Pima County Supervisors Honor Sunnyside Little League, Approve Budget

Pima County Supervisors Honor Sunnyside Little League

The Pima County Board of Supervisors were pleased to honor the Sunnyside Little Leag ue team on Monday. We passed a proclamation recognizing August 19, 2019 as "Sunnyside Little League - 2019 Major Division Baseball Day."

We honored the young athletes for their hard work and their performance at the Western Regional tournament. They have done an amazing job, and it was a pleasure to see them and their families.

The Proclamation was presented to c oaches Ernest Moraga, Francisco Rivero, Cristobal Lorta, and p layers, Izaiah Moraga, Michel Muniz Jr., Jorge Zazueta, Miguel Siqueiros, Andrew Romo, Francisco Rivero, Antonio Ochoa, Jordan Mayboca, Cristobal Lorta,Juan Hernandez, Aciel Guillen, Juan Abril, and Angel Armenta Jr.

Budget Vote

I spoke of those kids and their parents and the struggling families across Pima County as the Board voted on the budget and increasing our loan to the University of Arizona.

On Monday, my colleagues formally rejected my plan for a tax neutral budget in a 3-2 vote. I had proposed the plan for taxpayers, like the parents and coaches of the Sunnyside players, who will now face an increased tax burden.

In my plan, I proposed using the funds allotted for unfilled positions on a temporary basis in order to achieve a tax neutral budget. Currently:

1,756 Full Time Employee (FTE) positions remain unfilled

$58,094,972 is the total amount budgeted for the unfilled positions

$8,307,716 has been saved in the General Fund only from vacant positions up to this point (8/06/2019)

the County is on track to save $72,000,207 in the General Fund from personnel expenses if these positions remain unfilled

the amount of money needed to make a tax neutral budget was $10,795,268

the savings could have been used to ensure that taxpayers would not experience a tax increase

As you can see from the numbers above, not one service or job would have been impacted.

While some of my colleagues paid lip service in support of the proposal, when push came to shove, they chose to shove another increase through. Not only did they ignore my pleas for fiscal restraint and compassion, they ignored those of County Assessor Bill Staples.

Pima County Assessor Bill Staples calls on Board of Supervisors to be honest about taxes increases

University of Arizona Loan

I could not in good conscience approve an increase in the loan amount to the University of Arizona for the Mineral Museum which brings the total loan for tenant improvements to $13.5 million in the 20,789 square foot space. The supervisors approved that astronomical loan in a 4-1 vote.

As I have said before, not only are Pima County taxpayers carrying the burden of our university and other favored organizations, they continually face rising taxes. As in the past, this year I urged my fellow supervisors to show some level of compassion for taxpayers.

Too often it seems as if much of the County's decision-making is based on proximity to power and not solid data. As a result, we enter into risky business "opportunities" and speculative projects while neglecting the needs of a majority of our residents.

Supervisors additionally approved in a 4-1 vote, a $5 annual lease to the University of Arizona at 240 N. Stone that includes 2 court rooms and an office totaling 3,026 square feet.

It is a shame that we continue to force taxpayers to subsidize the University of Arizona when the University received a $2.643 billion budget this year.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is the second highest compensated county administrator in the country. His compensation package is well over $400,000 per year.

According to the University of Arizona's budget report, the University's FY2019 budget of $2.643 billion represents a $56.7 million increase.

Pima County leadership has increased the burden on taxpayers in order to develop the University of Arizona's Mineral Museum. Yet, records show that approximately 836 University of Arizona employees receive annual salaries from $875,000 to $150,000 with an annual average salary of $244,257.

Pima County Board Of Supervisors Vote On Tax Notices

Pima County Supervisors Vote To Send Out Tax Bills On August 19, 2019

NEXT

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MEETING

September 3, 2019

9:00 a.m.

Administration Bldg - East 130 W. Congress Street 1st Floor Tucson, AZ 85701

SUNNYSIDE LITTLE LEAGUE PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2019, the Sunnyside Little League Major Division Baseball Team put up a relentless fight in the Western Regionals where they made it to the championship game and eventually fell short to Hawaii; and

WHEREAS , this run for the championship capped off a very successful 11-2 season, went 4-0 in the District 12 Tournament, and 4-0 in the Arizona State Tournament. The season included perfectly pitched games, 2 grand slams, incredible plays that aided the team and their journey to the championship, and represented Pima County well; and

WHEREAS , under the talented leadership of coaches Ernest Moraga, Francisco Rivero, Cristobal Lorta, this championship team bonded together over a common passion of baseball which was further magnified at concentrated practices, games and related team outings that were jointly undertaken with the supportive spirit and full cooperation of all teammates, coaches, family members, and the greater Pima County community; and

WHEREAS , throughout this entire championship baseball season the Sunnyside Little League team learned lifelong lessons about camaraderie, team pride, good sportsmanship, character, confidence, competence, respect, and community connectedness; and

WHEREAS , this exceptional experience will serve to shape these championship athletes in positive ways which will remain with them for the rest of their lives on and off the field, and which will accompany them long after middle school as they move forward to attain similar success in high school, college, and in their future professional careers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the Pima County Board of Supervisors, in keeping with an honored tradition of recognizing similar significant team and personal accomplishments, hereby proclaims Monday, August 19, 2019, to be:

"SUNNYSIDE LITTLE LEAGUE - 2019 MAJOR DIVISION BASEBALL DAY"

and urges all citizens of Pima County to join in applauding this team for their success and achievements.

130 W Congress, 11th Floor

Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: 520-724-2738 | Email: [email protected]

www.allymillerdistrict1.com