HB 2063; limited county employee merit system
As Chairman of the Maricopa
County Board of Supervisors, I was pleased to introduce HB 2063; limited county
employee merit system. This bill addresses the current needs of the workforce
within Maricopa County. Previously, the County Board of Supervisors was limited
in regard to the employee merit system. The language of the bill removes the
archaic confines of the arbitrary 10 percent when deciding how many employees
should be considered “uncovered.” This bill paves the way to restructure hiring
and disciplinary processes and sets the stage for pay for performance.
Maricopa County is a
complex business with 50 separate lines of service, operating in a fiercely
competitive market. We can no longer be governed by this decades-old system
when it comes to the development of the public sector workforce that the county
and its taxpayers need.
On April 13, 2015,
Governor Ducey signed this bill into law.
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National County Government Month is April 2015
 April is National County Government month, with the theme "Counties Moving America Forward: The Keys Are Transportation and Infrastructure.” Counties play a unique responsibility in the protection, health, welfare, and safety of our residents. In 2014, Maricopa County won over 30 National Association of Counties awards for excellence, a testament that Maricopa County is moving forward!
Read the proclamation.
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County Approves Flood Control Improvement Project in Scottsdale
Thanks to the Granite Reef Watershed Drainage Improvements Project, over 600 properties in the City of Scottsdale will be removed from a floodplain. An Intergovernmental Agreement was approved by the Flood Control District’s Board of Directors to cost share the initial phase of the project.
The initial phase of the project will design the expansion of existing storm drain systems, including additional catch basins and other storm drain laterals and will acquire property for future detention basins. Future phases will include the construction of those improvements and additional storm drain and channel features. When completed, the overall system will intercept flood water within the Granite Reef Wash watershed and safely convey it to the Indian Bend Wash which outfalls at the Salt River.
The Flood Control District, City of Scottsdale, and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) are partnering on this project, which has been in the works since 2002.
As Chairman of the Flood Control District and District 2 Supervisor, I am pleased that this project will remove the floodplain from so many properties. As always, our primary concern is the safety of our citizens and this project will provide additional 100-year flood water protection for citizens in the watershed.
Mesa, County Partner to Increase Flood Protection for Residents
Mesa residents will enjoy increased flood protection thanks to a partnership between the City of Mesa and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County to construct five drainage improvement projects in neighborhoods that were devastated by flooding during the 2014 monsoon. The City requested the drainage improvements through the District’s Small Project Assistance Program which contributes construction costs towards projects that are local in nature but pose a safety risk to citizens and property.
This collaboration between the City of Mesa and the Flood Control District is a good example of how small projects can have great impacts in our communities. Once constructed, these drainage improvements will help protect many of the families that were impacted by the monsoon storms last year.
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and Ft. McDowell Indian Community
 As the District 2 Supervisor, I have the distinct honor of representing
the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and the Fort McDowell
Indian Reservations. I met the new President of the Salt River Pima
Maricopa Indian Community Delbert W. Ray, Sr. and the new President of
the Fort McDowell Indian Community Ruben Balderas. I look forward to
continuing to work together with President Ray, Sr. and President
Balderas.
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ASU and Maricopa County
 Dr. Michael Crow and
I discussed ways to advance a strong Arizona economy. Further, we appreciate the ASU and
Maricopa County partnership offering top students hands-on experience that
enhances their education with an introduction to the opportunities and rewards
of public service careers, including internships in county government.
The internship
also provides specialized career training applicable to any field. To learn
more visit the MCLEAPS website.
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Apple Global Command Center in Mesa
 Governor Ducey announced that Apple will make a $2 billion investment in
our state for its Global Command Center in Mesa. The facility is
expected to employ 150 full-time Apple employees, with an additional
300-500 construction and trade jobs during the construction phase. Not
only will Apple be bringing more jobs to Arizona, but it will be using
our greatest resource, the sun, to completely power the facility using
this renewable energy source. I was honored to participate in this press
conference.
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Heritage Academy High School
 On March 4, I
visited Heritage Academy High School and had a productive conversation
with the students about Maricopa County and its role and connection to
city and state government. I thought I could stump them by challenging them to
name all 15 counties. I was wrong! These students are sharp and engaged. Our
future is bright.
Thank you to Principal Taylor and the Heritage Academy Seniors!
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Cave Creek Regional Park Volunteers Appreciation Luncheon
 I would like to express my gratitude to our Parks Director RJ Cardin
along with this wonderful group of volunteers. In total, the Park
Department’s volunteer community contributes over 99,000 hours of work
annually to the County’s 10 regional parks.
On March 12, I had the opportunity to tour the Cave Creek Regional Park and speak to park volunteers. I was moved by the beauty of the desert landscape as well as the efforts of the volunteers. From my office in downtown Phoenix, I look out over a four-story parking garage with solar panels. I envy the views the volunteers enjoy every day seeing God’s fingerprints all over the landscape.
Please take the opportunity to visit this beautiful park as well as the other parks Maricopa County has to offer! Thanks again to the volunteers who assist in making our County government cutting-edge and efficient.
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SDI Groundbreaking ceremony
In March, I attended the Special Devices Inc (SDI) groundbreaking ceremony in Mesa. SDI’s parent company, Daicel Corporation acquired 19.6 acres adjacent to its existing facility. The SDI Mesa facility makes automotive air bag initiators used in the production of air bags. Expanding operations to a second facility will create an additional 175 manufacturing careers in Maricopa County. The expansion is expected to be complete in early 2016.
Thank you to SDI and Daicel Corporation for your dedication and commitment to Mesa!
 Special Devices Inc (SDI) groundbreaking ceremony in Mesa
Greater
Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Board Retreat
The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce held a Board Retreat where I had the opportunity to give a brief update on Maricopa County’s involvement in the Phoenix Forward Initiative. Phoenix Forward is a cutting-edge regional economic development program that focuses on the creation of quality jobs, increasing business retention, and community expansion efforts. I look forward to continuing to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Commerce Authority in moving Phoenix Forward.
Maricopa County Service Awards Ceremony
 On February
11, 2015, Maricopa County hosted a Service Award Recognition Event to
celebrate the loyalty, commitment, and individual contributions of 56
employees with 30, 35, or 40 years of service to the citizens of
Maricopa County! As Winston Churchill once said “We make a living by
what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Churchill’s words say
something about the commitment of our Maricopa County employees, who
together gave more than 1,700 combined years of service to the County
and its citizens.
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County
Manager Tom Manos gave a special presentation to his longtime Chief of
Staff, Chris Piñuelas, who celebrated 30 years of service (pictured above with Supervisor Gallardo and myself).
Thank
you to each
and every one of these employees. Employees are the backbone of any
business and these long-dedicated employees deserve to be recognized!
The Environmental Services Department opens a new regional office
 I had the opportunity to tour the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department Eastern Regional Office located at 106 East Baseline Road in Mesa. This is an ideal location that is readily accessible to Maricopa County’s many eastern residents.
On March 10, I had the privilege to speak to the employees of the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department during a staff meeting where many hardworking employees were honored. These employees protect the health of our county residents to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Someone once told me, “Life is about progress not perfection.” I believe we are striving for progress and employees such as these are working together to make Maricopa County the best in class. These employees represent some of the shining stars in Maricopa County. Thank you!
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District 2 and 3 Flood Control Tour
 Supervisor Kunasek and I visited a section of the Pinnacle Peak West study area and the Cave Buttes/Cave Creek Dams. We discussed flooding hazards, flood risk reduction measures, and potential economic and other benefits that can be attained from Maricopa County flood control studies and projects.
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