Leadership crucial in fastest-growing county
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors recently appointed Jack Sellers to represent District 1 — replacing Denny Barney who stepped down to take the helm of East Valley Partnership. Having known Jack for many years, I can tell you he is a tireless champion for transportation and economic development. Not only do I applaud his appointment, I also find serendipity in its timing — exactly five years and one day following my appointment of Sellers to the state transportation board.
Sellers’ recent appointment causes me to reflect on my own time on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, representing the West Valley from 1996 to 2002. Over the years, I have come to realize that few people understand exactly what county governments and supervisors do.
The short answer is — a lot. County governments are critically important to the way our state operates and the way we serve the people of Arizona. They are involved in issues ranging from public safety and the justice system to transportation planning and conductions of elections. They are also involved in permitting and planning processes such as air quality, environmental services, flood control, and so much more. Maricopa County, for example, also manages one of the largest regional parks systems in the nation and offers a variety of resources for our brave veterans.
As for the supervisors themselves, the County Supervisors Association of Arizona provides an excellent definition: “County supervisors provide regional leadership over critical policy areas, including policies necessary to ensure safe communities, protect public health, promote economic development, and plan and manage land use for sustainable development.”
When I first arrived at Maricopa County, I encountered a local government bogged down so deep in debt that it had utilized $165 million in short-term borrowing just to meet cash flow. Working with Supervisor Andy Kunasek and others, we fought hard for fiscally conservative government.
At the end of my tenure in 2002, Maricopa County was in one of the strongest financial positions of any county in the nation. Governing Magazine proclaimed the county as “one of the two best managed large counties in the nation.” The financial turnaround remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
County leaders since have done a tremendous job of maintaining that commitment to consistent, fiscally responsible government. Their work on our quality of life has made Maricopa County the fastest-growing county in the United States. The board should be applauded, and I believe that newly minted Supervisor Sellers will fit right in.
He joins at a time when his skill set will be critically important, especially in the realm of transportation. As we move toward the expiration of Proposition 400 — Maricopa County’s half-cent sales tax dedicated to infrastructure, his service on the state transportation board and his knowledge of the issues will be essential. His wisdom and experience will also be helpful as the county investigates its recorder’s recent electoral issues and prepares for what may be the largest voter turnout in Arizona history in 2020.
From the local city council and the county board of supervisors to the state Legislature and the office of governor, everyone does their part to make Arizona an amazing place to live.