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Supervisor's Message
Wishing you all a safe and memorable 4th of July. And let us never forget why we celebrate our Independence Day.
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Last month, I shared that my colleagues and I approved the tentative Fiscal Year 2025 budget. I am proud to announce that the Board recently took this decision to the next level by approving the final FY 2025 budget. While we’ve all read multiple headlines about the tense negotiations happening to finalize the state budget, Maricopa County proved once again that it’s one of the most conservative and fiscally responsible local governments in the country. The $3.87 billion County budget includes several protections for taxpayers. While some other counties are taxing the maximum allowed under state law, Maricopa County's tax levy is $257.1 million below the maximum.
We managed to downsize the overall County budget by 11% and decrease property taxes for a fourth straight year without affecting our investment in critical taxpayer services. Nearly half of our remaining budget is going towards public safety, which means that law enforcement, jails, and courts will continue receiving the funding needed to hire competitively and keep residents safe.
Maricopa County also recently received national recognition for its career advancement and workforce development opportunities, and this budget invests an additional $25 million towards boosting that effort. Maricopa County realizes that when we break down the skills barrier and train workers for in-demand careers, our entire community benefits.
In addition, we have allocated all federal post-pandemic relief dollars and that money is still flowing into our community as part of this budget. Nearly $900 million has been directed toward quality-of-life improvements like increasing affordable housing inventory, helping people exit homelessness, connecting folks with new career and education opportunities, and improving public health infrastructure.
I am confident that this new budget will set Maricopa County up for another year of success and positive impact. A special thank you to all the staff who helped get this across the finish line.
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Voter Centers for 2024 Primary Approved by Board of Supervisors and Available to Public Online
I am excited to announce that my colleagues and I approved 224 vote centers! With the County’s vote anywhere model, voters may cast a ballot at any vote center in Maricopa County as early as 27 days before Election Day. Vote centers will begin to open for voters on July 3 and Maricopa County Elections will use a phased approach to open all 224 vote centers by Election Day. The phased opening approach increases reliability of in-person voting operations, and significantly expands voter access to participate in the Primary Election. Locations.Maricopa.Vote includes an interactive map that shows voters their closest location, as well as wait times and hours of operations. Please note that hours of operations may vary.
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Board Vote Wipes Out Law Enforcement Pension Debt
On June 12, my colleagues and I unanimously voted to wipe out all of Maricopa County’s unfunded pension debt for retiring law enforcement employees. In recent years, the cost of employee pension plans has risen dramatically in the government sector, limiting discretionary spending. Starting with the fiscal year 2023 budget, we took advantage of low interest rates to pay down unfunded pension liabilities, directing $500 million into the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) and Corrections Officer Retirement Plan (CORP). Our vote approved financing to pay the remaining pension debt since repayments are exempt from Arizona’s constitutional expenditure limitation. This lowers overall taxpayer costs in the long run.
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Public Health
As of the week of June 17, more than 100 digital billboards across the Valley will display critical local heat relief resources, thanks to a partnership between Maricopa County, Clear Channel Outdoor, the Maricopa County Association of Governments, and the City of Phoenix. Billboards owned by Clear Channel will promote the 211 Arizona bilingual call center to direct at-risk community members to one of 230+ local heat relief sites that can help them stay cool during Arizona’s dangerous late spring and summer time heat. The digital billboards will also help combat heat-related deaths by connecting residents with utility assistance and A/C repair replacement during the 2024 heat season. For more information on heat illness, prevention, energy/financial assistance, and help for Seniors please click on the following links:
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Maricopa County Permitting
There’s a new way to do business with Maricopa County.
I am proud to announce that the County recently launched its brand new online permitting system. Permit Center consolidates existing permitting systems across county departments into a comprehensive platform for permit reviews, inspections, payments, and more. This allows for a more streamlined and efficient process for our customers. Visit Permit Center >
WHAT’S NEW?
The new system includes a dashboard feature where the customer can see all of their permit activity including the status of active permits, outstanding invoices, and inspections. There’s also Application Helper, which walks users through a series of questions to get them where they need to go. Extensive GIS mapping capabilities improve the user experience further.
WHO’S INVOLVED?
County departments using Permit Center include Environmental Services (ENV), Planning & Development (PND), the Flood Control District (FCD) and the Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Air Quality (AQ) permits will continue to be managed in the system they are currently using. However, that system can be accessed via Permit Center.
DO I NEED A PERMIT?
If your project or task involves food, air quality, other environmental factors, or flood control, you will need a Maricopa County permit. If your project or task is taking place within unincorporated Maricopa County, you will need a Maricopa County permit.
WHERE DO I GO TO SIGN UP?
Customers can register for a Permit Center account at Maricopa.gov/permitcenter.
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Animal Care and Control
The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of year for shelters and rescues nationwide. To comfort your pets during fireworks, make sure to keep them in a cool, familiar, escape-proof room or crate. Try playing white noise or distracting them with a treat or toy.
If your pets get spooked and runs away, visit Maricopa County's West Shelter to search for your lost pet in person and submit a Lost Pet Report. You can also view Animal Care & Control’s interactive lost pet map or call their lost and found team at 602-372-4598. Other options are to post on social media, view public pages that connect lost dogs with their owners, contact your microchip company, or post flyers around your neighborhood.
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Elections Updates
Voting locations for the July 30 Primary Election are now available at Locations.Maricopa.Vote after the Board’s recent approval of 224 vote centers.
July 23 is the last day for voters to mail back their ballots and July 26 is the last day to vote early in person. Voters can track their ballots by texting “Join” to 628-683.
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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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