20261022 Work Session - Jail District

Cochise County Jail District work session, October 22, 2026: County staff and project advisers reviewed the jail’s design and cost options. The cost estimator described a preferred scope of about $160 million, intended to retain roughly 400 beds and allow future expansion; reducing the project to about $133 million would, they said, sacrifice expansion capacity and aspects of safety, medical services, and operational support. The board discussed the tradeoffs but took no formal vote or procurement action to approve a scope or budget. The project is being prepared for design-build procurement, with a firm selection anticipated around late March or early April and contract award to follow. Staff noted that state procurement requirements provide for reimbursing two unsuccessful proposers for proposal costs.

Advisers estimated that a jail-district bond might provide about $110 million, with roughly $20 million from the state and additional jail-tax revenue available; the remaining gap for the $160 million scope was discussed at approximately $10–11.5 million, subject to final costs and market conditions. Options included a county contribution or short-term county financing, but expenditure limits and the effect on jail-district debt payments require further analysis. Participants discussed waiting for a more favorable bond-market window while completing project and financing preparations. No bond issuance or funding plan was approved at this session.