The Pima County Board of Supervisors announced its list of 2019 priorities Tuesday in a 3-2 vote at its regular meeting.
Road funding is at the top of the list. Following the defeat of Prop. 463, which would have authorized $430 million in bond funding for road construction, the county is looking to pursue other ways to fund road repairs and construction.
The county will also seek legislation that would give them more control over federal and state grants.
Here are the priorities, according to a county press release:
Reducing State Cost Shifts - During the long climb out of the recession, the state transferred the cost of some state programs onto counties. The county continues to advocate for the state resuming funding of these programs and providing budget relief to the counties. Among the remaining cost transfers is a $1.2 million annual payment to the state's Department of Administration to underwrite the cost of sales tax collection. Pima County doesn't have a sales tax.
Protecting the Board of Supervisors' Authority Over Acceptance of Federal and State Grants - The Board would oppose legislation that would reduce the ability of county boards of supervisors to review whether to accept state and federal grants.
Criminal Justice Cost Disclosure - The county would support any legislation that would provide greater clarity to the public about the true cost of the criminal justice system.
Criminal Justice Reform - The county will support any legislation that would expand home detention and monitoring; allow drug-use defendants to receive treatment in lieu of incarceration; expanding funding for diversion and treatment programs; provides a chance for felons to have their records expunged; expands community restitution programs for low-income defendants who can't afford to pay fines; and ensures criminal defendants who can't be restored to competency are not released to the community.
Border Enforcement Impact Funding - Border enforcement, as its presently conducted, takes a significant toll on border counties and communities. The county would support any legislation that would help border communities offset these impacts.
