regarding revising existing fee waiver policy to include schools in Cochise County.
Ms. English called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Wilson had a brief PowerPoint presentation. A recent request that came before the Board to waive building permit fees for Valley Union High School is what triggered this work session request to look at possible revisions to the existing fee waiver policy. Ms. Wilson noted that recent legislation requires charter schools to be treated the same as those operated by a school district so that any exemption granted to school districts would also have to be granted to charter schools. Currently a building permit is required for any construction over $1,000. She also pointed out that the only county to waive permit fees for schools is Greenlee which has no building code. In Gila County, Supervisors use their discretionary funds to pay fees.
Ms. English called for comments adding that there is a consensus that schools are underfunded and the Board sympathizes but should they be given a waiver if a bond issue is raised? There was discussion about where this might lead…if schools, then fire departments or churches? There was agreement that even if fees are waived for schools, the taxpayer is the ultimate payer which means that people outside the school district are paying for an improvement that is of no benefit to them or their school district.
After discussion, it was decided that the policy as it stands now is fine and that the Board will consider waiver requests on a case by case basis.
Ms. English called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Wilson had a brief PowerPoint presentation. A recent request that came before the Board to waive building permit fees for Valley Union High School is what triggered this work session request to look at possible revisions to the existing fee waiver policy. Ms. Wilson noted that recent legislation requires charter schools to be treated the same as those operated by a school district so that any exemption granted to school districts would also have to be granted to charter schools. Currently a building permit is required for any construction over $1,000. She also pointed out that the only county to waive permit fees for schools is Greenlee which has no building code. In Gila County, Supervisors use their discretionary funds to pay fees.
Ms. English called for comments adding that there is a consensus that schools are underfunded and the Board sympathizes but should they be given a waiver if a bond issue is raised? There was discussion about where this might lead…if schools, then fire departments or churches? There was agreement that even if fees are waived for schools, the taxpayer is the ultimate payer which means that people outside the school district are paying for an improvement that is of no benefit to them or their school district.
After discussion, it was decided that the policy as it stands now is fine and that the Board will consider waiver requests on a case by case basis.
Attachments:
Chairman English adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
_____________________________________
Ann English, Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Gussie Motter, Deputy Clerk
_____________________________________
Ann English, Chairman
ATTEST:
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Gussie Motter, Deputy Clerk