Article contributed by Carol Broeder
Gila County – April is celebrated as National County Government Month, and as a long-time member of the National Association of Counties (NACo), Gila County takes the spotlight on this occasion. says NACo President Dennis Winfrey, describing events across the country this month.
Since 1991, NACo has encouraged counties to actively promote their role and responsibilities in serving their citizens. In kicking off National County Government Month in Gila County, the Board of Supervisors announced at his April 4th meeting that this year’s theme would be “Counties RISE!”, with a proclamation naming April 2023 National County Government Month. approve the An acronym for Resiliency, Inclusion, Solvency and Empowerment.
Here are some examples of how Gila County practices these principles not just in April, but every month of the year: every year.
Resilience: In NACO terminology, it “refers to our future focus and determination to serve our communities as they grow and change”. It is now under construction after decades of attempts and repeated efforts by county leaders to secure His more than 1,000 inhabitants of his community, the ever-growing Tonto Basin, on the eastern side of the creek, are stranded as the waters of Tonto Creek rise. Sadly, over the years, attempts to cross flooded streams have resulted in tragedy: In 2020, the Federal Department of Transportation gave him $21 million to build a bridge in Gila County. I was. This was welcome news for District 2 County Superintendent Tim Humphrey, who traveled to Washington, DC to drive the fundraising on behalf of Tonto Basin. “The successful approval of our grant application is a value to the efforts we have made over the years to educate the Arizona Legislative delegation on how important this project is. “This saves lives and helps build infrastructure.”
inclusion: “It’s focused on programming that leaves no one behind, especially for those who have been previously underserved.” A great example of serving those who don’t. Through the Cavity-Free Arizona Program, county health departments offer screenings. sealant; fluoride treatment, and silver diamine fluoride to kindergarten, second, and sixth grades – at school. Her $20,000 grant last year from the Arizona Foundation’s Delta Dental helped expand these services to all children in Gila County from pre-kindergarten through her eighth grade, said the county’s dental program. says expert Tricia Johnson. Like children’s services, all county oral health programs focus on underserved populations, including adults. They provide dental checkups, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene instruction, education, and referrals to seniors, pregnant and postpartum mothers in Gila County.In January of this year, the County Health Department awarded her $30,000 received another Delta Dental Grant from This is of great benefit to children, pregnant women and the elderly who do not have insurance and cannot otherwise access dental care.
Ability to pay: “It means facilitating economic mobility opportunities that help residents and communities.”
That’s a particularly helpful definition to explain the 2021 pledge revenue bond issuance that “cut down the mountain” liability for the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), said financial director Maryn Belling. In doing so, Gila County saved him $11,119,412 over the next 20 years. The county’s primary property tax rate of 4.19 per 100 has not changed since 2010. “Pledged income” as a bond structure is what Gila County collects from sales tax, vehicle license tax, and PILT (Payment In Lieu of Tax), Belling says. Her original PSPRS debt costs $32,927,848. Bonds reduce overall costs and pay off debt four years faster than the PSPRS approach.
empowerment: “Commitment to sharing resources, educating and informing each other”.
A notable example of how Gila County empowers its residents is through the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) provided by the County Health Department. CHA assessed the health status of residents throughout Gila County. From September 2019 to February 2020, stakeholders participated in this process to identify the most pressing health issues facing residents. Officially rolled out in September 2022, CHIP is a major threat that could limit the ability of public health, community hospitals, and their partners to work together to lead a full, happy, and healthy life for their communities. A guide to use to address the factors. CHA informed CHIP and put together a strategic plan aimed at improving health across Gila County. To view the results of this community-driven process, visit her website for the county. https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/ [Gila County Health and Emergency Management]Click.
Join the celebration! For more information, see the National County Government Monthly Display in the main lobby of the Gila County Courthouse (lobby at 1400 E. Ash St., Globe, and Tommie Cline Martin Complex (610 E Hwy 260, Payson)). National County Government Month.
