The Morning Blend
Welcome
Complete Media Kit
BISBEE — Recycling and responsible growth are just two of the many issues the Cochise County Board of Supervisors hope to take on in the coming year.
Call said, “Last year the county hired a director for the solid waste facility who has clear direction to establish a significant recycling effort. Part of that effort was to hire an expert consultant in the area of recycling.”
Last July the county hired Marty Haverty to run the solid waste facility and begin turning garbage into gold. But, a problem lies in finding a commodities market for the materials. Haverty and the consultant will be looking for industries that will be able to use to the cast-offs that lie in huge piles around the landfill.
|
|
Right now, the county landfill in Whetstone does have areas set aside for a variety of materials such as computers, appliances, metals, yard waste and tires.
The more materials that can be recycled means more time before the county has to build another cell. As things are, a new cell is needed about every three years, according to Haverty. In 2006, 87,000 tons of trash was hauled to the dump. That’s around one and a half tons per person in the county.
The supervisors soon will have more help for Haverty in the form of a recycling committee.
According to Karla Jensen, county public information officer, there had been many calls from interested residents who want to serve on the committee.
Call added, “In just a few weeks the new recycling committee, made up of residents from around the county, will meet for the first time and, soon after, will begin meeting with the consultant. Recycling countywide is an area that will see substantial progress in 2008.”
Searle said, “We have made some great initial steps, but we are far from where we could be.”
Newman agreed and said, “Recycling is a priority for me.”
On growth
For Newman, impact fees are a must to maintain infrastructure.
“I’m hoping my colleagues will support impact fees this year. I’ve been trying for seven years to get an impact fee system running in the county. We need the fees to control growth and provide money for infrastructure improvements,” Newman said.
Call said, “I’m very interested in continuing the county’s current proactive course regarding responsible growth. I’m particularly excited about two specific areas in the coming year. The first is the visioning process undertaken by the Planning and Zoning Department. Growth is coming to Cochise County; it cannot be stopped but it can be managed responsibly. The visioning process will be instrumental in this effort.
“Secondly, the whole phenomenon of ‘green building’ is an area where the county can provide leadership. Home builders and home buyers throughout the country are demonstrating an increased interest in green building for environmental, health and financial reasons. Counties can play an important role in providing services, incentives, programs and policies that support the green building movement. I’ve already begun discussions with some local builders and the county’s planning and zoning department.”
Personnel and
customer service
Searle plans to initiate a “successful recruitment for key personnel” in the highway and planning and zoning departments which have been running with reduced staff since last summer.
“This goes along with the continuing goal of keeping the County focused on customer service and operating efficiently,” he added.
Call agreed and said that there would be a continuation of staffing satellite offices in outlying areas of the county.
“Moving county government and services out to the population centers in the county has been a priority,” Call said. “In the Sierra Vista area particularly, residents no longer have to drive to Bisbee for basic county services. Anything from marriage licenses to building permits are readily and easily accessible locally. In the first quarter of this year, a very interactive and user-friendly Web site will be initiated that will offer many county services online. 2008 will see continued aggressive efforts to make county government more accessible and easier to use.”
Water Conservation
“Water, as always, is going to be an area of intense efforts by the county,” Call began. “I would hope that in the first quarter of 2008 the board will pass the water adequacy ordinance. It has to go through the P&Z Commission before it gets to us. However, if the Board of Supervisors passes it (and it has to be a unanimous decision), it will give the county the authority to turn down a request for a subdivision if the subdivision does not have adequate water, which will be a determination by Arizona Department of Water Resources. Right now, the county cannot stop a subdivision based on inadequate water supplies. The good news is that there are some exciting possibilities coming our way, particularly as the Legislature continues to give more authority to counties to manage this resource.”
Newman, too, sees water as a big issue and hopes to see more efforts to protect Fort Huachuca and the San Pedro River.
Affordable housing trust fund
One of the issues Newman has championed is a trust fund for affordable housing. Last year, he successfully negotiated a $400,000 commitment from the developers of Shadow Mountain. With that seed money, he hopes to be able to start a fund to assist lower income residents to become home owners. He wants a county policy that requires developers to contribute to the fund.
Fry Townsite to see
improvements
Call said he was looking forward to the redevelopment of Hummingbird Mobile Home Park in the coming year. The development will include homes for low income families.
“I’m not sure how much of which will be begun in 2008 but, the last I heard, one of the two projects should begin this year,” Call explained. “Apparently, though, that depends on certain grants/tax credit issues being resolved by the developer.”
Property tax
Searle says he wants to work on lowering the county property tax rate again in 2008.
“We have been able to do so for the last two years and to lower it once again this year, especially in light of the State’s current budget problems, will be an accomplishment,” he said.
Illegal immigrants
As a proponent for a comprehensive immigration plan, Newman hopes the nation’s lawmakers will continue working toward a viable initiative that will resolve the problem.
“The county continues to be hurt financially by undocumented immigrants,” he said. “Something needs to be done at the national level.”
I-10 bypass
Newman also said he was extremely concerned with the push to route a proposed bypass for I-10 around Tucson and Phoenix via the Lower San Pedro River Valley. Several routes through the area could threaten fragile habitat and the river itself if approved.
“I’m going to watch that closely. We need to protect the San Pedro. Though the public view is unfavorable, ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) may still try to push it through. I plan to get it through the heads of the powers that be that the routes through the San Pedro are unacceptable,” he added.
Outlook for 2008
Two of the supervisors have an optimistic outlook for 2008.
“It is going to be an exciting and busy year — and I’m looking forward to it,” Call said. “I’ve always been committed to ensuring that the status quo, or business as usual, for Cochise County is imagination, innovation and enthusiasm.”
Searle said, “I am optimistic about life in general for Cochise County residents am looking forward to completing my first term as Supervisor for District 3. It has been a productive three years and 2008 should be good as well.”
But, Newman takes a different view. He believes the housing bust is going to hurt Arizona and the county in the coming months and even years.
“The national economy is looking bad. Some say we’re in a recession. The state legislature is already trying to come up with ways to cut $1 billion from the budget due to a shortfall.
“That may mean a reduction of money to programs like long term care for seniors and others who need it.
“I don’t know what cutbacks the legislature is going to make, but it’s bound to affect the money the counties get. Right now, we don’t know how the county will be affected ... We don’t know what cutbacks we may have to make. People need to be aware.”
Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
Miko wrote on Jan 7, 2008 6:58 PM: