Happy Birthday USA: this July 4^th there are 234 candles on that really BIG cake!  On behalf of myself, my family, and, I’m confident, my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, here’s a heartfelt “Thank You!” to all those Americans who have or are serving in our armed forces in order to protect and preserve our democratic form of government with all the privileges we enjoy today.  I want to especially take this time to salute not only the men and women who are serving today – particularly those warriors in harm’s way in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world – but their families as well.  Theirs is often the hardest battle and they deserve not only our gratitude for their sacrifices but our support during these long, lonely months of separation.

On June 30^th, the Board of Supervisors adopted the final FY 2011 budget.  The Pinal County Budget is balanced based on the Board’s vision and strategic planning parameters.  The planning parameters for the year are:  Regional Leadership, Growth, Public Safety, Public Health, Transportation, Jobs & Economic Development, Accountability and Financial Responsibility.

The final budget is divided into five major components: General Fund, Special Revenue, Enterprise, Debt Service and Capital Projects.  The General Fund budget finances a significant portion of the day-to-day provisions of County services and totals $196,943,665.  The majority (70%) of those functions are mandated services.  The General Fund budget includes a Financial Stability Reserve that reflects 15% of general fund operating expenditures.  The Financial Stability Reserve is used to mitigate current, future risks (e.g., revenue shortfalls and unanticipated expenditures) and exposure to one-time and ongoing cost shifts from the State.

The FY 2010-2011 Pinal County Budget includes $7.1M in cost shifts, program increases and revenue sweeps from the State of Arizona.  In November, Arizona voters will be asked to approve the use of early childhood development and land preservation funding to close the State’s structural deficit.   If the voters do not approve the measure, we expect additional cost shifts from the State. The proposed primary property tax rate is $3.9999 per $100 of assessed valuation.  The primary rate consists of mandatory cost shifts from the State of Arizona, general government and funding for the Mary C. O’Brien School.  The rate reflects an increase $0.64 from the prior year – with approximately $0.28 of the increase is due to state cost shifts.

In answer to the question of where the property tax dollars are spent, 93% of property tax revenues will be used to fund Courts and Public Safety.  The remaining 7% will be used to fund cost shifts from the State of Arizona.  Despite statements to the contrary, the Board made some $500,000 in program and service cuts, and is using $5M from the Financial Stability Reserve or “Rainy Day” fund to balance this year’s budget.

The Board also took time during its June 30^th meeting to recognize and honor Maricopa middle school student Austin Pearce for his incredible commitment and contributions to his Maricopa and Pinal County community.  If you don’t already know, this seventh grader organized several events to raise both funds and food for the less fortunate in the Maricopa area: in addition to doing used book sales and “shopping cart derbies” over a four year period he raised more than $50,000 for food items that were distributed through F.O.R. Maricopa’s food bank.  At a national level, Austin was recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards organization, given a $5,000 personal award and another $5,000 grant was given to F.O.R. Maricopa on his behalf.  We are blessed and very fortunate to have young people such as Austin in our midst!

In closing, I’d like to call attention to a quiet but heart-warming event that took place on June 22^nd in a Casa Grande neighborhood: a ribbon cutting ceremony for a newly remodeled home.  Not a big deal?  I beg to differ.  This extensive remodel was the result of a new partnership between the USDA/Rural Development, Congresswoman Kirkpatrick’s office, and the City of Casa Grande’ Neighborhood Revitalization Office under the able hand of Rosa Bruce.  The collaboration allowed the city to buy an abandoned house, renovate and expand it, and then turn it over to a deserving person who assumes a mortgage.

Barbara, a long term employee of a local business, was able to move her family of six into the home after renting for the last six years.  Everyone in her family and workplace pitched in to paint, clean, put in some landscaping, and generally help to spruce up the home.  The tears of joy were abundant – all the way around.

David Snider, Supervisor

Pinal County District 3