Maricopa County Gets Rid of Overdue Fines at its Public Libraries

PHOENIX, Ariz. – May 22, 2019 – Maricopa County is welcoming thousands of customers back to its public libraries. The Board of Supervisors has voted to eliminate overdue fines – and to waive existing overdue fines &a...

Elections Work Group Presents Findings to Board of Supervisors

The Elections Work Group tasked with examining the structure, staffing, and technology of the Elections Department shared its findings with the Board of Supervisors today. To see the presentation and Work Group report, please visit our 2019 Elections Proj...

Board of Supervisors Approves Tentative FY 2020 Budget

With a new decade on the horizon, the nation’s fastest-growing county is making smart investments to further position itself as an attractive, long-term home for families and businesses.  Today, the Board of Supervisors approve...

Six Students Recognized for Stormwater Artwork

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors honored the winners of the 2019 Stormwater Pollution Awareness Poster Contest this week.

Stormwater runoff is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. In an effort to bring awareness to this pr...

Employee Eliminates Barriers to Connect with People, Receives Tom Manos Outstanding Service Award

Maricopa County employee Michele Castañeda-Martinez has received the 2019 Tom Manos Outstanding Service Award.

Each year, the award is given to an employee who lives up to the example set by the former county manager, Tom Manos. This pe...

Boards Appoints Kyrene Constable

PHOENIX – Today the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed a new constable for the Kyrene Justice Precinct. Ben Halloran was selected from a large pool of applicants for the position that was vacated by Kent Rini in February.

“T...

Maricopa County To Manage Additional 1,000+ Acres of Public Land

PHOENIX –The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed a lease agreement allowing the Parks and Recreation Department to enter into a Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) lease with the BLM Hassayampa F...

Donation Will Launch Pet Help Program

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is launching a new program thanks to a private donation.

The Board of Supervisors have accepted a $45,000 donation from Cathy Rinaldi, a longtime Animal Care and Control volunteer. This donation will help launch Mari...

Board Approves Public Safety Dock at Lake Pleasant

Phoenix – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved design and construction of a new dock and boathouses at Scorpion Bay Marina within Lake Pleasant Regional Park. This addition will be for the exclusive use of the Maricopa County Parks and Recrea...

Jack Sellers Appointed as District 1 Supervisor

Maricopa County has a new Supervisor representing parts of the East Valley. Jack Sellers was appointed today to represent District 1 by unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors.

“What an honor and privilege it is to be appointed to serve on thi...

Last Board Meeting for Supervisor Denny Barney

During his final official meeting as a Maricopa County supervisor, Denny Barney, District 1, expressed gratitude to his colleagues on the Board, county staff, and constituents, as well as family and close friends who attended his final board meet...

Working Group Created to Make Elections Recommendations

The Board of Supervisors directed the county manager to form a working group that may lead to substantial changes in the way elections are run in the fourth most populous county in the country.

The 2018 Primary and General Elections saw massive turnout and...

Bill Gates Elected Chairman of Board of Supervisors

January 9, 2019 – PHOENIX – Bill Gates, the newly-elected Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, says county government is making a difference on pressing regional issues such as water, environmental health, and growth a...

ASU Sustainability Grant Finalized

At a check presentation ceremony today, Maricopa County finalized a partnership with Arizona State University that will result in practical ways to reduce urban heat and improve air quality in our region.

In November, the Maricopa County Industrial Develo...

Office of the Medical Examiner Receives Full Accreditation

The premier professional organization for medical examiners is giving its highest endorsement to the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner (OME). OME has received full accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) for th...

Elves Donate to Shelter Pets

This week, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors accepted a donation of collars, toy, and treats from the East Side Elves valued at $7,371. 

The East Side Elves collected the items and made sure Maricopa County Animal Care and Control shelter p...

Board Canvasses Nov. 6 Election

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved the canvass of the November 6, 2018 General Election. Today’s canvass sends election results from Maricopa County to the Secretary of State’s office for review.

“I want to ...

Celebrating Maricopa Trail and Take A Hike Day

Maricopa County celebrated a Maricopa Trail milestone and Take A Hike Day with free entry to regional parks November 17.

“Phase 1 of the Maricopa Trail is now complete.  This is a huge achievement for our Parks Department and a cause wor...

Funding the Future: Maricopa County, ASU Combat Urban Heat

The Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) approved a grant to the ASU Foundation for a New American University for research to help reduce urban heat and improve air quality. The $2.99 million grant is for three years and will help get th...

External Report on 2018 Election Issues Released

BerryDunn, the consulting firm hired by Maricopa County to review Election Day processes and related issues, has released its capstone report. The purpose of BerryDunn's work was threefold: to ensure that the Recorder's Office is implementing the recommen...

Maricopa County Supports Healthy Giving Campaign

PHOENIX—Community leaders came together today to launch a campaign to show the generous people of Maricopa County how they can be part of long-term solutions for those experiencing homelessness.  The campaign builds on the vast network of goodwil...

Board of Supervisors Receives Status Update on November Election Plan

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors received a status update on the 2018 General Election today. County Recorder Adrian Fontes said his office was expecting record turnout for a midterm election, possibly a “threefold increase” com...

Help Identify Missing Persons

Maricopa County works all year long to identify missing persons and bring closure to families, but not every attempt leads to a connection.

“In the state of Arizona alone, we have 1700 unidentified, and a lot of those cases are cases where we don...

An Example of Service

The call came in at 7 pm on a Friday night.  Not just after work hours, but solidly into the weekend.  Ted McCreary, a Behavioral Health Case Manager, was calling his boss, Jeff Tourdot, about a Phoenix water customer who was in desperat...

Maricopa County Releases Interim Report on 2018 Primary Election Issues

READ THE INTERIM REPORT

VISIT THE PRIMARY ELECTION REVIEW WEBSITE

The Maricopa County Internal Audit Department has completed an interim report on issues surrounding the 2018 Primary Election. The purpose of this review, requested by the Maricopa County Boa...

County issues proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Maricopa County’s Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation today recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The county’s efforts create an opportunity for residents and Maricopa County’s more than 1...

Update to Animal Shelter Plans

Maricopa County has found a potential replacement for the East animal shelter at Rio Salado and Loop 101. Current plans call for a new facility to be built at the county-owned campus at Mesa Drive and Baseline Road. The new shelter would offer the same se...

Grant helps youth aging out of foster care

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority granted $100,000 to Arizona Friends of Foster Children’s Keys to Success program. Executive Council Charities contributed an additional $50,000.

The money will pay for career, education, and employment devel...

Board approves Primary Election results, money for outside review

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved the August 28, 2018 Primary Election results but has requested an internal audit and external review related to the planning and execution of the Primary Election and Election Day operations.  

The...

Board Declares September “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month”

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation this week aimed at saving lives.  The Board officially recognized September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death among adults in t...

Hepatitis C Screenings in Jails Improve Community Health

With the rise of intravenous drug misuse including opioids, the rates of Hepatitis C in the community have increased in recent years. The incarcerated population in Maricopa County jails is especially at risk. Until recently, inmates were only getting tes...

We are approaching 40 straight days of air pollution alerts!

Since July, we’ve had 38 straight days of air pollution alerts.

• The alerts are caused by:
  • A stricter federal ozone health standard
    • It dropped from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion in 2015
  • The sweltering hot & sunny days reacting with pollutant...

Community Kitchen Investment Will Help Underserved Populations

Maricopa County and St. Mary's Food Bank are teaming up to help the homeless, formerly incarcerated, and other low-income individuals gain job skills. On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Industrial Authority (IDA) presented a check to St. Mary’s f...

Guadalupe Library Program Helps Valley Youth

A free lunch and a cool place to read during the summer.  That’s what kids have been getting all summer at Maricopa County Library District’s Guadalupe Library.  The library partnered with St. Mary’s Food Ba...

Medical Examiner Provides Easier Access to Death Investigation Information

There's a new online tool that will allow the public to more easily find and access information from the Office of the Medical Examiner.  The “OME Case Status” search allows you to look up cases by case number or with a combination of name, date ...

Maricopa County Offers New "Valley View"

Maricopa County has launched "Valley View," a collection of high-definition cameras that provide real-time images of the county from the north, south, east, and west.  Positioned on the 10th floor of the County Administration Building i...

Maricopa County Inmates "Choose to Change"

Branden Tucker is finishing up his second stint behind bars and says if the Choose to Change Reentry Program had been available during his first stay, there never would have been a second.

“It’s mind blowing.  You think at 42 y...

Maricopa County FY 2019 Budget Approved

Board of Supervisors Approves Final FY 2019 Budget

Spending Decreases 1.7%; Tax Rate Remains Flat

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a final budget for fiscal year 2019 that decreases spending year-over-year without raising the ta...

LovePup Foundation Makes Donation to Fund Microchips in Dogs

Hundreds of stray animals come into Maricopa County Animal Care and Control every week and many of them are pets. Getting these lost family members back to their owners is a part of the mission at the department. To help in that effort the Board of Superv...

Maricopa County’s Travel Reduction Program Celebrates its 30th Year of Pollution Reduction

PHOENIX (May 2, 2019) -- Maricopa County’s Travel Reduction Program is celebrating its 30^th year in the Valley. Serving 796,658 employees and students throughout Maricopa County last year alone, the Travel Reduction Program has prevented 22.3 billion mile...

'Commit to One Day, Help Keep Ozone Away' Campaign Kicks Off

PHOENIX (April 16, 2019) – Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is announcing the start of its annual Ozone Campaign, encouraging county residents to help reduce the harmful pollutant during the spring and summer months.

Ground-level ozone forms ...

Mowing Down Pollution

PHOENIX (March 19, 2019) – Want to help keep our air clean and save money? The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD), in partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), is relaunching the Mowing Down Pollution P...

Jack Sellers Appointed as District 1 Supervisor

Maricopa County has a new Supervisor representing parts of the East Valley. Jack Sellers was appointed today to represent District 1 by unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors.

“What an honor and privilege it is to be appointed to serve on this outstand...

Gilbert, Arizona Regional Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

An intergovernmental agreement between the District and the Town allows Gilbert to build a park in the Chandler Heights Basin.  The District maintains ownership of the basin while the Town accepts full liability for public use and performs any ne...

April Update

The April update includes information on the: 

• FAA sets workshops on noisy flight path changes
• Breakfast on the Farm
• Reigning Grace Ranch
• Hawes Trail Alliance
• National County Government Month

Read for more information >

March Update

The March update includes information on the: 

• Passing of the Gavel
• Announcement of the New District 1 Supervisor
• ASU Partnership
• First Place Press Conference
• PETCO Donation
• AZ Air National Guard
• Arizona Heart Foundation
• Chandler Chamber of Commerce
• Maric...

2018 Year in Review

2018 Projects included:

1. Creating a Healthier Urban Environment
2. More Job Connections
3. Regional Leadership on Homelessness
4. Good Governance

Read the newsletter to see my year in review infographic.

Read my article for project details.

Watch my year in review video.

Grant Money to Help At-Risk Populations in Maricopa County

PHOENIX, Ariz. – November 29, 2018 – The collaboration between Maricopa County and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) continues this year with Board approval of another round of grants from SRPMIC.  More th...

Maricopa County, ASU Partner to Combat Urban Heat, Improve Air Quality

The $2.99 million grant is for three years and will help get the Healthy Urban Environments (HUE) Initiative at Arizona State University off the ground.

The Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) approved a grant to the ASU Foundation for a...

Summer Newsletter

Topics in this issue include:

• Animal Shelter Update
• What We Can Do About the Heat
• St. Mary's Community Kitchen

View the Monthly Update.

Maricopa County budget maximizes resources, delivers promises

You shouldn’t have to pay a lot in taxes to get a responsive, forward-thinking government. That’s the idea behind the county budget we just passed, and it’s the topic of my editorial in the Arizona Capitol Times.

May Newsletter

Topics covered in this issue include:

• Maricopa County Tentative Budget Approved
• D-Backs & County Strike a Deal
• Healthy Urban Environments Initiative
• Rio Reimagined Project
• Strategic Planning Session
• Farm Breakfast
• Tom Manos Outstanding Service Award

View the ...

November Newsletter

Topics covered in this issue include:

• Thanksgiving Greeting
• National Adoption Day
• Teens Giving Back

View the Monthly Update.

Receive Steve Chucri’s Quarterly Update directly to your mailbox as soon as it becomes available: Click to subscribe

Please visit www.ma...

Fall Newsletter

Topics covered in this issue include:

• Maricopa County Parks & Recreation

View the Quarterly Update

Receive Steve Chucri’s Quarterly Update directly to your mailbox as soon as it becomes available: Click to subscribe

Transportation Surveys, Grant Opportunity, & Upcoming Meetings

Board Approves Public Safety Dock at Lake Pleasant

Phoenix – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved design and construction of a new dock and boathouses at Scorpion Bay Marina within Lake Pleasant Regional Park. This addition will be for the exclusive use of the Maricopa County Parks and Recrea...

Donation Will Launch Pet Help Program

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is launching a new program thanks to a private donation.

The Board of Supervisors have accepted a $45,000 donation from Cathy Rinaldi, a longtime Animal Care and Control volunteer. This donation will help launch Mari...

Bill Gates Elected Chairman of Board of Supervisors

January 9, 2019 – PHOENIX – Bill Gates, the newly-elected Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, says county government is making a difference on pressing regional issues such as water, environmental health, and growth and can do even more ...

Prevent Wildfires in the Southwest

Although many in the valley live in urban areas, other areas have what is called a “Wildland Urban Interface”, which creates an environment where fire can move readily between structures and vegetation. Winds, prolonged drought, and high temperatures have...

GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FREE FOR PUBLIC AGENCIES ON DISTRICT LAND

PHOENIX ─ Groundwater recharge is a process where water moves downward from the surface to an underground holding place called an aquifer. In the last 23 years, several public agencies have approached the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCD or ...

Parks annual fire ban to be implemented on May 1

Maricopa County regional parks set May 1 as the start date for annual fire ban

The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will initiate its annual fire ban on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. “Given the abundance of rain we’ve received ...

None

There are no Competition Impracticable procurements under consideration by Maricopa County at this time.

None

There are no Sole Source procurements under consideration by Maricopa County at this time.

Safe Kids of Maricopa County Transitions to Child Crisis Arizona

PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Contacts: Jeanene Fowler, MCDPH: 602-722-1806 (c)Allison Hurtado, Child Crisis AZ: 480-834-9424

Safe Kids of Maricopa County Transitions to Child Crisis Arizona

PHOENIX (April 30, 2019) - Having served as the lead agency...

Maricopa County Public Health Investigating TB Case at Local Hospital

PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Dr. Sunenshine will be available for interviews today from 2-3 pm. Please call to schedule.Media Contact: Sonia Charry, Maricopa County Public Health: 602-679-3098

Maricopa County Public Health Investigating T...

Maricopa County Appoints Public Health Director

PHOENIX (April 16, 2019) – Maricopa County is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcy Flanagan, DBA, MPH, MA as its new Public Health Director effective June 10, 2019. Flanagan currently serves as director of Pima County Department of Publi...

New Survey Asks Maricopa County Residents How Their Community Affects Their Health

PHOENIX (March 12, 2019) – How would you rate the quality of life where you live? What do you feel are the biggest strengths in your community? Residents can provide valuable input on questions like these and help inform where resources are need...

Maricopa County Congenital Syphilis Rates Have Doubled in the Last Two Years

PHOENIX (Feb. 20, 2019) – Last year, 30 babies in Maricopa County were born with congenital syphilis (CS), a preventable disease that occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy. Five of these babies d...

The Long And Winding Road To Mental Health Care For Your Kid

Tips about finding mental health resources for your child.

How Drug Companies Helped Shape A Shifting, Biological View Of Mental Illness

Details a new book and the history of psychotropic drugs.

Keeping Money Secrets From Each Other: Financial Infidelity On The Rise

What seems to be on the rise is Financial infidelity -- secrets and 'cheating' with your spouse about finances.

Majority Of Americans Say Drug Companies Should Be Held Responsible For Opioid Crisis

The survey found that 57% of Americans now say pharmaceutical companies should be held responsible for making the crisis worse. The issue cuts across partisan and ideological divides.

County Jails Struggle With A New Role As America's Prime Centers For Opioid Detox

An ever-growing number of jails — 85 percent of which are run by local sheriffs — are trying to expand the use of medication-assisted addiction treatment behind bars, including the use of buprenorphine and methadone, among other drugs.