By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 2, to buy the Marsh Development in Huachuca City to convert into an animal shelter.
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The decision marks a significant step toward filling a gap left when an electrical fire in 2018 forced the closure of the area’s central animal shelter, leaving Willcox and Douglas — both over an hour away — as the closest rescue options.
“I want to cry. It’s been eight years. I am so grateful,” said Shannon Murphy, a former animal control worker at the old Huachuca City shelter.
Murphy said the 2018 fire left a hole in the community.
“It was a travesty; this shelter is a central point, I mean, Cochise County; we come together here,” Murphy said.
The closure raised concerns about accessibility for residents across the county.
“My main concern is that I live in Whetstone and the fact that there is not a county shelter is a big issue with me. If my dogs get out, I don’t know where they are going to go,” said resident Robin Fahey.
Overcrowding at the remaining shelters also created additional problems.
“The need was great; I know in Douglas there was an issue because they were euthanizing animals,” said District 2 Supervisor Kathleen Gomez.
It made people worry, as the years went by, that more dogs and cats would be euthanized.
“Nothing will change until the doors for the new shelter open,” said resident Yvonne Mayer.
That was a big reason for the many emotional pleas to the board on Tuesday.
“Now is a great time to save lives,” said Theresa Warrell.
The USDA awarded a $1.1 million rural facilities grant to the county for the project, initially set for another county facility in Bisbee. But the organization agreed to adjust the terms for the Marsh Development after the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office stepped up to help run the proposed shelter.
While there was a lot of excitement for the shelter at the meeting, not all residents supported the plan.
“I do not believe the current proposal represents the best use of county resources,” said resident Nicole Brown.
Brown asked for more options to be put on the table throughout the process instead of homing in on the Huachuca City location.
However, board members like Gomez said they have attempted to look into other areas over the years.
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A failed partnership with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona following a change in their leadership nixed a location in Turbeville, and grant restrictions eliminated a location in Sierra Vista.
While the location in Huachuca City seems like the perfect fit for the board, District 3 Supervisor Frank Antenori said costs remain a concern.
“Costs and inflation are eating us alive. We are being squished. So, we are going to need some help from the residents, the voters, and the taxpayers in this county,” Antenori said.
Antenori refers to the expenditure limit for the county. The limit was set in 1979 to put a cap on expenditures in relation to inflation and population growth.
Antenori said the scale has squeezed the county financially because the inflation rate doesn’t include gas or groceries (mainly based on housing and sales tax), which have seen a huge increase in the past 45 years, and the county has not seen an equal population growth. That keeps the expenditure limit low and affects the ability to afford a project like this long-term.
But Gomez said she would bet on her own council seat that support from residents, including 8,000 signatures gathered on a petition, will help get the shelter completed.
“I know these people are very passionate; they are very involved, and they can help raise money so that our operating costs are offset,” Gomez said.
That was something that pleased most of the residents who showed up to the daytime meeting on Tuesday.
“We are going forward with this shelter. They are not going to regret what they just did in there,” Murphy said.
It’s important to note that the approved motion gives the county authority to acquire the property but does not specify its use. Officials said further discussions on design and operating procedures will lay out a clear plan, which many say will point towards an animal shelter.
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