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Leadership ♦ Research ♦ Advocacy ♦ Newsletter ♦ Speakers ♦ Counties ♦ Alliances ♦ Calendar ♦ Contact
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In the January 30, 2009 CSA Legislative Recap:
Supervisor J.R. DeSpain Honors Hashknife Pony Express Riders By Laurie Stradling, Navajo County  Navajo County Supervisor J.R. DeSpain unveiled a temporary highway sign marking the starting point of the Hashknife Pony Express Route at the Holbrook Post Office on January 27, 2009. The sign marking the Route is a result of legislation sponsored by the late Senator Jake Flake designating portions of State Routes 377, 277, 260 and 87 as the official route used by the Posse riders."We're very proud to have done this," said Supervisor DeSpain. "Isn't this sign something?" Hashknife Posse Captain Mark Reynolds thanked Supervisor DeSpain and the late Senator Flake for their involvement in the process. "Jake Flake really worked hard to get this pushed through," he said. "I didn't believe we could make this happen so quickly, but we partnered with the city and county on this, and they helped make it happen."  The Hashknife Pony Express began their 51st annual ride at 8:00 a.m. on January 28, 2009, starting at the Holbrook Post Office. Posse member Steve Weiss from Show Low and his horse Diamond passed a packet of mail to posse member Wayne Ramey right beside the Hashknife Pony Express sign on State Route 377. "Having that sign there is awesome," Weiss said. "That's a big tribute to the Pony Express right there." Top La Paz County Board Meets with Local Leaders Members from the La Paz County Board of Supervisors met with leaders from across the region in Parker on January 20. Representatives from the county, the towns of Parker and Quartzsite, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes came together for an informal meeting to exchange ideas. Supervisor Sandy Pierce (District 1) said that she was "thrilled" to see the meeting take place, and that the county board and tribal councils need to work together, since the groups have new members. Parker Mayor Karen Bonds told the group that with new leadership in many key positions it was a "new beginning" for the region. The La Paz County board has three newly elected supervisors. Top State Budget Update: An End in Sight?  State lawmakers continued negotiations on a fix for the $1.6 billion FY09 budget deficit this week, and it appeared that a plan could emerge by Friday afternoon. Budget bills appeared late Wednesday night and were heard in Appropriations committees in both chambers on Thursday, as lawmakers took testimony from those affected by the cuts. As of Friday morning, legislators tentatively planned to vote on bills by the end of the week. Legislative leadership has been pushing for a solution to the FY09 budget problem by February 1 in order to keep the climbing deficit in check. As details of the budget plan emerged, it became clear the state would maintain its commitment to counties through Proposition 204 hold harmless funding, although other provisions imposing costs on counties remained. Once a final package is passed, CSA will produce a budget analysis for county managers and supervisors. Thanks to the county supervisors and managers who helped mobilize a targeted effort to reduce county impacts in the budget, and special thanks to the following legislators for standing up for county interests and county constituents:
 The Yavapai County State Centennial Committee met for the first time in Prescott on Monday to plan activities for the county to participate in the state of Arizona's 100-year anniversary in 2012.
The committee, made up of local historians, researchers, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, was appointed by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. Committee Coordinator Bev Staddon told the committee that a county website about the centennial, scheduled to debut in July at www.yavapai100az.com.
Committee members also suggested exhibitions of historical artifacts, tours of local ranches, or a trail ride as other ways to celebrate the centennial.
The committee will meet again on February 23. For more information on Arizona's centennial, visit www.azcentennial.gov.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is now accepting nominations for the 2009 County Leadership Institute (CLI). The CLI will be held on May 26-30 in New York City, in conjunction with New York University's Robert F. Wager Graduate School of Public Service.
Candidates must be elected county officials in NACo member counties, and only one candidate will be enrolled from each state. Preference is given to candidates with 2 to 6 years of experience and a demonstrated interest in and potential for improving the quality of life in their counties through collaboration with state and national organizations. The County Leadership Institute is an intensive 3-day residential program offered annually by invitation to up to 30 emerging county leaders across the country. Designed to tap into the passion for making a difference, the Institute enhances the capacity of county officials to identify and implement solutions that engage a broad network of interests, crossing boundaries of traditionally separate sectors and jurisdictions.
The cost to the individual is a $1500 registration fee plus travel to and from
To submit your name for consideration to participate in the CLI, contact Penny Adams at CSA. The deadline to submit your name is February 6, 2009.
Much of the business this week at the legislature focused on work on the FY09 budget. The Senate did not hear bills, and all House committees after Tuesday were canceled.
Last week, the legislature heard the following county related bills:
HB 2015 county retiree health insurance (Konopnicki) passed 8-0 in House Natural Resources and Rural Affairs.
HB 2285 fire district assistance tax; mergers (Yarbrough) was held in House Ways and Means.
HB 2267 municipalities; fire sprinklers; codes (Crump) passed 6-1-1 in House Government.
HB 2061 retirement; CORP; probation officers; customary employment (Konopnicki) was held in House Public Employees, Retirement, and Entitlement Reform.
The legislature will consider the following proposals with county impact next week. Click here to watch the committee hearings live, or click here to view archived video of committees. (Agendas are subject to change; visit the legislative calendar for updates on daily calendars.)
HB 2285 fire district assistance tax; mergers (Yarbrough) and
HB 2365 county board of equalization; petitions (Murphy) will be heard in House Ways and Means on Monday, Feb. 2, at 2:00 p.m. in House Room 5.
HB 2046 used tire disposal; fire code (Konopnicki) and
HB 2202 county stormwater management; reference correction (Barnes) will be heard in House Environment on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 2:00 p.m. in House Room 5.
HB 2061 retirement; CORP; probation officers; customary employment (Konopnicki) will be heard in House Public Employees, Retirement and Entitlement Reform on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 2:00 p.m. in House Room 3.
HB 2253 publication of notices; websites (Jones) and
HB 2268 county & municipal budgets (Crump) will be heard in House Government on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 2:00 p.m. in House Room 4.
HB 2027 weapons, peace officers; posse; reserves (Kavanagh) will be heard in House Military Affair and Public Safety on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 9:00 a.m. in House Room 3.
HB 2240 rule making; state agencies; moratorium and
HB 2259 local development fees; procedures will be heard in House Commerce on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 9:00 a.m. in House Room 5.
HB 2247 home sales; water supply disclosure (Ableser) and
HB 2336 community facilities districts, renewable energy (Mason) will be heard in House Water and Energy on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 9:00 a.m. in House Room 5.
Visit the CSA Calendar of Events at www.countysupervisors.org/calendar.
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County Supervisors Association of Arizona
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