Today my colleagues and I unanimously approved the county’s tentative FY 2018 budget. The $2.49 billion budget makes significant investments in future growth while adhering to the county’s commitment to lean, customer-service oriented government. As Chairman, my office worked for months with other elected officials and department managers to craft a budget that is both responsible and sustainable.
Balancing a budget without raising the tax rate is increasingly difficult. Significant budget items include:
- $82.29 million for design and construction of a new jail intake facility to replace Durango jail
- $31.97 million for a public safety radio system for increasing public safety
- $37 million to convert the empty Madison street jail into working space for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
- $22.1 million in mandated cost shifts and direct contributions to the State of Arizona
- $26 million in court-ordered costs related to the Melendres racial profiling case
Looking ahead, we are optimistic about Maricopa County’s long-term strategy for growth and financial stability! A public hearing and final budget adoption will be June 19.
Maricopa County is the fastest-growing county in the nation, according to updated statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Maricopa County added more than 81,000 people in 2016, moving it ahead of the previous pace-setter Harris County, TX (home to Houston). That is the equivalent of 222 new county residents per day!
Maricopa County is home to more than 4.2 million people. It is the fourth most populous county in the United States, behind Los Angeles County, CA; Cook County, IL (Chicago); and Harris County, TX.
We’ve got a lot of great economic drivers: manufacturing, bioscience, healthcare, and aerospace. People are coming here for jobs and that’s good for the economy.
Thank you to the Chandler Chamber of Commerce for hosting Vendor University: Doing Business with Maricopa County. If you would like to learn more about doing business with Maricopa County click here.
Over 100,000 inmates a year will go through the Maricopa County jail system. More than 50% will be back within 12 months of release. Governments that can reduce recidivism save taxpayers money and strengthen communities. The county’s new MOSAIC program is one way Maricopa County is rethinking our approach to incarceration.
MOSAIC represents putting the pieces of a person’s life back together. In order to do that, the men and women in the MOSAIC program discover skills for addressing difficult emotions without using self-destructive behaviors. They are asked to consider how they ended up in jail, and learn skills to ensure it’s the last time.
County Recorder Adrian Fontes and I installed a new digital recording kiosk in the Ed Robson Branch Library in Sun Lakes. Now residents can file documents with Air Quality, Environmental Services, Planning and Development and the Recorder’s Office closer to home without having to drive to downtown Phoenix. A specialist can help customers via a webcam throughout the whole process. One more positive step forward!
Find out if there’s a kiosk near your neighborhood here: https://recorder.maricopa.gov/recorder/kiosk.aspx
With Recorder Adrian Fontes, Cindy Kolaczynski and Shelby Scharbach
Melody Henderson
Deputy Administrator,
Board of Supervisors District 1
Meet our newest Deputy Administrator in District 1, Melody Henderson.
Melody is an Arizona native and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. You may hear a new voice on the phone but Melody comes to us with over 21 years of experience from multiple departments within Maricopa County. She is ready to help assist you with your needs.
In her free time, Melody enjoys spending time with her family, attending sporting events, doing kickboxing and teaching aromatherapy. We are grateful to have Melody as part of our team!
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Supervisor Steve Chucri and I representing the county in Washington, D.C.
Retiring Maricopa County Sheriff's Office K9, Kahr, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy earlier this year. His partner, Deputy Larry Edwards, has a strong relationship with the eight-year-old, so my colleagues and I voted to transfer ownership to Deputy Edwards. Thanks for your service K9 Kahr!
I had the pleasure of serving as the Grand Marshal for the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix on Saturday, April 29 and proclaimed the most famous words in motorsports - "Drivers, start your engines!"
Phoenix Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber and Indy Car Driver James Hinchcliffe
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