Joe Ferguson

YouTube video by Pima County Arizona Pima County Board of Supervisors Retreat - February 9, 2026

Just in case you wanted to watch the #PimaSupes retreat today: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrEf...

I went to Nogales this week for the @tucsonagenda.bsky.social. Here's my fact-check of Secretary Noem's comments from her visit on Wednesday.

A few things but Kasmar has served for 25 years, a good sign that he hit the required number of years to fully retire in the city’s system.

Kasmar isn't retiring, however. He is starting a job with Pima County next month as a deputy county administrator.

Absent elected officials, Kasmar's new position is one of the most senior and most powerful positions in the entire county organization.

Prieto was appointed by Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure and her appointment has the support of the Tucson Police Officers Association - the union representing rank and file Tucson police officers.

Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar has announced his retirement, leaving the city of Tucson. Kasmar has been with the department since 2000.

Tucson Deputy Police Chief Monica Prieto has been selected as the next chief of Tucson Police Department. Prieto has been with TPD since 1999.

A quick postscript from day's thread. At some point I wrote "data center" rather than ICE detention center.

To be clear, the county was talking about planned ICE detention center in Marana.

Yep, I did.

Thanks, Tim. The perils of trying to keep up with what they are saying and overcoming the muscle memory of typing "data center" last year.

I am still on the fence whether I wish for an edit button .

Thanks for saying hi.

I don't expect Supervisor Christy to change up his wardrobe any time soon.

As always, my reporting today will be in tomorrow's @tucsonagenda.bsky.social.

Please consider subscribing - it's free - to help support our live-blogging of Tucson politics.

I am going to wrap up my coverage of the #PimaSupes meeting, as I have some deadlines to meet.

I'll be back with the coverage of the #TucsonCouncil this afternoon.

Detention. The hazards of live-blogging.

The resolution opposing the Marana Data Center has passed on a vote of 4 to 1.

Again, it is a non binding resolution.

Cano said he is concerned that there are issues with detention centers, noting one center is currently experiencing a measles outbreak.

County Administrator Jan Lesher notes that county health officials did visit federally-run facilities in Tucson during the Biden Administration.

A deputy county attorney tells the #PimaSupes that there MAY be some legal authority for the county to get involved, specifically mentioning public nuisance laws.

Christy tries to make an argument that the County backed a a FEMA facility on Los Reales just a few years ago for asylum seekers. It operated in some ways just like an ICE Detention Center, he said.

He argues the County has no legal authority over a federal-run facility.

The next item, a resolution opposed to the ICE Detention Center, is next on the item.

Allen's motion passes, although an actual ordinance banning masks for law enforcement will come back for final vote in a few weeks .

Christy urges them to vote against them in the next election, calling for law enforcement to back their would be political rivals ... in 2028.

It is unclear whether this is a violation of ARS 9-500.14 - saying public officials can’t tell people how to vote for it using government resources.

Christy rattles off a list of local law enforcement unions, says his colleagues say they support those unions but today's vote is supporting the doxxing of law enforcement.

Speaking to law enforcement directly, Christy says his Democratic colleagues are "not your friends"

Scott is supportive, notes the Arizona legislature is seeking a similar state law.

He talks about doxxing, saying no public official (or employee) deserves people showing up at their homes.

To date, there have been two protests in front of homes - both members of the #TucsonCouncil.

Heinz, who notes he remembers when the County had a very different fight over masks during COVID, says the wearing of masks by federal officials represents a "significant public health threat."

A doctor, he carves out an exemption for serious medical conditions.

Cano said he has some concerns about whether the County has the legal authority to require federal agents wear masks, but fully supports the proposal.

Christy offers another alternative motion, banning the "doxxing" of law enforcement officers.

It is unclear what that would actually look like, as DHS fought just releasing the names of the agents who shot Pretti by equating to to doxxing.

His motion fails for the lack of a second.

We move to a discussion on banning immigration officials from wearing masks.

#PimaSupes vote 4 to 1 to move forward with banning ICE and DHS from operating on county-owned land.

Again, a FINAL vote on the ordinance - which has not been written - won't be adopted until early March.

Today's vote is going to be symbolic, as an actual ordinance will come back for a formal vote on Feb. 17, with final adoption on March 3.

Christy asks again, "Who will enforce this ordinance and how?"

He doesn't get an answer, at least directly.

Heinz, noting he was in the legislature back in SB1070 was in effect, says he has every confidence in PCSD and TPD to de-escalate these issues.

He notes TPD came in to help ICE agents leave after they got stuck in the Taco Giro parking lot back in December.