Weekly County Update

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District 2 Update

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

domestic violence

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The County administration building will be lit purple throughout October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Sadly, during the early months of this pandemic, police agencies and crisis lines reported an increase in domestic violence as people spent more time inside their homes and away from other support systems. 

Our partners at the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) have resources for survivors as well as practical information for people who want to be allies. Learn more >  


Elections Update

vote here
 

Early Voting began for the November General Election. More than 2 million early ballots are on their way to voters, and in-person Vote Centers are open now through election day. Voters can see what’s on their ballot, find out where to vote, sign up to vote by mail and more at BeBallotReady.Vote.

Maricopa County is expanding voting access for the November General Election, while focusing on the health and safety of voters and poll workers. Voters can choose to vote by mail or vote in-person from October 7- November 3.

Voters who requested a ballot by mail or are on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) should expect to see a yellow envelope in their mailbox within a week. The last day to request a ballot in the mail is October 23 at 5 p.m.

Voters have several options to return their completed early ballot in their signed and sealed green affidavit envelope:

  • By Mail — The recommended deadline to mail back an early ballot is October 27. Postmarks don’t count!
  • In Person — Voters can drop off signed early ballot packets at any Vote Center or secure ballot drop box. Locations are open October 7-November 3. Find Vote Centers, wait times, drop boxes and more at: Locations.Maricopa.Vote.
  • New! In Your Car — Maricopa County voters can drop off a signed early ballot from the comfort of their car at contactless drive through drop boxes. Drive through locations are open on the following dates October 24 and October 31 through November 3. All of the drop boxes except the MCTEC will be supervised. The drive through drop boxes will have at least two members from different parties staffing the boxes, the clerks for each of the towns/cities ensure the drop boxes in their facilities are monitored, and the one at MCTEC will have a camera monitoring it.  We have a courier program to retrieve the ballots every day.  The couriers are two member teams of individuals from different parties.  

Voters can track their early ballot during the General Election by texting “JOIN” to 628–683 or by visiting BeBallotReady.Vote

Seven Vote Centers opened this week in large locations that will allow for physical distancing. More locations will open throughout the month, including some evenings and weekends, dramatically expanding access for voters. On Election Day, in-person voters can choose from any of the 175 Vote Centers across Maricopa County. There are no assigned voting locations.

There are enhanced safety protocols at all Vote Centers. Poll workers are required to wear masks, face shields and gloves, and are frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces and sanitizing pens after each use. Masks and gloves are available for all voters should they not bring their own.

Maricopa County is expecting historic voter turnout as more than 2.5 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the General Election. The Federal District Court for the District of Arizona ordered that Arizona extend the voter registration deadline to October 23 at 5 p.m. for the November General Election. While the decision is currently being appealed, residents may continue to register to vote in the upcoming election. Residents may register online at ServiceArizona.com or download a paper form at Register.Maricopa.Vote.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.


Sears Fire Update

sears fire

Management of the Sears Fire will transition back to the Cave Creek Ranger District. The fire remains at 14,476 acres and is now 74 percent contained.  Residents and visitors to the area may see occasional smoke over the next several days as interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn within the fire perimeter. Large ash whirls (similar to dust devils) are frequently seen within the burned area as well.

Firefighters continue to monitor areas around critical infrastructure on Humboldt Lookout and are closely monitoring structures in the Camp Creek recreation residences. Road grading to repair impacts from firefighting vehicles on Seven Springs Road (NFSR 24) and Horseshoe Road (NFSR 205) was completed over the weekend. There are approximately 60 personnel assigned to the incident consisting of engines, hand crews, water tenders and helicopters.

The Sears Fire Closure Order has been modified to reopen Seven Springs Road (NFSR 24) and Horseshoe Dam Road (NFSR 205). Bartlett Dam Road and the Bartlett Lake recreation sites and marina are also open. Please slow down and watch out for firefighters and equipment that are working in the area.

The Maricopa Trail segment from Bronco Trailhead to Bartlett Dam Road remains closed as is runs though the center of the fire closure area. For more information about Maricopa Trails visit here>

Updated Sears Fire information>


Rio Verde Fire District

rio verde fire

In January, I was happy to meet with  Rio Verde Fire Chief Jay Ducote and Fire Board Chairman George Katterman to discuss the essential role they play in the Rio Verde area.  This week the Board voted on CARES Act money to be allocated to the Rio Verde Fire District estimated in the amount of $70,015. I appreciate the demanding job they have and was pleased to be able to help during this challenging time.


You Have More Time To Apply For A Business Or Non-Profit Grant

Business Assistance, help

The deadline to apply for a Maricopa County Relief Grant has been extended to October 30, and organizations operating in Phoenix and Mesa can now apply!  Your business or nonprofit may be eligible for up to $25,000 to cover financial losses incurred during the pandemic.

View qualifications and apply >

Watch a success story >


Maricopa County Expands COVID-19 Relief

Maricopa County has bolstered its support for residents who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic with new CARES Act funding allocations to local non-profit organizations and food banks, as well as funding increases to programs for rental assistance and utility bill assistance.

help family, families

Support for non-profit social service agencies

Recognizing the significant negative impact of the pandemic on local human services organizations that provide basic essential services to those in need, the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 approved $5 million in funding to support non-profit social service agencies. Administered by the Arizona Community Foundation, the funds will provide between 25 and 200 grants with awards ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 each. 

 

Food Services

Funding for food banks

To support food banks who are experiencing increased demand from residents due to financial hardships caused by the pandemic, the County has allocated $3 million to the non-profit Arizona Food Bank Network. From those funds, the Network will administer small and large grants to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, United Food Bank and Desert Mission Food Bank and their community partners. Additional details about food bank and non-profit assistance can be found here>

 

Utility Help

Assistance for utility bill payments

To help residents who are unable to keep up with their gas and electric bills due to the pandemic, the Board of Supervisors allocated $6 million of CARES Act funding for utility assistance, which is administered through local community action programs. Eligible applicants will be provided up to $1,000 per household. Details on eligibility requirements and how to apply are available at maricopa.gov/CovidUtilityHelp.

 

home, quarantine

Rental assistance

Several adjustments have been made to the COVID Crisis Rental Assistance program in order to better serve residents.  The 3-month limit on assistance has been removed so families can potentially qualify for rent payments dating back to March.  There is also less documentation required, further streamlining the application process.

Program administrators also noticed a substantial number of applications coming from Mesa, which was not previously served by the COVID Crisis Rental Assistance program.  To meet the need, the Board of Supervisors allocated $6.25 million of CARES Act funding to bring rental assistance to Mesa.  Now, individual households in Mesa can apply to receive $1,500 per month for each month of rent owed.  Mesa residents can get more information at mesaaz.gov/government/mesa-cares

So far, the COVID Crisis Rental Assistance program has provided help to more than 1,700 households for a combined 3,625 months (or $5.4 million) of paid rent since it began in mid-July. Residents across the County can check eligibility, apply for assistance and upload documents at maricopa.gov/COVIDRentHelp, or they can apply at their local Community Action Program office.


Funeral Assistance

Give, heart, help

Thousands of families in our community have lost a loved one to COVID-19.  Maricopa County’s Funeral Assistance Program provides some financial help to these families during what is an incredibly difficult time.  Through the program, people can qualify for up to $1,200 to be applied to burial or cremation services at a participating licensed funeral home.

Learn more >


Where Can I Find COVID-19 Data?

Decline

Maricopa County Public Health tracks and shares a lot of data related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you may have questions about where to find some of that information.  Here are three useful tools:

 

Maricopa County Public Health tracks and shares a lot of data related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you may have questions about where to find some of that information.  Here are three useful tools:

Maricopa County data dashboard

  • Daily case counts and total case counts
  • % of deaths, hospitalizations, intensive care visits
  • Demographics
  • Long-term care facility outbreaks
  • School outbreaks
  • Epi curve

Maricopa County school reopening dashboard

  • Cases per 100,000
  • % of positive COVID-19 tests
  • % of COVID-like illness

*This dashboard is searchable by zip code or school district.  A pop-up box provides a recommended learning scenario (in-person, hybrid, online only) for that area.

The Arizona Department of Health Services provides some data that the County does not track.  The ADHS data dashboard has real-time data about testing and hospital bed use, in addition to data for the rest of the state.  Their school and business dashboards break down data by county and can tell you which counties are meeting statewide benchmarks.


What Notifications Are Required If There’s A COVID-19 Outbreak At A School?

Schools

In addition to notifying Public Health, schools are required to notify parents/guardians, students and staff about the outbreak, and steps they are taking to prevent spread of COVID-19, while maintaining the privacy of those who have tested positive.  An outbreak is defined as having 2 or more PCR-positive cases of COVID-19 among students or staff within a 14-day period.  These cases must be “epi-linked,” meaning they could have reasonably come into contact with each other in school, and they must not share a household.

More FAQ’s for parents and guardians >


Hospitalization Numbers

Hospitalization Rate

Our total hospitalization numbers and the percentage of COVID-19 cases hospitalized changed.  This is due to a data correction made by Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).  You can find more information from ADHS here


Buy One, Get One Camping Promotion Returns to Maricopa County's Regional Parks

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This month, Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department brought back the popular Buy One, Get One camping promotion!  The promotion allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free during that same stay. To receive the free night, park visitors must contact the Call Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 1. The promotion will be applied to stays booked between October 1 and November 10, 2020. 

Participating parks in District 2 include:

  1. Cave Creek Regional Park. Located north of Phoenix, this park offers the illusion of being miles away from civilization. The campground has 55 individual developed campsites.
  2. McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Nestled in the lower Verde River basin, this park is a desert jewel in the northeast Valley. This park has 76 developed campsites that are perfect for RV or tent camping.
  3. Usery Mountain Regional Park. Located on the Valley’s east side, this park is located at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains, adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. The park offers 74 individual developed campsites that can accommodate either an RV or tent camping.


Sincerely,
Steve Chucri, District 2
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
www.maricopa.gov/steve
602-506-7431

TRUSTED SOURCES

Nationally: CDC

State: ADHS

Locally: Maricopa County Public Health

QUESTIONS

All information requests related to Maricopa County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic should be directed to the Joint Information Center using the email address caomedia@maricopa.gov