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BISBEE — With so much at stake, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors want a seat on the organizing board that would determine the future of the Upper San Pedro Water District.
“Once the request left the county, we’ve been left out,” Chairman Richard Searle said during Tuesday’s board meeting. “There’s been no input from us requested.”
County Administrator Jody Klein added, “Nine people will be appointed to the (board), so it’s possible that a county representative could be in that group.”
The wording in the bill notes that the governor will appoint five people. One will be from a city located within the district that has a population of 35,000 or more, and one will be from another city in the district with less than 35,000 people. One may represent a conservation organization involved in the Upper San Pedro Partnership. The fourth may represent an investor-owned utility, and the fifth is someone who has retired from the military.
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Four more board members would be appointed by the president of the Senate, Sen. Tim Bee, and the speaker of the House, Rep. James Weiers. They will appoint two people each.
The board would serve until the water district is approved in an election by a vote of the residents living within the district and a board of directors is established, also through a vote of the residents.
Such a water management board could set a tax on customers of water companies that would provide funds for water conservation projects, such as catch basins or systems to recharge the aquifer.
The tax would not apply to people on private wells or agricultural and ranch land.
Supervisor Paul Newman asked if they should lobby for a seat and push the issue a bit.
Supervisor Pat Call replied, “It may be premature to push it. It’s close right now. If the legislation gets through, then we should get involved. … We should be able to give our opinions and the opinions of our residents. They will be heard.”
Searle suggested that the supervisors continue dialogue with legislative representatives.
A few months ago, the supervisors approved a resolution to create, through state legislation, a taxable water management district which would have an elected board made up of residents from the area in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed District. The district would encompass all of the land within the Sierra Vista Subwatershed District. It includes Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Huachuca City, parts of Bisbee, Whetstone and parts in-between. The goal is to preserve the aquifer and base flow conditions of the Upper San Pedro River to assist in meeting the water supply needs and water conservation requirements.
Legislation is being considered by the state House and Senate.
The effort to reduce water consumption stems from a federal mandate to save water in the San Pedro River or possibly lose Fort Huachuca, which is seen as a potential economic disaster to the state, county and the surrounding municipalities.
In other business, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday:
• Approved two interim permits and personal transfer application for a series No. 06 liquor license for La Cabana Bar and the K -S Family Store on Kansas Settlement Road as requested by Filigonia Castillo. Board Chairman Richard Searle said no one had opposed the request and no complaints had been received.
• Approved an annual Governor’s Office of Highway Safety grant in the amount of $4,900 to fund overtime for officers and deputies working with the Click It or Ticket program.
• Approved the abandonment of a portion of Pine Street.
• Approved a proclamation declaring June 2 as GED recognition day.
• Adopted a resolution granting SFPP Limited Partnership the right to continue construction of a new fuel pipeline through Cochise County. The company determined one portion of the old line would have to be relocated by one mile to cross Pomerene Road and the supervisors had to approve the route adjustment.
• Adopted a policy for internal electronic announcements for county employees.
• Approved an application for an extension of premises for a smoking patio at Bonnie’s Lounge on Highway 92 in Hereford.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
