Maricopa County is balancing the challenges of rapid population growth and demands for services such as public safety, with a careful allocation of revenues to meet public service needs. The county does so on the basis of a Five-year Business Plan.

Over the past decade, Maricopa County has had its bond rating upgraded by Moody's four times. The county's bonded indebtedness was paid off in 2004. The combined primary and secondary property tax rates were held flat for seven years and now are being systematically reduced. The county is nevertheless investing heavily in infrastructure, anticipating future growth. A total of about $1 billion in capital expenditures will be completed over the next five years, using mostly pay-as-you-go financing. These include projects in criminal justice and juvenile detention facilities, roads and bridges, flood control, technology, general fund buildings, and new courthouses. All of this is pursuant to a 20-year infrastructure plan.

The county's strategic plan has seven strategies, including a five-year revenues/expenditures financial model. These strategies involve justice and law enforcement, community health, community services, employee excellence, financial and capital improvement, and regional leadership, among others. Each strategy contains a variety of programs and policies designed to move this community of 4 million people progressively to a better quality of life.

A major administrative initiative is the Managing for Results integrated management system. This requires measurable outcomes for every major function of the county. This includes a spectrum of efficiency measures, customer satisfaction surveys, benchmarks, use of best practices, and emphasis on continuous innovation.

Tom Manos