County Government Overview Unit 5 Lecture 2

Objectives and Standards I can name the positions of county leadership I can name local districts in which I reside I can use specific resources to identify my government officials – AZ SS Standards C2 PO8, PO9 – CCR Reading (#7) CCR Writing( #8) – NCSS Theme #6 (Q 3,4; Know. 5; Process 1,2, Product 1,3)

Bell Question Other than the man on the right, name – 1 County official position – 1 Person who currently has that job

Questions to Answer during Lecture What are the purposes and functions of counties in Arizona? What offices control Maricopa County? Who are current officeholders in Maricopa Cty? How does Maricopa County get/spend money?

What is a County? Counties a political subdivisions of a state – Over 3000 counties in United States – “Counts” ruled small areas for French kings (counties) – “Earls” ruled “Shires” for Viking Kings – Used in 48 states (LA=Parish, AK=Boroughs)

AZ County Structure and Evolution 4 Original Counties to Current 15 – Set up in Arizona Constitution Art. 12 – Boundaries, Functions under control of state Carry out state mandated programs, laws – Daily operations under legislative control of Board of Supervisors – Highest executive positions elected – Have jurisdiction over both cities and unincorporated land

Arizona Counties Evolution

Board of Supervisors (County Legislature) Focused on local issues, entrusted with lawmaking and fiscal powers – Areas of responsibility Transportation Environment Public Health/Safety Parks/Education

Current MC Board of Supervisors Sup. Kunasek is Chairman and runs meetings, sets agenda Currently 4 Republicans, 1 Democrat – Set Property Tax Rate and Tax for Community Colleges Find your Supervisor ov/pollingplace/getdistrict.a spx ov/pollingplace/getdistrict.a spx

AZ Constitution Required County Executive Officials Each County Must Have: 1) Sherriff 2) County Attorney 3) Recorder 4) Treasurer 5) Assessor 6) Superintendent of Schools Maricopa County Matching A. Bill Montgomery B. Keith Russell C. Joe Arpaio D. Don Covey E. Charles Hoskins F. Helen Purcell

Maricopa County Sherriff's Office MCSO General Duties Primary Law Enforcement Outside of Cities Enforces County Rulings/Laws – Evictions – Work Place Rules Resource Labs and personnel for cities – “CSI” Labs – SWAT Teams Sherriff Joe Arpaio Long Experience as DEA agent Sherriff since 1992 “Get Tough” Policies controversial – 6300 lawsuits filed since 1993 – $50 million in taxpayer expense

County Attorney County Attorney Duties Investigate/ Prosecute Crimes Legal Counsel for Board of Supervisors and County Departments Help Victims receive services to recover from crime Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery Graduate US Military Academy Fought in Desert Storm – Bronze Star J.D. from ASU Law (Magna Cum Laude) Elected 2010

Maricopa County Recorder Recorder Duties VOTER REGISTRATION Polling Places and Vote-by- Mail Official Copies of Land Deeds, Wills, Court Judgments Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell Elected 1989 Oversees collection from 1871 to present – 10,000 new per day Leader in digitizing public records National Public Official of the Year 2010 Find your Polling Place! –

Arizona Elections AZ Voter Qualifications US Citizen 18yrs + on general election day 29 days Arizona resident No felonies, unless rights restored – Not adjudicated incompetent Register to Vote in Maricopa County In Person Recorder and Elections - Main Office (Downtown) 111 S. Third Ave. Phoenix AZ Phone: By Mail – Maricopa County Recorder 111 S 3 rd Ave. Ste 102 Phoenix, AZ – Form: Form: gistration_fillable_form.pdf gistration_fillable_form.pdf Internet –

Treasurer/Assessor Treasurer ($$$ out) Collects and hold Money from County Taxes Disburses county money to cities, schools Charles Hoskins, Elected 2008 Assessor ($$$ in) Calculates Property Values and Sends tax bills 2010 Revenues $580 million from property taxes, base of Maricopa county budget Keith E Russell, Elected 2004

Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools Duties Administer more than 100 state laws on education – 63% of Arizona’s students live in Maricopa County Improve fiscal management Build all levels of educational leadership Dr. Don Covey Former Assistant Superintendent for Phoenix Union 35 years experience in education Picture (L) with Glendale Union Board Member Rick Fields (R)

County Judiciary Justice of the Peace Courts Duties (Limited Jurisidiction) Supports state activities at the County Superior Court Covers large areas of unincorporated land Handles minor crimes, penalties less than $2500 or 6 months in jail Performs weddings and can issue warrants and evictions Justice of the Peace Qualifications (4 Year Term) Must be at least 18 years old and an Arizona resident; Must be a qualified voter in the precinct in which duties of office will be performed; Must read and write English; and, Need not be an attorney. Find yours! – ricopa.gov/justiceCourts/Gen eralInformation/locations.asp ricopa.gov/justiceCourts/Gen eralInformation/locations.asp

AZ Constitution Required County Executive Officials Each County Must Have: 1) Sherriff 2) County Attorney 3) Recorder 4) Treasurer 5) Assessor 6) Superintendent of Schools Maricopa County Matching A. Bill Montgomery B. Keith Russell C. Joe Arpaio D. Don Covey E. Charles Hoskins F. Helen Purcell