July Newsletter

Maricopa County, Arizona sent this bulletin at 07/30/2026 06:00 AM MST

Maricopa County District 4 Supervisor Debbie Lesko

Election News

2026 Primary Elections a Success!

I am proud to share that Maricopa County's 2026 Primary Election was another successful election for our voters. More than 236 Vote Centers served residents across the county, with voters experiencing an average wait time of less than one minute, and 99% of election results were reported within Day 1, after polls closed.

Great job to ALL election workers! Your commitment to serving Maricopa County's voters is truly appreciated.

District News

Luke AFB Change of Command

On July 17, I had the honor of attending the Change of Command ceremony at Luke Air Force Base to celebrate the leadership under Brigadier General David Berkland and welcome the new Commander, Colonel Nicholas Ihde.

Over the past two years, General Berkland's leadership as the Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing has strengthened the partnership between the base, Maricopa County, and the surrounding communities. Farewell General Berkland, and good luck at your next duty station!

West-MEC SE Campus Groundbreaking

This past week, I had the pleasure of celebrating West-MEC's Southeast campus ribbon-cutting ceremony. We celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of the school's construction and participated in the groundbreaking for Phase 2.

The campus prepares high school and adult students for careers in high-demand fields, helping strengthen Arizona's workforce and support employers across the region. Congratulations West-MEC!

Maricopa County Board of Health Quarterly Meeting

I recently participated in the quarterly Maricopa County Board of Health meeting, where we reviewed important public health issues affecting our community. These meetings provide an opportunity to evaluate policies, discuss emerging challenges, and help ensure our public health system continues to meet the needs of Maricopa County residents.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve alongside my fellow board members as we work to promote effective public health practices and make informed decisions that support the health, safety, and well-being of our communities.

I would also like to thank Joanne Osborne for her outstanding leadership during the past two years as President of the Board of Health. Her dedication and commitment have been greatly appreciated, and I am grateful for her service.

Team Lesko Attends Vitalant's Ribbon Cutting

Jim Bull from Team Lesko represented my office at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Arizona-based blood bank Vitalant's new blood donation facility in Surprise. Vitalant serves the blood needs of 100% of the hospitals in Maricopa County. Although there is a critical shortage of type O blood during the summer months, donors of all types are urgently needed.

Learn more and make an appointment here.

Team Lesko Welcomes New West Valley Businesses

Team Lesko's Jim Bull recently had the pleasure of attending ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two exciting new West Valley businesses—Life Coaching 4Kids and LivAway.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, providing valuable services, and contributing to our local economy. We are grateful for the investment these businesses are making in the West Valley and wish them continued success in their new ventures.

Congratulations to the teams at Life Coaching 4Kids and LivAway! We look forward to seeing your businesses grow and thrive.

County News

July 15, Formal Meeting Closing Remarks

To learn more about my statements on our settlement with Recorder Justin Heap, the Melendres Court Hearing, Brigadier General David Berkland, and the "Ring That Bell" ceremony at Sun City, click on the play button above.

MCDOT All Hands Meeting

I was honored to attend the Maricopa County Department of Transportation's recent All Hands Meeting and appreciated the invitation to share a few remarks with the team.

It was a pleasure meeting with employees and seeing so many recognized for their outstanding work. I enjoyed hearing about the innovative ways they are improving operations and delivering transportation projects that benefit our communities.

The work MCDOT employees do every day often happens behind the scenes, but it plays a vital role in keeping our roads safe, reliable, and efficient for the residents who travel them. Thank you to the entire MCDOT team for their dedication to public service, and congratulations to everyone who received well-deserved recognition.

Maricopa County Approves Prediction Market Protection Policy

On July 15, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new policy to prohibit County employees from using nonpublic information to personally profit from prediction markets. This new policy prevents county employees from using privileged information to gain an advantage in prediction markets. This type of policy helps residents have confidence that the decisions made at the county level are made with residents in mind, not personal profit. This vote positions Maricopa County as a leader on this topic, becoming the first major U.S. county to implement prediction market policy.

Read more about the policy here.

Official Maricopa County Website Adds Virtual Assistant

In collaboration with IBM, I am happy to share that Maricopa County has launched an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to guide people directly to the information they need when they need it. Nicknamed “Mari,” the little orange circle in the bottom-right corner of Maricopa.gov uses artificial intelligence to interpret questions and direct residents to relevant information across multiple County websites. In its first few weeks of operation, Mari has provided fast and thorough responses to questions about pet adoption, property ownership, public health, and much more. Each response includes a link to a trusted, official county source.

Construction Updates

Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing, 111th Ave. and Connecticut Ave. near Youngtown

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is in the process of installing an enhanced pedestrian crossing and making other improvements at the intersection of 111th and Connecticut avenues in Sun City, near the border with the town of Youngtown.

Access to residences will be maintained at all times, but drivers can anticipate lane restrictions for the length of the project. Workers will be on hand to assist pedestrians and others wishing to cross.

Work Schedule:

Where: 111th and Connecticut avenues in Sun City.

When: Wednesday, July 15, to late August 2026.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No weekend or holiday work is anticipated.

Schedule is subject to change for reasons beyond MCDOT’s control, including weather, equipment failure or other circumstances.

Questions: call the Project Hotline at 602-506-3342, or email MCDOTprojects@maricopa.gov

County Updates & Events

Flood Control Updates

The monsoon officially began on June 15 and runs through September 30. This seasonal shift in wind patterns brings a dramatic increase in atmospheric moisture, leading to frequent—and often severe—afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

The Flood Control District of Maricopa County has a number of resources available at gov/Monsoon that can help you prepare for extreme weather. Take a few minutes to subscribe to their weather outlook, check out their rainfall map, review their emergency kit checklist, and learn how to Fight the Bite to prevent mosquitoes.

Read more at gov/Monsoon

Heat Relief Updates

In the midst of summer, it's more important than ever to follow all heat-safety guidelines. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day, take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas whenever possible, and keep an eye out for those who may need extra support in the heat.

The Maricopa County Public Health Department’s 2026 Heat Season Surveillance Dashboard is now live and can be found here. As of the week ending July 18, 2026, there have been 31 total confirmed heat deaths and 321 are under investigation.

To stay cool in extreme heat, Maricopa County residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 for help or find a heat relief site at a community center, church, or library near them. Remember to check on vulnerable neighbors and learn more about the programs available to help Arizonans pay energy and utility bills, access transportation, and more here.

Staying Safe in the Extreme Heat | Maricopa County, AZ

Library Update

MCLD Launches New Library Products

The Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) has launched two new digital offerings.

Blinkist provides short, insightful summaries from thousands of bestselling non-fiction and fiction books to read or listen to in just 15 minutes. These summaries are designed to quickly convey the key ideas and insights from the book in a made-for-mobile format.

Anyone with an MCLD library card now has unlimited access to the entire library of more than 7,500 books, podcasts, and expert-led guides.

MCLD cards now come with access to Estante Infinito, providing unlimited streaming of Spanish language movies, series, documentaries, telenovelas, theater, and opera. Estante Infinito also has a dedicated Kids section with various TV shows and movies as well as browser-based games.

Animal Care & Control Updates

MCACC, Pets, animal care & control, animals, dogs

Foster an MCACC Adoptable Dog

With Maricopa County Animal Care & Control’s adoption facilities over capacity after the Fourth of July holiday, consider applying to become a foster hero. Each foster gives dogs a comfortable place to stay while waiting for their forever families. This change of scenery helps dogs decompress and allows their true personalities to shine. After reading through the Foster Handbook to learn about eligibility requirements, take a few minutes to complete the easy online application.

Learn more about becoming a foster here.

Environmental Updates

Quarterly Bulk Green Waste Collection

If your yard is overgrown, take advantage of the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department’s quarterly bulk green waste collection days happening this month!

The Cave Creek and Hassayampa Transfer Stations will be collecting green waste on July 15-18 and July 22-25 from 7:00am – 4:30pm. The Rainbow Valley Transfer Station will be collecting green waste on July 17-18 and July 24-25 from 7:00am – 4:30pm.

Please note that bagged or bundled residential green waste under 3 ft. is always accepted. Commercial green waste or green waste mixed with trash, dirt, rocks, or metal will not be accepted.

The transfer stations only accept credit or debit card payments.

Learn more at gov/Enviro or by calling (602) 506-6616.

Maricopa County is Hiring

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.

View All Postings