A Message from Supervisor Ally Miller
Dear Pima County Citizen,

As you know, I have been a strong opponent of  tax increases and a voice for more transparency and accountability in Pima County.
 
Yesterday, the AZ Daily star reported that I supported the vote on the tax levy and that I voted against processing and mailing the tax bills.   The report was inaccurate. I voted against adoption of the tax levy and voted in support of mailing the tax bills.  

The reporter, Patrick McNamara - who was in attendance at the meeting, was notified of this error within an hour of the story being posted on line. Unfortunately, McNamara didn't correct his mistake and it went to print.  I have requested a  correction from the AZ Daily Star however, as you know - this will be buried in the fine print in a future edition.

You may recall immediately prior to the primary election in 2012, the Star reported that I was a democrat which confused many voters in a primary election with 4 candidates. 

I have been a strong, vocal opponent of the tax increase and did not vote for the levy.


Supervisor Miller Votes NO on Tax Levy Adoption 


County Residents Won't See an Increase in Sewer Fees This Year

At yesterday's meeting  I questioned the County Administrator and Wastewater Director on their request to raise sewer rates . The Board had postponed the vote following numerous discussions over the past 6 months but ultimately decided, in a 3-2 vote in support of my motion, to deny the sewer fee increases.  I was the only Board member to ask questions and following conflicting answers from staff and Mr. Huckelberry, it was clear the Wastewater department should reduce non-essential spending before they raise sewer rates on residents and businesses in Pima County. 

Supervisor Miller Questions & Moves to Deny Wastewater Fee Increases
 
Press Release: County Residents Won't See an Increase in Sewer Bills This Year
August 17, 2015 - (Pima County, AZ) - Following thorough questioning by Supervisor Ally Miller, the Pima County Board of Supervisors denied approval of the County Administrator's request to raise sewer rates at today's Board meeting.  The Board had previously postponed the vote three times over the past 6 months but today decided the Wastewater department would have to figure out a way to reduce operations and maintenance costs before raising rates on business owners and residents.
 
Miller was the only Supervisor to question the Wastewater Director and County Administrator on conflicting information the Board had received over the past six months.  She discussed the $12.1 million increase in consultant fees as well as claims the Wastewater department had seen a decrease in operations costs. Miller brought up the fact the department financial plan actually projected a 17% increase in operations.
 
The District 1 Supervisor stated, "Wastewater increases hurt those who can least afford it and deter business from setting up shop or growing existing operations in Pima County. I can't support an increase in these fees when it is very clear the solution is to reduce wasteful spending and operations and maintenance in the Wastewater department".  
 
Citing Wastewater's recent $1 million building purchase Miller said, "You just can't go and spend millions on unnecessary land and building purchases when the growth and revenue isn't available to pay for it; that's poor planning and frankly mis-management of your tax dollars".
To view the discussion and vote from today's meeting click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-ifmPl3zRk&feature=youtu.be        
 
Supervisor Ally Miller, elected in November of 2012, is currently serving her first term as a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors representing District 1.  Supervisor Miller holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Finance) from The University of Arizona and a Master's in Business Administration from The University of Arizona Eller School of Management and has been a resident of Pima County for more than 30 years.
####


Economic Development Built upon the premise of adding $815 million more to Pima County's Debt

At the August 6th Board of Supervisors Meeting I voted against the County Administrator's Economic Development plan because the plan is heavily dependent upon voters approving the $815.6 million bond package in November. Huckelberry's plan for economic development advocates for a gas tax increase and lacks sustainable development in the 5th poorest region in the country.  Pima County already has the distinction of holding two times more debt than the other 14 Arizona counties combined. Adding more debt and raising taxes to pay it off isn't economic development, its economic suicide and a "direct deterrent to economic development".  What do you think Mr. Huckelberry's plan will look like if voters turn down the bond package?
Supervisor Miller's comments on Huckelberry's Economic Development Plan


 
November Bond Election Details

 

Recently, the Board approved sending an $815 million bond package to voters to for a November 2015 election.  While I did not vote for the bond package, the  Pima County 2015 Bond Website contains information regarding the projects and even includes a map of where each bond project is located.  

If you are interested in knowing which roads will be repaired in the bond package, you will have to vote on the package first in order to find out what's in it for road repair.

 

 

Thank you for allowing me to serve you.  If you have questions, comments or concerns, please contact my office so that I can get them addressed for you.  I value your input and hope to hear from you soon.   

 

 

 

Best regards,

Like me on Facebook signature

 

Ally Miller

Supervisor, District 1

Pima County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Ally Miller, District 1 | Pima County Board of Supervisors

130 W Congress 11th Floor | Tucson, AZ 85701

p: (520) 724-2738 | e: [email protected]

www.pima.gov/bos/dist1

Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.