【AZ本地新闻】
（Picture： Thomas Galvin Supervisor, District 2）
By: Thomas Galvin, Vice Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 2
In a world where governments raise taxes and state legislatures struggle to finalize their budget, Maricopa County has achieved the balance between cutting costs and maintaining excellent customer service.
I serve as Vice Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and represent Supervisorial District 2, which includes Mesa. The Board governs the County and allocates funding to its departments and elected offices.
In June, the Board approved a budget for FY 2025, which was keenly focused on a conservative fiscal policy and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We have cut property tax rates for the fourth year in a row.
Relieving Financial Burdens on Taxpayers
The Board decreased the overall budget by 11% this year and property tax rates have decreased by 18% over the last four years.
Compared to other similarly sized counties, Maricopa County boasts a leaner and effective workforce. Our staff-to-population ratio is one of the lowest in the country.
Maricopa County oversees a balanced budget, and I am proud to say that our tax levy is $257 million below the state-mandated ceiling, proving our fiscal discipline.
Lowering Taxes While Maintaining Excellent Customer Service
Despite lowering taxes, we are still funding critical and mandatory services. Nearly half the budget goes towards public safety so that law enforcement, jails, probation, courts, and criminal prosecution and defense can meet staffing needs and keep residents safe.
We have invested in heat relief efforts and are partnering with local municipalities to establish cooling centers across the Valley. Just a few weeks ago, I visited a heat relief center to help distribute water bowls and dog shoes for pet owners escaping triple-digit temperatures.
Also, Maricopa County recently launched Permit Center, a new online permitting system that makes doing business with the County easier, faster, and more efficient.
Responsible Planning for Future Budgets
Economic conditions can change rapidly, so we must be prepared for every possible outcome. Maricopa County has zero general obligation debt. For the past two years, we have made significant contributions towards paying down unfunded pension liabilities for retiring public safety employees. This approach saves taxpayer money in the long run.
The Board’s mission is simple. We pay for our obligations in a timely manner, minimize our debt, keep ample money in reserve, and never spend more than what we have. That’s why we are the most fiscally conservative large government jurisdiction in the country. Maricopa County’s taxpayers can be assured that their county government’s fiscal condition is in good hands.
If you have any questions or need to reach my office, please call 602-506-7431 or email me at District2@Maricopa.gov Sign up for our monthly newsletters by visiting my District page here https://www.maricopa.gov/235/District-2
在一個政府增稅和州立法機構難以確定預算的环境中，馬瑞科帕郡（Maricopa County）成功地在削減成本和保持卓越的客戶服務之間達到了平衡。
我擔任馬瑞科帕郡監督委員會副主席，代表包括梅薩在內的第二選區。監督委員會負責管理郡政府並為其部門和民選辦公室分配資金。
在6月份，委員會批准了2025財年的預算，該預算專注於保守的財政政策和對納稅人資金的負責任管理。我們已經連續第四年降低了財產稅稅率。
減輕納稅人的財政負擔
委員會今年將整體預算減少了11%，而過去四年財產稅稅率下降了18%。
與其他類似規模的縣相比，馬瑞科帕郡擁有更精簡且高效的員工隊伍。我們的員工與人口比例是全國最低之一。
馬瑞科帕郡實施了平衡預算，我很自豪地
說，我們的稅收總額比州政府規定的上限低2.57億美元，證明了我們的財政紀律。
在降低稅收的同時保持卓越的客戶服務
儘管稅收降低，我們仍然資助關鍵和必要的服務。預算的近一半用於公共安全，以確保執法機構、監獄、緩刑、法院及刑事起訴和辯護能夠滿足人員需求並保持居民安全。
我們投資於熱量救助項目，並與當地市政當局合作，在整個社区建立降溫中心。就在幾周前，我訪問了一個熱量救助中心，幫助分發水碗和寵物鞋，供在三位數溫度下逃生的寵物主人使用。
此外，馬瑞科帕郡最近推出了Permit Center，一個新的在線許可系統，使與郡政府的業務往來變得更容易、更快捷、更高效。
對未來預算的負責任規劃
經濟條件可能迅速變化，因此我們必須為各種可能的結果做好準備。馬瑞科帕郡沒有一般債務。過去兩年，我們為支付退休公共安全員工的未資助養老金負債做出了重大貢獻。這種方法從長遠來看節省了納稅人的錢。
委員會的使命很簡單。我們按時履行我們的義務，儘量減少債務，保持充足的儲備金，並且從不超支。這就是為什麼我們是全國最保守的大型政府轄區。馬瑞科帕郡的納稅人可以放心，他們的縣政府財政狀況掌握在可靠的手中。
如果您有任何問題或需要聯繫我的辦公 室，請撥打602-506-7431或發送電子郵件至District2@Maricopa.gov。您可以訪問我的選區頁面 https://www.maricopa.gov/235/District-2 訂閱我們的月刊新聞簡報。
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