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wo prominent issues that have been aired in Cochise County are making their way into the State Legislature.

Last summer the Bisbee City Council decided against paying a bill submitted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, which approached municipalities all over the state after lawmakers slashed the agency’s budget.

Local readers may remember the reaction of council member Ken Budge, who artfully aired his opinion that the agency could go “pound sand.”

The ADWR was directed to make up its $5 million budget loss by charging Arizona cities for its services, pro-rating the charge according to the population of each community.

Legislation introduced by GOP State Sen. Gail Griffin would prevent the state agency from charging municipalities.

Griffin and local GOP Representatives David Gowan and Peggy Judd have also presented legislation to clarify and define the requirements to form a special taxing district.

This initiative is the result of an ongoing dispute between Cochise County and some residents in the Sunsites development.

By a vote of 2-1 last year, county supervisors approved the formation of a special tax district to assume the costs of maintaining a privately-owned golf course.

That action eventually resulted in a lawsuit being filed by Sunsites Concerned Citizens, a group of residents opposed to the formation of the tax district.

During this process, it has become abundantly clear that state statutes are vague when it comes to what is required to form a special tax district.

Questions have arisen on whether an individual who owns multiple properties can sign the petition for the district more than once; along with assessed valuation questions and other technicalities.

This space is frequently dedicated to the frustrations of state government and our lawmakers. Every so often, and especially in these cases, it’s nice to see the system actually work to address issues raised by local people, of local concern.