Press Release
The Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace has notified the Board of Supervisors that he will retire effective December 1, 2023. Justice of the Peace Emilio Velasquez has served in said capacity since January 2015. The Board of Supervisors accepted the Justice of the Peace’s letter of retirement at their regular meeting on November 21, 2023.
The Board of Supervisors is soliciting letters of interest, résumés and applications for consideration of appointment to the position of Justice of the Peace effective December 11, 2023. The person selected would serve in the position until December 31, 2024 (due to statutory requirements that the person who is appointed serve until the next regular general election). Those qualified to serve as Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace must, at the time of appointment, be registered voters in Arizona, reside in Santa Cruz County and be able to speak, read and write in English.
Additionally, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §16-230, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a person of the same political party as the person vacating the office. Since the departing Justice of the Peace is a member of the Democratic Party, the person appointed must be a registered Democrat.
Persons interested in being appointed to the position of Justice of the Peace shall hand deliver their letter of interest, résumé and application to:
Alma Schultz, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
2150 N. Congress Drive, Room 119
Nogales, Arizona 85621
The deadline to submit the various documents is December 5, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
The Board of Supervisors will consider letters of interest, résumés and applications and may interview and appoint the person selected for the position at a special meeting on December 7, 2023. The interviews are scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. For more information, please contact the County Manager, Jesus J. Valdez, or Alma Schultz at 520-375-7812.