Supervisors hear financial update for county; projects continue

Last week’s meeting for the Pinal County Board of Supervisors was the final one with Supervisors Lionel D. Ruiz and Sandie Smith, who are retiring.

Opening up the agenda was the announcement of the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting award to the county from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

This was the 12th consecutive year Pinal County has earned the distinguished award, which recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Supervisor Ruiz said the award is due to the hard work the Finance Department staff puts in to make sure all taxpayer money is reported. “This award shows the caliber of people that work for us,” Ruiz stated. “They put in that extra effort to make sure all money is accounted for.”

Attending the meeting telephonically, Chairman David Snider said that the award is special because the Finance Department is recognized for its efforts by other government financial officers from across the country.

“They (the Finance Department) are working hard at keeping track of all we do inside the county,” Chairman Snider said. “They are keeping an eye on the taxpayer money and are commended for their superior efforts.”

Financial Update
Budget Director Janette Weedon reported to the Supervisors on the current financial status from special taxing districts and excise tax.

The funds examined in detail by Weedon and the Budget Office were the Library District, Flood Control District, Road Excise Tax, Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) and the Public Health District.

Looking over the past first quarter reports, Budget Director Weedon said that the county is expected to collect 98 percent of budgeted revenues. Looking at projected valuations, Weedon announced that the county could experience a decline of three percent in 2009 and five percent in 2010 and 2011.

Weedon said while revenues decline, some projects will have to be deferred until funds are available to complete them. She stressed that the San Tan Library should be completed in 2009.

To handle the expected shortfall of revenues, departments such as Public Health have instituted a 180-day hiring delay and revised hours on the Mobile Health Clinic and Public Health Clinics across the county.

Public Works will complete design work on upcoming projects, but will defer the construction until the funds are available.

Supervisor Smith advised staff that designing projects should continue and be completed so they are ready to begin if President-elect Barack Obama and Congress approve stimulus funds for public works and infrastructure in 2009.

“It’s important to have those plans in the can, so-to-speak,” Supervisor Smith said. “I am under the impression that only projects ready-to-build will be funded.”

Public Works Director Greg Stanley agreed by saying that the design phase on projects will continue.

Chairman Snider added that while the numbers don’t look promising, the county’s careful approach to the current fiscal year’s budget has helped weather some of the effects of the current economic crisis.

“Our approach has always been to look conservatively at the projected numbers,” Chairman Snider said. “I think it’s very important that we receive updates bi-monthly so we can plan effectively.”

File photo