First of all, let me wish each and every one of you in District 1 a very Happy New Year. Let’s hope 2014 is prosperous for all of us.
I am pleased that the first board meeting of 2014, the Supervisors were able to pass a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment for Pinal County employees. This has been an issue I have been pushing for the past two years. Our employees have not seen a raise in the past six years and it has cost us some very good employees. They are just like you and I, they have bills to pay and families to support. While 2.5 percent won’t make up for the last six years, it will go a long way in telling employees we value them and their service to the taxpayers of Pinal County.
After a nationwide search, we have come up with our new county manager. Interim County Manager Greg Stanley will be taking the reins of a very demanding job as soon as he negotiates a contract with Supervisors Todd House and Steve Miller. Mr. Stanley has been with Pinal County since 2004 after serving as the Public Works Director for the City of Casa Grande. He will have his plate full with Pinal County slowly rebounding from the economic recession that we have experienced since 2007. We are starting to see our new housing starts begin to rise and our sales tax receipts begin to grow as well.
Pinal County welcomes a new chairman of the board for 2014. In a recent meeting, the Supervisors unanimously voted for Anthony Smith to be our chairman for the upcoming year. He takes over for District 3 Supervisor Steve Miller, who served as our chairman for 2013. I congratulate Supervisor Miller for his term as chairman. He did a very good job leading the board in our first term as a five-member governing body. Supervisor Todd House will take over as vice-chairman.
Again, my wishes for a safe and happy 2014 for each and every one of us. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call my office at (520) 866-7830.
Sincerely.
/s/ Pete Rios,
Supervisor, District 1