GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Counties deliver a wide range of services, from maintaining roads and bridges to protecting public health and safety. The Board of Supervisors oversees county budgets, tax rates, and the day-to-day management of functions such as infrastructure, public health, emergency response, elections, parks, planning and zoning, and more. Explore more about the managerial and ministerial duties of counties below.
Minor Land Divisions
Arizona's Minor Land Division statutes allow landowners to divide property into five or fewer lots with limited county oversight. While intended to provide a streamlined process for smaller land divisions, repeated use of the statute can result in the development of residential communities outside of traditional subdivision regulations.
These communities are often created through successive lot splits that avoid the infrastructure, planning, and review requirements applicable to larger subdivisions, sometimes leaving residents to face significant challenges related to roads, utilities, drainage, and other essential services after purchasing their property.
Explore our primer, legislative history, and road maintenance explainer to better understand how minor land divisions operate in unincorporated communities.
Procurement Model Study
Local governments in Arizona manage procurement for everything from public safety to infrastructure, shaping how communities receive essential services.
This report, conducted by a research team at Arizona State University and generously funded by the Arizona Board of Regents, examines current procurement practices, highlights challenges such as staffing and vendor gaps, and offers actionable strategies to improve efficiency, transparency, and value for taxpayers. It also introduces tools like ROI analysis to help governments make informed, cost-effective decisions.
Central Services Survey
County governments are made up of elected offices that may either use shared services—such as human resources (HR), information technology (IT), and finance—or manage these functions independently. Different approaches to consolidation bring unique benefits and challenges, shaping how counties organize and deliver administrative services.
