|
Hello colleagues,
I’ve spent some time reflecting on the past year, and I almost forgot how much has happened!
In January, we unveiled the first-ever unified county brand to create greater understanding and awareness of who we are and what we do. Now, that new, modern identity is everywhere from uniforms and vehicles to flyers and health insurance cards.
February brought another first—the first-ever Maricopa County Career Fair and Community Expo. I was so proud to see appointed departments and elected offices come together at Chase Field on a single day to engage with thousands of job seekers, some of whom were hired right on the spot.
This year, we got a chance to spend more time in person as a county family. The Bike to Work event returned for the first time since the pandemic, we gathered for volunteer events and employee walks, and Supervisor Gallardo and the District 5 team hosted well-attended employee unity luncheons.
The Board of Supervisors continued to prioritize your wellbeing and work/life balance with another round of pay-for-performance raises, expanded benefits including discounted child care, physical security enhancements, and the promise of an employee-exclusive, affordable on-site childcare center. Investing in you is one of my top priorities. I’m grateful to work for an elected board that shares that value. And I want to say special thanks to Chairman Hickman for his leadership over the past year.
In 2023, we said goodbye and happy retirement to long-time county manager Joy Rich and many other valued public servants. But those exits have allowed others to shine, as we promoted leaders into new roles and shifted our organizational structure to group departments by function. Governments get a bad rap for being stuck in the past. Not us. We’re always evolving. I appreciate how all of you have rolled with the changes.
I’m excited for a new year of changes, challenges, and opportunities. Keep working hard and putting residents first. Remember that we are stronger together. And be on the lookout in January for an opportunity to provide direct feedback to the county leadership team about your experience as a county employee. We want to keep getting better—for our residents and for each other.
Thank you for all you do for Maricopa County. I hope you have a memorable and enjoyable holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Jen
|
–
