A commercial aimed at bolstering recruitment efforts for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office took top honors last week at the 2008 City, County, Communications & Marketing Association's (3CMA) Annual Savvy Awards competition. The 30-second commercial was produced by staff at the Yuma County Government Channel, YUMA 77.

Congress to Consider Additional Funding for AHCCCS

Though the upcoming election has taken center stage, Congress is planning to move forward with another economic stimulus package that could benefit Arizona's counties.  Congress is expected to return to Washington the week of November 17th to discuss two similar proposals being offered by the Democratic leadership in both the House and the Senate.  The proposals, which could include between $150 and $300 billion, call for more direct relief to states and individuals facing their own fiscal crisis. 

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports that they are ready to launch their photo enforcement ticket program to a second group of Arizona counties soon.  On November 1, county justice courts in Cochise, La Paz, Navajo, Pima and Yavapai counties will be ready to process the statewide tickets stemming from DPS units that are deployed in their counties.  These counties will join courts in Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Mohave and Pinal counties, which were a part of the Phase I roll-out in late September.

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) held a workshop on Wednesday for local building officials on green building codes and programs throughout the state. Representatives from counties, cities, tribal groups, homebuilders, and green consulting organizations met at ASU to discuss the latest trends in green building.  ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability co-sponsored the forum.

Hosted by Arizona SWEEP representatives Jeff Schlegel and Beth Nelson, the workshop began with a presentation from ASU about the history of building codes.  ASU Professor of Architecture Harvey Bryan explained that building codes implemented nationally since the 1970's have failed to result in significant energy savings, going beyond those codes and using local groups and governments to encourage efficient building was essential.  He envisions a system in the U.S. that models the building codes in the United Kingdom and other places in the European Union.  Such a system would charge a fee for any home which is not energy efficient enough, as part of a carbon emissions cap and trade system.

Eric Mikela, an expert on green building codes from the Mikela Group, presented on developments in residential and commercial building efficiencies.  He offered an update on the types of steps that local communities across the nation are taking to encourage buildings that are energy efficient, livable and comfortable, and also use water, wood, and other resources efficiently.  He discussed the importance of educating residents on energy efficiency, "because the best built home in the world isn't efficient with the windows open."

Mikela also offered tips for communities hoping to begin a green building program to encourage residents to go beyond existing building codes.  He stressed the importance of including stakeholders from the beginning, offering incentives such as shorter plan reviews for participating in the program.  Representatives from Pima County and the City of Scottsdale also presented information on their local green building programs.