Spring 2014
In a
unanimous vote on January 8, 2014 Denny Barney was elected as the new chairman
of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for 2014.
Chairman Barney
cited regulatory reform, fiscal management, and economic development among his
top priorities, as well as transparency and the adoption of a new, three-year
strategic plan.
In
outlining the five major priorities Barney recognized there is a lot of work to
be done to achieve these goals. However, “excellence can be achieved,” he said,
“If we care more... risk more ... dream more and expect more.”
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We all expect good customer service from our county
government and a months-long review of Maricopa County’s Planning & Development regulatory processes
aimed at improving just that.
Chairman Barney greatly
appreciates the 26 key stakeholders comprised of business owners, engineers,
architects, attorneys, and project managers who did a huge amount of research
and devoted two full days a month in hearings and negotiations to make county
operations more “applicant-friendly.” Through their intense efforts, a total of
22 improvement initiatives were identified and adopted by the Board late
January.
Some recommendations include:
- Eliminate early and redundant zoning and drainage plan
reviews.
- Create a single, simplified document containing
subdivision regulations and guidelines.
- Increase public outreach and educational workshops.
- Reorganize certain planning operations to allow more
“one-stop shop” opportunities for applicants.
- Improve coordination and collaboration.
Read the full Ad Hoc Task Force Report.
A similar process with our other regulatory
agencies is already underway and we look forward to seeing similar
results.
These efforts have supported Supervisor
Barney’s overall goals of eliminating or reducing unnecessary regulation,
refraining from adding any new regulations, streamlining current processes, and
focusing on practical and effective means to solve issues.
The purpose of strategic planning is to present
a vision for Maricopa County’s future, and outline County government’s role in
achieving that future.
Maricopa County is operating under a Strategic Plan that was adopted
in June of 2010. Since that time, much has changed in terms of our economy, our demographics, as well as the needs and expectations of our residents.
In consideration of this changing environment,
under Chairman Barney and county manager Tom Manos’ leadership, Maricopa County
is currently working hard to update its strategic plan to ensure that county government
continues to deliver mandated services to the public and provide accountability
and transparency while remaining in sync with the needs of our residents for
the coming years.
Supervisor Barney is
working hard to include sound, private sector business principles in the
County’s strategic plan, and to limit county regulatory involvement to the
minimum necessary in order to carry out our constitutionally and statutorily
mandated duties.
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Over the last few
months Chairman Barney has been an active presence in the community. He
continues to look for opportunities to work with other elected officials in
reaching out to our shared constituencies.
Supervisor Barney served as moderator for a Queen Creek Town Hall with Congressman Matt Salmon and Mayor Gail Barney (pictured left).
In support of our
great local Mayors, he attended the Tempe State of the City, Chandler State of
the City, Gilbert State of the Town, Queen Creek State of the Town, and Phoenix
State of the City addresses.
Recently it has been
a privilege for him to personally speak at the Scottsdale Rotary, Mesa Rotary, Chandler
Chamber Elected Officials Breakfast, Legislative Districts 12, 18, and 26,
Greater Phoenix Leadership, Arizona Management Society, and to an ASU
Management of Urban Government class.
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On
February 6, Supervisor Barney, along with Supervisor Kunasek, was a guest
speaker on the Men's Health Talk Program
on KXXT 1010 AM with Fred Taylor. The topic, "Future Plans for
Maricopa County and Health Related Issues,” discussed some key issues related to
taxes, an ordinance allowing medical-marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated
areas, and health related issues that impact the county.
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Maricopa
County Service Counter within Phoenix City Hall
On February 3, Maricopa
County opened its own service counter within Phoenix City Hall, a move designed
to create a convenient, “one-stop shop” to make it easier for residents to
obtain permits and do business with governments.
In addition to permitting
services for the city, the Maricopa County Environmental Services and Air
Quality departments will now be available at city hall for various permitting
services, including restaurants, special events, dust control, and burn
permits.
The county counter will be open during city business
hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located on the second
floor of Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St.
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Power Knowledge Corridor sign unveiling
As the east valley has
grown, more and more educational institutions have been established along Power
Road creating a concentrated corridor for multi-generational learning, the
foundation of the new “Power Knowledge Corridor”. Supervisor Barney joined Mesa
Mayor Scott Smith, Mesa Councilmember Scott Somers and Gilbert Mayor John Lewis
April 3 as they unveiled new street signage that both recognizes the work that
has been done and, more importantly, invites others to be part of this learning
corridor.
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Robson Library event
On March 17, Chairman Barney participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate a new hearing induction loop system at the Sun Lakes Ed Robson Branch Library.
The $14,000 state-of-the art system was a gift from
the Robson Friends of the Library to aid hearing-impaired guests during events,
programs, presentations and other activities.
(Pictured above) Supervisor Barney with constituent and Library District Citizens' Advisory Committee member Janet Mills.
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Chandler Chamber
Public Policy Meeting
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Issues… Influence… Impact... Chairman
Barney and Representative
Jeff Dial spoke at
the Chandler Chamber Public Policy Meeting on March 28.
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. Abraham Lincoln
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Since being elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2012, citizens often ask “What can you tell me about Maricopa County?”
In the next few newsletters we will highlight a few interesting facts you might not have known about Maricopa County.
- To this day, more than half of all the roses grown in the United States come from Maricopa County, specifically a few farms in the Northwest Valley. Millions of bushes are grown here and shipped to nurseries and big retailers like Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
- In land area, Maricopa County is about the same size as Vermont. Maricopa County is larger than El Salvador, Israel, and seven states.
- If Maricopa County were a state, it would have seven electoral votes, as many as Oklahoma, Oregon and Connecticut and we are gaining on Kentucky and Louisiana.
Please let us know how we can better serve you.
Best Regards,
Denny Barney, District 1 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors www.maricopa.gov/dist1/ 602-506-1776
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