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A new report shows Maricopa County’s economy in strong shape, with lower unemployment than the state average and a more efficient use of government money than similarly sized counties.
In June 2023, Maricopa County boasted a 3.9% unemployment rate, as compared to the state average of 4.4%, showcasing a steady recovery after a 2020 peak unemployment rate of approximately 10%. The County is home to a variety of employers, particularly in the high tech, financial, and service industries. The County’s top three employers are Banner Health, (43,440 employees), the State of Arizona (41,564), and Walmart, Inc. (36,931). Overall, Arizona is well positioned to outpace the nation and most states in job, income, and population growth.
The 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report also found that the County’s FY 2023 expenditures totaled only $769 per resident, compared to the per-person average of $1,626 for counties of a similar size. That means Maricopa County government is more efficient with taxpayer dollars, spending less than half of what other similarly sized counties spend when adjusted for population. Approximately, $331 per person went to public safety initiatives, followed by $184 per person for health, welfare, and sanitation activities, and $87 per person for capital projects.
In addition, FY 2024 will mark the second consecutive year that the County will make substantial contributions towards unfunded pension liabilities. This year, my colleagues and I are directing $190 million into the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) Sheriff and Corrections Officer Retirement Plan (CORP) Detention plans that provide retiring government employees in the law enforcement sector with pension money they have earned. Paying down this debt now means a smaller percentage of future budgets will be needed to fund these pensions.
Running a fiscally responsible government for our residents has always been and will continue to be one of my top priorities, and it pleases me to see we are doing just that.
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Maricopa County Invests More in Avondale Affordable Housing Initiative
On March 27, my colleagues and I approved an agreement to provide an additional $796,326 to enhance homeownership opportunities in Avondale using a Community Land Trust (CLT), bringing the total investment in the Avondale project to more than $3 million.
Through this initiative, six single-family homes will be built for income-qualified buyers to purchase. Each home will be built with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind to keep the operating costs of the homes as manageable as possible.
The CLT approach ensures affordability of these homes and increases the supply of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for generations. The CLT will hold a 99-year renewable ground lease which requires that the homes remain owner-occupied and can only be sold to income-qualified homebuyers.
The additional funding, part of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Partnerships Program Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) dollars, brings the total amount invested to $3.1 million.
As living expenses increase and households are forced to juggle more financial responsibilities, I have seen some families lose hope that they’ll ever be able to become homeowners, and I am proud of this Board’s commitment to investing in affordable housing projects that can keep families’ hopes alive and break down the barriers that aspiring homeowners in the West Valley face.
This initiative reflects Maricopa County's commitment to addressing housing affordability challenges by facilitating access to safe, affordable housing for its residents. For more information on housing investments made in Maricopa County, visit Maricopa.gov/Housing.
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Maricopa County Approves $820K in Community Block Grant Funding for El Mirage
I am excited to announce that my colleagues and I approved $820,000 in Community Development Block Grant for El Mirage. With this grant, the City of El Mirage will replace approximately 1,700 feet of sewer service lines to improve wastewater flow, reduce the risk of system downtime, and mitigate health risks associated with backups and potential leaking. The project will tie in existing sewer service lines and clean-outs to the new main. Eight existing manholes along the main will be refurbished and coated to provide corrosion protection and structural enhancement. This investment in wastewater management is essential to protecting water resources, preventing disease, and maintaining a healthy community.
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Maricopa County Farm Bureau
I had the pleasure of introducing Sheriff Russ Skinner at this year's annual Farm City Breakfast in Buckeye. I enjoyed meeting with everyone in the farming industry. It was also a great opportunity to introduce agencies such as the Sheriff's Office to the farming community, so that we can collaboratively strengthen our communities by developing an understanding and appreciation of each other's challenges and priorities.
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Service Spotlight
MCDOT and Flood Control District
 Board Greenlights Task Force Recommendations for Regulatory Departments
On March 25, my colleagues and I approved more than 50 recommendations from two citizen task forces aimed at improving customer service in two major regulatory departments. The vote follows months of stakeholder meetings and discussions that focused on service and process improvements in the Department of Transportation and Flood Control District.
The 54 recommendations from the report focused on improving the overall customer experience by streamlining permitting processes, improving coordination among regulatory agencies, and developing better tools for customers to navigate the regulatory landscape.
In June of this year, the County will be launching a new online permitting system, Permit Center, in alignment with a recommendation from stakeholders that the County provide a single portal where customers can navigate across regulatory departments for submittals, review, and payments. They also recommended the system provide notifications to customers on the progress of applications and review timelines, which it will.
Thirty-seven stakeholders evaluated current permitting processes and detailed their ideas for how to eliminate unnecessary reviews and providing additional clarity about permitting standards. Committees consisted of key stakeholders comprised of engineers, attorneys, permit holders, consultants, utilities, municipalities, and professional associations. The work began in August 2023 under my Chairmanship.
I was new to the Board in 2014 when we had the first regulatory reform task force, and saw first-hand how getting so many stakeholders to the table can make a real difference. Then as now, these recommendations enable us to get rid of outdated rules and procedures so important work that grows our community in a positive way can get done more efficiently.
Our vote allows staff to move forward with implementing the committees’ recommendations. Staff anticipates every single recommended improvement will be in place by fall of 2024.
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Library Update
Combatting Library Misinformation- Allegations have been made on social media that Maricopa County libraries allows sexually explicit books to be featured in their children's sections. This is not accurate. The Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) has approximately 400,000 materials housed at 15 library branches across the County. MCLD processes and organizes materials according to a strict classification system and library industry standards. Books specifically written for children are categorized in the children's sections. These specifications come from the publishers. MCLD is committed to providing the public with access to a wide range of requested materials and encourages caregivers to help children select books that are right for them.
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Elections Updates
On March 28, the Board of Supervisors canvassed the 2024 March Presidential Election (PPE), certifying that the results are accurate and that they provide a full accounting of all the ballots cast in the election. More than 609,000 (39%) eligible voters participated in the PPE, 95% of the voters that participated in the PPE voted early.
Read More
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When you work for Maricopa County, you will be providing vital services to a diverse population in the fourth-largest county in the nation. You'll work with a dynamic group of diverse and talented professionals who are passionate about serving the community to make Maricopa County the best place to work, live, and play.
With over 50 different departments, there is ample opportunity to start your career in one department and advance to another. Our positions vary from entry-level through executive level. View all postings here, or below.
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Contacts
Below is a contact list for Maricopa County constituent services. Don't see what you're looking for? Visit our County Contacts Webpage.
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