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In early January, I was honored to be elected unanimously as the 2016 Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. It will be a busy, challenging, and rewarding year. I plan to continue focusing on economic development in the region, particularly working with local firms and local residents. We need to make it easier for local businesses to work in and with Maricopa County by better educating them about our own procurement processes. These are the men and women who earn their wages and invest their money in Maricopa County and create the vast majority of new jobs. And, over the next year, I want to wean ourselves off general fund dollars and work with the County’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA) on exploring and partnering to spur job growth. You can read more about a new IDA grant later in this newsletter.
I also plan to work closely with the State to reduce cost shifts to our County. When the Arizona economy collapsed in FY 2008, Maricopa County went to the table and worked with State leaders to help ease the burden for all Arizonans. We negotiated with both House and Senate leadership and helped the State dig out of a $3 billion deficit during a period of dire need. But that monetary support was never intended to be permanent. Since then, Maricopa County has felt the burden of more than $260 million in State-shifted costs and cash payments. The State’s FY 2016 budget included a total ongoing cost shift of $28 million, adding several new shifts that require the County to pay for part of the operating budgets of both the State Department of Juvenile Corrections and the State Department of Revenue. We appreciate that the State faces budgetary challenges, but we cannot continue to fund State responsibilities at the expense of our County taxpayers without sacrificing public safety.
I look forward to continuing to serve you and all of the people of Maricopa County. As ever, please feel free to contact me with your comments, questions, and concerns.
In your service,
Clint Hickman, District 4
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
www.maricopa.gov/dist4
602-506-7161
I’m pleased
to report that the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), a
long-time supporter of programs for the homeless, granted $170,000 to fund
operational costs for the temporary overflow shelter, which allows as many as
five hundred people to sleep at the Human Services Campus. This grant will help
fund the program through June 30, 2016. Our Human Services Department is
working on long-term solutions that get people to the programs they need very
quickly, which helps people get back on their feet, but in the meantime, they
need a safe place to sleep. Read more...
Last month, our agencies were on hand to provide
services and information to homeless and at-risk military veterans at the Maricopa
County StandDown event. Workforce Connections, a program of Maricopa County’s
Human Services Department, informed veterans about services that help them
transition from military to civilian life. One of the greatest things about
StandDown is veterans can find job help, insurance and legal matters under one
roof. Maricopa County’s justice courts were also available to assist veterans
with handling court issues. Keeping a job in Maricopa County almost always
requires driving, so clearing up minor offenses and getting these men and women
back in the workforce is key to their well-being and that of the county.
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Nearly
400 mountain bikers from all around the nation took the Maricopa Trail by storm
on January 23 in the first ever Prickly Pedal Mountain Bike Race. The race,
which I was honored to kick at Lake Pleasant, challenged riders to keep up the
pace for more than 40 miles ending in Cave Creek. Many families hit the trail
for a shorter 5 mile race after the initial start. I was excited to see so many
visitors and participants travel to the Valley and enjoy the amazing county
park system. The trail connects all 10 county parks and stretches more than 200
miles currently with nearly 270,000 acres of natural resources open to the
general public. This kind of premier
event will grow into a multi-stage race that attracts riders from around the
country. It will benefit our local parks and the businesses for many years as
people visit, stay and play in the area. Read more...
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