Regionalism

We’re not just talking about Regionalism anymore – it’s happening out of necessity and public pressure. It’s about time! With Pima County hitting the million mark in population soon, things have changed rapidly with all the new growth. Just look around you at the problems and issues that we are facing.

With the county and city now posting budgets of $1 billion each, we must find more cost effective and efficient ways to deliver services. The goal of the county should be to reduce our General Fund spending so that we could actually lower our property tax rate to help cover the increased assessed valuation.

There has been an unprecedented effort to successfully consolidate some areas of these two governments. A regional approach is proving to be the best way to solve our transportation problems. Effective August 24, 2004 the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) was established to oversee regional transportation issues. Currently, the RTA is managing implementation of the 20-year transportation plan that was approved by voters on May 16, 2006. The plan includes various modes of transportation to connect people with work, school, shopping, appointments and entertainment. The $2.1 billion plan is funded by a countywide half-cent excise (sales) tax. The RTA board continues to meet monthly and a 32-member Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee meets quarterly to oversee plan implementation as promised to the voters.

There has also been an effort to make economic development more effective, accountable, and regional. Where before we had more than 40 agencies involved in economic development, we now have launched a single organization to streamline these efforts. Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) serves as the lead economic development agency for Pima County and its community partners.

The city and county are exploring increased cooperation through a Regional Planning Authority. This includes the critically important issue of water and sewer. The county has asked the city to consider a Regional Water/Sewer Authority with a separate elected board of directors similar to the CAP. In an arid region struggling under drought conditions, reclaimed water from the county’s treatment plants is playing an increasingly important role as a vital renewable water resource that will be needed to ensure sustainability over the long term.

I believe we have to think creatively and intelligently to find other areas for cooperative ventures. If we can consolidate our emergency services communications, so that all our area police, sheriff and fire departments can provide better and quicker response times, we can do the same for the information technology departments in the city and county.

It is time to think regionally, end costly duplication and work to the greater benefit of our citizens while saving taxpayers money.