After helping the nation’s fastest-growing county weather a pandemic and a year of financial uncertainty, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is putting money in people’s pockets while also making investments to ensure a better future. The Board of Supervisors approved a tentative $3.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2022. The budget includes significant health and human services spending and a property tax rate cut. It also included capital investments that will help support continued growth along with a new East Valley Animal Care and Control Facility; 10 improvement projects at regional parks; more than 92 long-term transportation projects; new security, SWAT, and K-9 facilities for the Sheriff’s Office.
It has been a hard year, but I’m optimistic about Maricopa County’s future and pleased that, because of years of fiscal discipline from this Board, we are able to cut tax rates. In 2020, Maricopa County ranked first in economic growth out of more than 30 metro regions in the U.S. The budget approved by the Board and the property tax rate cut we are planning--will support the county's economic momentum by easing the financial burden on residents while also prioritizing public health and safety.
Read the press release here>
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved funding for a new animal care shelter in the East Valley. As part of the fiscal year 2022 budget, the County has reserved capital to build a new, modern shelter in the City of Mesa at Baseline Road and Lewis Drive. The shelter will be located on land the county already owns.
The Board of Supervisors heard East Valley residents loud and clear about the need for investment in a modernized animal care facility, I will closely monitor plans for this facility to ensure it serves the needs of our community while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
The new facility will replace the current shelter at Rio Salado and the Loop-101. Built in 1991, the Rio Salado facility is showing its age and is due for replacement. Over the years, the facility has received and managed more than 7,000 dogs and cats annually and consistently had a higher adoption rate than the West Valley shelter located at 27th Avenue and Durango in Phoenix. The successes celebrated at Rio Salado are attributed to the dedication of staff, public support, and the hundreds of volunteers who selflessly spent thousands of hours in the shelter to help these homeless pets.
The need for a new East Valley shelter has been known for some time, but construction design plans developed prior to COVID-19 had to be placed on hold due to the pandemic.
With funding for a new East Shelter reserved, the next step is to begin the procurement process and review qualified construction proposals. Additional details will be released to the public after bids are in and County leaders make more concrete decisions about shelter construction and the best ways for the new facility to serve the needs of the County, its residents, and homeless pets.
In the meantime, the Durango shelter remains the primary shelter and is open to the public and volunteers with the Rio Salado facility being used for weekend adoptions and special events.
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Since December 2020, volunteers in Maricopa County’s Medical Reserve Corps have donated 94,360 hours of their time to assist in the effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. These hours represent more than $2.9 million in economic value.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health's (MCDPH) Office of Preparedness and Response manages the county’s Medical Reserve Corps. The Medical Reserve Corps is a national network of more than 200,000 volunteers in 800 community-based units that work together to improve the health and safety of the community.
Maricopa County’s Medical Reserve Corps includes 13,673 active volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. We thank each and every one of these volunteers for their time and dedication and joining our fight against COVID-19.
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If you or someone you know have been negatively affected by COVID-19, like with a loss of income, there is financial assistance available to those who qualify. The Maricopa County Human Services Department has launched a website to accept online applications for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance. Applicants will be considered for all available funding sources including the Emergency Rental Assistance program. |
Please be aware of a Maricopa County Department of Transportation project on Bush Highway and Granite Reef Dam Road. MCDOT crews will be constructing a parking lot on the north side of the intersection, and will also be extending the guardrail along the shoulder. While the roadwork won’t impact the travel lanes, the shoulder in that area will be restricted, and that may impact travel for cyclists.
Registration is now open for the County’s Summer Reading program Maricopa County Reads! The theme of this year’s program is Tails & Tales, encouraging readers to explore the many stories of the animal kingdom by reading, completing challenges, attending virtual events and participating in community experiences. Sign up now at MaricopaCountyReads.org and get ready to start earning your points on June 1st.
Sincerely, Steve Chucri, District 2 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors www.maricopa.gov/steve 602-506-7431
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