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December 2025 - Lee en español
A Big Gracias!
Supervisor Allen and the District 3 staff, surrounded by native cactus and succulents, at Pima Prickly Park, located at 3500 W. River Road.
Hello District 3,
As we move into the holiday season, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who has worked with us during this first year in office.
Thank you to all the constituents who have reached out and met with us during office hours throughout District 3. We hear you, we care about your concerns and worries, and we value the ideas you share to help build solutions to the challenges our community faces.
Thank you as well to everyone at nonprofits across Southern Arizona—especially those who provide supportive services to our district, from housing to immigration rights, from environmental protection to food security.
We are also grateful to the Pima County employees across all offices and departments who contribute every day to a stronger community. Thank you for working hand in hand with the District 3 team.
As we prepare for the new year, we look forward to strengthening our relationships with every member of our community, every organization, and our local government partners.
Below, we share takeaways from each member of our staff, including lessons learned, accomplishments, and reflections from an intense first year of service to District 3.
We wish you a joyful holiday season!
¡Muchas gracias!
🌟 Supervisor Jennifer Allen
This year flew by! When I started in this role a mere 12 months ago, I had a long list of things to tackle that we’d compiled from talking with D3 residents at their doors and at community events. I learned this year to recalibrate my expectation of what we can drive forward versus what lands in our lap (for better or worse!). This year was dominated by Project Blue which led to our office heading the effort to reform the use of non-disclosure agreements and initiate a process for environmental impacts reviews for large water/energy users, along with significant zoning reforms. Meanwhile, we've been working with community groups to oppose a proposed immigrant detention center in Marana, we've opposed threats to Ironwood Forest National Monument coming from the federal government, we've had to marshal resources to continue senior meal programs, as well as opportunities to provide support to nonprofits in Ajo, Arivaca, Three Points, Picture Rocks, Flowing Wells, and more, all of whom have taken major hits in funding from the Trump administration. But responding to the moment isn't all bad. I've also had the opportunity to support important legislation offered by my colleagues on the Board, such as District 2's proposal to fund a ten-year commitment for affordable housing, District 5's proposal to cover funding shortfalls for Pima Early Education Program Scholarships (PEEPs), and District 1's reform to the fireworks permitting process. I can’t wait to see what amazing things we can do together in 2026!
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🌟 Chief of Staff CJ Boyd
This year has been full of challenges. Between federal cuts to grant funding that the County has depended on for decades and extractive and exploitative corporations like Beale Infrastructure and Management & Training Corporation trying to force their way into our community despite overwhelming community opposition, we've had a lot of deal with. I want to send a note of gratitude to all those who advocated for our community loudly, persistently, and with love. The No Desert Data Center Coalition, Pima Resists ICE (PRICE), Friends of Ironwood Forest were just a few of the most vocal and organized groups we had the pleasure of working with to ensure that the voice of the people was reflected in everything our office did this year. I personally had the pleasure of getting to know and working with rural nonprofits like Arivaca Human Resource and Green Valley Assistance to help meet the needs of their most vulnerable community members. Add to that countless individuals who took the time to write to the Board, or to our office specifically, or come to Call to the Public, and it was a year full of hearing from constituents who want to make Pima County a better, more equitable place to call home, while preserving the natural beauty and wonder of
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🌟 Senior Aide Bonnie Bazata
I came to District 3 with almost 12 years of working for Pima County and so I thought I knew a fair bit about County operations – but this year has been an amazing year of discovering so much more! From Flood Control to PACC to Development Services (and many other departments), I’ve been inspired by staff’s expertise and commitment to the highest standard of public service as we meet on policy issues and to solve constituent problems.
It has also been a privilege to work with constituents throughout District 3 who are committed to protecting and improving their communities. Three examples stand out: 1) Supporting residents in Picture Rocks who are leading efforts to address concerns about an airstrip; 2) Working with Marana residents to put a spotlight on the possible ICE detention center at a shuttered prison, sparking hundreds of people getting involved, and 3) Attending Tohono O’odham District Council meetings and seeing the leadership of Council members to address community concerns while exploring ways to collaborate with District 3.
Finally, as the manager and lead author of the Prosperity Initiative, I’m excited to work in 2026 with Supervisor Allen to forward these evidence-based policies to reduce regional poverty. And of course, it is joy to work with the dedicated and creative District 3 team!
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🌟 Senior Aide Joshua Laughlin
Over the last year, I’ve been so grateful for the opportunity to connect with constituents all across the district while learning about the vast array of resources, services, and programs offered by Pima County. Coming from a background in voter outreach, it’s a great privilege to now be working on the government side and helping folks from midtown Tucson out to Ajo with issues big and small. Thanks for the grace and understanding as we got up to speed and looking forward to year two!
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🌟 Office and Communications Manager Claudia Bungard
Every day, I arrive at the office excited for new opportunities to learn and to serve District 3 constituents. I’m thankful for every person who connects with our office and happy to see our community continue to grow. Thank you for reading this newsletter, following us on social media, and sharing your feedback. Communicating with you is fundamental to our work, and we truly appreciate your engagement. We will continue using our platforms not only to highlight what our office does, but also to spotlight the amazing people, businesses, and organizations in our district. So please stay in touch! Follow us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
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Oʼodham Ñiʼokĭ Ki - O'odham Language Center at Tohono O'odham Community College
From rigth to left: Evan Thomas, Special Assistant to the President of the Tohono O'odham Community College; Frances Benavides, Program Director, O'odham Ñi'okĭ Ki; Supervisor Jen Allen; Lynn Liston, multimedia coordinator, and Jenny Narcho, program coordinator.
Lynn Liston is a multimedia coordinator at the Oʼodham Ñiʼokĭ Ki (O’odham Language Center) at Tohono O'odham Kekel Ha-Maṣcamakuḍ (Tohono O’odham Community College or TOCC), creating curriculum materials with her beautiful artwork. “When I was growing up, I didn’t see myself or my culture in the books I was reading.” Now she is changing that.
Along with the Center’s Project Director Frances Benavidez and program coordinator Jenny Narcho, Lynn is supporting three language immersion preschool programs, as well as a teacher training program. They also support the children’s parents, demonstrating how to use the language tools from the classroom so that O’odham can be used at home as well.
Today, there are 167 indigenous languages in use, and nearly all are in decline. Researchers estimate that by 2050, only 20 will remain. The Tohono O’odham Nation looked at the data reflecting the dwindling number of language speakers and launched the new language center to change this trajectory.
In addition to the preschool program, the team also supports adult language learners through a mentoring program, a radio show, and creative community programming that makes the O’odham language more visible, spoken, and heard, such as a traveling language carnival and a traveling comedy show.
Supervisor Allen and the District 3 staff were given an overview of the program on December 8 and left so impressed—and with a few O’odham words. Already, the team has built new curriculum materials, some with QR codes so you can hear correct pronunciation, a language app (in production), and specialized O’odham glossaries tailored to specific fields. Sometimes, there is no way to translate an English word. Take “crepe paper” for example, which then becomes “paper used to make flowers.”
The Ñiʼokĭ Ki staff shared the importance and power of learning the correct names for things. Supervisor Allen wants to find ways Pima County can support this effort so we discussed how we can expand their program in Pima County libraries. She is also starting conversations on how we could incorporate the original O’odham name for all the places in Pima County that were renamed over time like Kitt Peak or Sells. Did you know the original name for Sells is Komckud E-wa'osidk which means “Where the turtle got stuck"?
“The efforts of the language center team means that the O’odham language will not just survive, but thrive for future generations,” said Supervisor Allen. “And we can all take an interest in this important work,” For example, how about learning the O’odham language yourself? Check out the offerings at the TOCC.
Community Resources
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Annual Grease Collection Event: Pima County will be out collecting grease from the public at six locations around the county on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 am to 1 pm. Store your used grease in an airtight container and drop it off at annual grease collection event. Learn more.
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Pima County launched new climate action website: Visit the Pima CAN website, a hub where you can find information and resources to learn more about greenhouse gases and hot topics that are affecting the Pima County community.
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Save money at time of purchase and on monthly utility bills: The Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency, through its Efficiency Arizona program, offers point-of-purchase rebates for installing qualifying energy-efficient appliances and upgrades in low-income and historically underserved households. A single eligible household may receive up to a total of $14,000 in rebate dollars through their Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (HEAR).
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Reduce your utility services statement. Through Pima County Wastewater Reclamation, you could qualify for a 25%, 50%, or 75% reduction to the wastewater portion of your utility services statement. To be eligible, you must be a residential sewer customer, have a sewer bill in your name, and meet income requirements. To determine your income eligibility, call (520) 791-5443 or visit: https://shorturl.at/lHKbR
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Tucson Water offers low-income conservation programs for residents and mobile homeowners, including free toilet replacements and emergency plumbing repairs, discounted clothes washers, grants and loans for rainwater and gray water systems. For more information, follow this link, email conservation@tucsonaz.gov or call (520) 791-433
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Tugo Bike Share: Whether it’s picking up groceries, running errands, riding to work, or heading to an appointment, a bike is your easy, fast, and eco-friendly ride to get the job done. Learn about discount for members of SNAP, Medicaid, and SunTran Economy Fareplan. Visit: https://tugobikeshare.com/
Upcoming Events
Winterhaven Festival of Ligths
The Festival takes place in the historic Winterhaven Neighborhood, located near Country Club Rd & Fort Lowell Rd in central Tucson, AZ. It runs nightly from December 13–27, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Admission is free, but a suggested donation is encouraged to support the Community Food Bank and festival infrastructure. More information: https://winterhavenfestival.org/
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JTED Program Showcase
Join the Pima JTED Program Showcase 2026 on Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at JTED @ The Bridges, Tucson. Explore 30+ Career & Technical Education programs, see hands-on demonstrations, and learn how students can earn industry certifications and state licenses in fields like Cybersecurity, Culinary Arts, Aviation, and more.
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*Let us know about upcoming community events! Please e-mail us at district3@pima.gov.
Upcoming Office Hours
Meet and Adopt a Pet!
If you're interested in fostering or adopting a pet, contact Pima Animal Care Center at PACC.AdoptAFoster@pima.gov or call to 520-724-5900.
Kris Kringle
ID # A887403 - Despite the vibes he's giving in this photo, Kris Kringle is a chubby, cuddly gentleman with the coziest presence you could ask for. Neutered male, brown tabby and white Domestic Shorthair. Weight: approximately 13.49 lbs. Age: about 5 years old. Sensitive by nature and full of gentle charm, he’s the kind of cat who doesn’t just want affection — he’ll try to climb right into your arms like he’s returning to his favorite place in the world. Wanna meet him?
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Albert
ID # A884229 - Albert recently enjoyed a day trip away from the shelter and his new friend described him as a goofy and chill lovebug! Neutered male, black and white. Weight: approximately 65.80 lbs. Age: about 4 years old.
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