Pima meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Pima County supervisors approve data center moratorium, deny wireless tower permit

Pima County supervisors approved a 120-day moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas and denied a conditional use permit for a wireless communications tower at their Aug. 11 meeting. The board also adopted the county's 2027 legislative program and approved several contracts and appointments.

Data center moratorium and wireless tower denial

The board voted 3-2 to impose a 120-day moratorium on data centers in unincorporated Pima County. The moratorium takes effect immediately and will pause approvals for such facilities while the county reviews its policies.

In a separate 4-1 vote, supervisors supported an appeal and denied a conditional use permit for a wireless communications tower at 15949 W. Diamond Bell Ranch Road, reversing the Hearing Administrator's earlier approval.

Other actions from Aug. 11 meeting

The board adopted the 2027 Pima County Legislative Program (4-1), which outlines the county's state and federal lobbying priorities for the coming year.

Supervisors also approved a $815,000 library periodicals contract with W.T. Cox (5-0), liquor licenses for Taco Giro Mexican Grill and Rocky Point Drive Thru (5-0), and a $256,509.80 estate distribution to Pima Animal Care Center (5-0). They approved a new County Attorney classification for law graduates (5-0) and several school district election cancellations and appointments (5-0).

Several items were continued to the Aug. 25 meeting, including the Economic Development Strategic Plan and a contract with the Southern Arizona Education Council.

Election canvass

At a special meeting on Aug. 3, the board approved the canvass of the July 21, 2026, Primary Election results by a 4-0 vote.

Study session and joint meeting

The board held a study session on Aug. 11 with no formal votes. Discussions covered staffing processes, vacancy policy, homelessness and public safety initiatives, climate action, wildfire mitigation, and a monthly financial update.

On Aug. 13, the board met jointly with Tucson Mayor & Council for a presentation on the Prosperity Initiative and discussion on city-county collaboration. No formal decisions were made.

Coming up

The Board of Supervisors will hold a special virtual meeting on Aug. 17 to consider two property tax resolutions for fiscal year 2026/2027. Resolution 2026-43 sets the tax levy, and Resolution 2026-44 authorizes the delivery of tax statements and collection of 2026 taxes. Public hearings on both resolutions are scheduled, and comments can be submitted by email.

Pima County Board appoints treasurer, approves $15.3M mental health contract

The Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed Jorge Soto as County Treasurer and approved a $15.3 million contract for mental health services at its July 28 meeting. The board also certified the July 21 primary election results at a special meeting on Aug. 3.

Treasurer appointment and other actions

The board voted 4-1 to appoint Jorge Soto as County Treasurer. It also voted 5-0 to remove five members of the Pima County Industrial Development Authority. The board approved a $15.3 million contract for mental health services (5-0), a $1.75 million increase for Aarrowhead Security, Inc. for uniformed security services (5-0), and a $780,819 grant for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program (5-0).

Wireless communication facility permits were approved for 5575 N. Anway Road (5-0) and 3233 S. Abrego Drive (4-0). The board approved a liquor license for Chipotle Mexican Grill at 7250 N. Oracle Road (5-0) and denied a liquor license for Black Roosters at 12765 E. Cabeza De Vaca (5-0) due to zoning restrictions.

Study session and addendum

The board held a study session on July 28 that consisted of procedural items and an executive session for legal advice; no substantive public decisions were recorded. An addendum agenda for the same date includes a proposed amendment to a contract with High Point Networks for Mitel VoIP system maintenance and support, with no change in cost. That item was listed as agenda only; minutes have not yet been published.

Election canvass

At a special meeting on Aug. 3, the board voted 4-0 to approve the canvass of the July 21, 2026, Primary Election results.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled within the next 14 days.

Pima County Board appoints new treasurer, approves $15.3M mental health contract

The Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed Jorge Soto as County Treasurer and approved a $15.3 million contract for mental health services during its July 28 meeting, alongside a slate of zoning, licensing, and contract decisions.

Treasurer appointment

The Board voted 4-1 to appoint Jorge Soto as Pima County Treasurer. The Board also voted 5-0 to remove five current members of the Pima County Industrial Development Authority.

Contracts and spending

The Board approved several county contracts and funding items:

• $15.3 million contract for mental health services (5-0).
• $1.75 million increase for Aarrowhead Security, Inc. uniformed security services (5-0).
• $780,819 grant for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program (5-0).

An addendum item — Amendment No. 2 to contract SC2400001724 with High Point Networks, L.L.C., for Mitel VoIP system maintenance and support — was listed for consideration with no additional cost. Minutes for that addendum have not yet been published.

Liquor licenses

The Board approved a liquor license for Chipotle Mexican Grill at 7250 N. Oracle Road (5-0) and denied a liquor license for Black Roosters at 12765 E. Cabeza De Vaca (5-0). The denial was due to zoning restrictions.

Wireless permits

The Board approved wireless communication facility permits for 5575 N. Anway Road (5-0) and 3233 S. Abrego Drive (4-0).

Study session

The Board held a study session on July 28 consisting of procedural items and an executive session for legal advice. No substantive public decisions were recorded in the provided minutes.

Coming up

• **August 3, 2026 — Board of Supervisors special meeting:** The Board will conduct the official canvass of the July 21, 2026, Primary Election results, a procedural requirement under A.R.S. §16-642(A).

Pima County Board continues staffing vacancy policy motion; $20 million library contract on agenda

The Pima County Board of Supervisors met July 14, 2026, with one recorded decision from official minutes: a motion to consider revisions to the county's staffing vacancy policy was continued on a 5-0 vote. Several other items on the agenda — including a proposed $20 million digital content contract for the Library District — were listed as agenda only, with minutes not yet published.

Staffing Vacancy Policy

The Board discussed staffing processes and the current vacancy policy. A motion to consider revisions to that policy was continued with a unanimous 5-0 vote. All other items on that agenda were informational or discussion only, with no votes recorded, according to the official minutes.

Library District Digital Content Contract

An addendum agenda lists a proposed contract with OverDrive, Inc. for digital content services totaling $20,000,000 over four years. This item is agenda only; minutes have not yet been published, so no vote outcome is available.

The same addendum includes a proposed contract amendment for Helping Ourselves Pursue Enrichment, Inc. under the Crisis Cooperative Project for Opioid Misuse/Abuse and Prevention, at $275,000. Also listed: creation of the Debt and Financial Transparency Advisory Commission, an update on 2026 Primary Election operations including the "Votemobile" and ID-verified drop-off process, and a grant amendment for the Arizona Department of Housing HSSF Pima County EELS Emergency Housing Project at no cost.

Flood Control and Land Acquisition

A separate July 14 agenda lists several proposed contracts and actions, all agenda only with minutes not yet published:

• Contract with Solis Engineering Co., L.L.C. for the Drexel to Valencia East Bank Restoration: $593,247.02
• Land acquisition agreement with Promax Enterprises, L.L.C. for 28.86 acres in Brawley Wash: $555,000.00
• Funding for the Southern Arizona Rescue Association for equipment and training: $100,000.00
• Rezoning time extension request for 7791 N. La Cholla Boulevard
• Resolution No. 2026-37 opposing construction of a wall on the Tohono O'odham Nation's border

No vote tallies are available for these items.

Executive Sessions on County Leadership

The Board scheduled executive sessions to discuss personnel and legal matters, including the Pima County Treasurer vacancy, legal advice regarding former County Treasurer allegations and an investigation, and discussion or consideration of employment for the County Administrator position. These items are agenda only; minutes are not yet published.

What This Means for Residents

The one confirmed action from the meeting was the continuation of the vacancy policy discussion, which affects how the county fills open positions. The proposed contracts — particularly the $20 million library digital content agreement and the flood control projects — would involve public funds, but their outcomes are not yet confirmed in published minutes. Residents seeking confirmed results on those items should check the county's official minutes once they are posted.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Pima County Board Adopts $1.9B Budget, Employee Bonus Approved

Pima County will spend $1.9 billion in the coming fiscal year after the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on June 23 to adopt the FY2026/27 budget. The spending plan includes a $1,000 bonus for employees earning $45,000 or less.

The budget vote was the most consequential action taken at the board’s regular meeting, which also saw approval of several district budgets, a new fire restriction, and a directive to study tobacco retail licensing.

Budget and employee bonus

The final county budget totals $1.9 billion. The 4-1 vote came after supervisors considered amendments that added the $1,000 bonus for lower-paid staff. The dissenting vote was not named in the minutes.

Alongside the main budget, the board approved:

• Flood Control District final budget (5-0)
• Library District final budget (4-1)
• Multiple Improvement District budgets (5-0)
• Stadium District final budget (4-1)

Fire restrictions and other actions

With a 4-0 vote, the board imposed Stage II fire restrictions on county land. The restrictions limit outdoor flames and other fire-related activities.

Supervisors also approved multiple liquor licenses and fireworks permits in a 5-0 vote, and directed staff to investigate the feasibility of a tobacco retail licensing program (4-1).

No details about the affected businesses or the scope of the tobacco licensing study were included in the minutes.

Study session — no decisions

Earlier on June 23, the board held a study session that included executive sessions to receive legal advice and direction on a union memorandum of understanding and potential litigation. No ordinances, contracts, or policy changes were voted on; the only action was adjournment.

Coming up

No meetings are currently scheduled for the next two weeks. Residents can check the county’s official meeting calendar for updates.