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CSA Weekly Update (1.09.2026)

  • kaytlink
  • Jan 9
  • 6 min read

In the January 9th, 2026, edition of the CSA Weekly Update:

Welcome Angel Gutierrez: CSA's 2026 Spring Intern!

Hi everyone! I'm Angel Gutierrez, the new CSA Spring 2026 intern (woohooo)! I am currently a senior at Arizona State University, triple majoring in Business Law, Public Policy and Service, and Global Politics. Before coming to CSA, I interned at the Arizona Department of Administration as a Procurement Specialist Intern. I am super passionate about young people getting involved in policy, that is why I am very excited about this new step in my journey! Some fun facts about me are that I love coffee, photography, and traveling (preferably all three at once). I look forward to working with everyone!

County Storytellers: New Podcast Episode and Sharing Your Stories!

Creatures of Statute: From Statehouse to Supervisor with Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee

Please enjoy the latest episode of Creatures of Statute: From Statehouse to Supervisor with Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee! Supervisor Brophy McGee joins CSA staff to talk about her journey from the statehouse to supervisor, the complexities of county government, and the importance of building strong relationships between the state and the counties.



Introducing - Inside Pima County with Rex Scott: Pima Early Education Program (PEEPs) - Pima County's Investment in our Future 

This week, we are highlighting a podcast produced by Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott! Supervisor Scott’s podcast Inside Pima County with Rex Scott highlights the behind-the-scenes of county government and introduces listeners to county professional staff who oversee county operations on a day-to-day basis. Be sure and subscribe so you can catch future episodes! Please find the most recent episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott: Pima Early Education Program (PEEPs) - Pima County's Investment in our Future linked below. Congratulations Supervisor Scott on an excellent podcast!



Road to Session: What to Expect

The 57th Arizona State Legislature, 2nd Regular Session begins on Monday, January 12th. This is the last session in the two-session cycle before the entire Legislative Branch is up for reelection. This election cycle will also include the offices of the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and School Superintendent.


The session will kick off on Opening Day with Governor Hobbs’ 4th State of the State address, where she will outline her priorities for the state. Supervisors from across the state will be joining the festivities both in the gallery and as special guests of various legislators, demonstrating the importance of the state-county partnership in legislative decision making. On Friday, January 16th, both the Executive Budget and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee's Budget Baseline will be released, outlining the budgetary context legislators will be using to inform their decisions this session.


On Tuesday, January 13th the first committees of the session will be meeting, starting with Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, Senate Natural Resources, House Commerce, House Education, and the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees. Interestingly, on Wednesday there will be a Joint Committee on Ways and Means/Finance to consider implementing full conformity with federal tax changes. The Association will post a weekly update of the committees meeting and any bills of note as the session speeds up.


Important Dates: Understanding the Session Timeline

The Arizona Legislature is what’s known as a part-time legislature, meaning they are not supposed to meet in session for more than 100 days. To meet this limited timeframe, various deadlines are outlined every year to keep the legislative session on track for the 100-day deadline. While recent sessions have exceeded the 100-day deadline, the deadlines for bill management across chambers have remained. Please find the 2026 legislative timeline linked here, as well as depicted below.


County Priorities Updates: Where Are CSA's Bills?

The Association has been busy on behalf of the county supervisors to put forward the collective county agenda at the Arizona state legislature. You can find additional information on CSA’s priorities on our advocacy page (linked here) as well as below:


Budget:

  • Ensuring the state provides $10.4 million on an ongoing basis to fund salary adjustments for its probation officers.

  • Protect taxpayer investments in public safety pensions.

  • Recapitalize the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund at an “appropriate and sustainable” level.


Legislative:



Probation Funding: How Did We Get Here?

Probation officers play an important role in Arizona's criminal justice system, supervising individuals in the community and helping reduce prison populations. According to data from the Arizona Administration Office of the Courts, probation has decreased revocations to prison by 42% from FY08 to FY23, demonstrating both public safety value and efficient use of taxpayer resources.


For most Arizona counties, probation is a jointly-funded function of the state's superior court, with the state primarily funding officers who directly supervise individuals on probation. Since FY 2022, the state has met its obligations through one-time funding sources, but an ongoing funding gap of approximately $10 million remains for salary commitments already extended to officers.


CSA urges state lawmakers to establish ongoing funding for probation officer salaries in FY 2027, providing certainty for this essential public safety function without shifting additional burden to the county taxpayer.


Explore the History: Use the interactive timeline below to see how probation funding has evolved since the 1980s.


For more information, read CSA's Resolution 3-25 or check out the Courts & Criminal Justice section of the CSA website.

Committee Meetings: January 13-14, 2026

Please find the full calendar of committees linked here as well as all live proceedings linked here. Committees subject to change.

Lifelong Learning: Upcoming NACo Webinars

Modern Networks, Smarter Budgets: A County Leader's Perspective

Tuesday, January 13, 2026; 2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. ET


Join us for a fireside chat with Orleans County, NY, as they share how their team successfully transitioned from a traditional capital expense (CapEx) model to an operational expense (OpEx) model for network services.


When faced with rising maintenance costs and an expiring carrier contract, the county seized the opportunity to modernize its network and lock in predictable monthly costs. By bundling connectivity services with unified communications, they achieved immediate savings of over $124,000, eliminated recurring charges such as long-distance fees and third-party integration costs, and gained access to operational upgrades like call analytics and auto-attendants.


This shift not only strengthened financial planning through fixed monthly expenses but also freed up IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives.


Key takeaways:

  • Elimination of Ongoing Charges – Remove additional fees by modernizing services

  • Simplified Service Management – Bundle services to streamline billing and vendor relationships

  • Predictable Budgeting – Enable accurate long-term financial planning without surprise expenses

  • Operational Efficiency Gains – Enhanced tools improve resident service and free up IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives

  • Significant Savings – Leverage promotions and avoid large capital expenditures


To register, click here.

Advocacy 101 for Counties: Maximizing Your Impact During the NACo Legislative Conference

Thursday, January 22, 2026; 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET


Heading to Washington, D.C. for the NACo Legislative Conference? This webinar provides a practical introduction to lobbying tailored specifically for county leaders. Attendees will learn how to prepare for Hill meetings, effectively advocate for NACo priorities, and translate county experiences into clear federal policy asks—ensuring every meeting counts while you’re in town.


To register, click here.

What to Know Before You Go to NACo’s Legislative Conference

Thursday, January 29, 2026; 3 p.m - 4 p.m.


If this is your first time attending NACo’s Legislative Conference, this webinar is for you! Join NACo’s Membership Chair and staff to learn ways to maximize your experience at the NACo Legislative Conference. This conference is the premier opportunity for county leaders to exchange cutting-edge practices, engage with members of Congress, and collaborate on policy solutions. You’ll leave this brief webinar prepared to navigate the conference schedule and participate in sessions, including policy meetings, a federal agency expo, and summits on pressing topics.


Speaker: Renee Couch, Membership Chair


To register, click here.



 
 
 

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