ERP and Project PimaCore:
The “What” and the “Why”

Around Pima County these days, one hears the buzz words "ERP" and "PimaCore."  These words will lead to exciting changes within Pima County.  As Christina Baldwin once said, “Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.”  As Pima County continues to grow and revenue continues to decrease, we need to implement ways to increase efficiencies Countywide.

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is an integrated information system that serves all departments within an organization; Pima County will be that organization. PimaCore is the project name for the selection and implementation of an ERP system for Pima County. Project PimaCore has numerous Pima County employees representing various departments within Pima County on this project.
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Ride Home Program Replaced
Pima County Guaranteed Ride Home Program Phase Out and
Replacement PAG Emergency Ride Home Program

Due to budgetary reasons, Pima County’s Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program is being phased out. However, alternate mode users can sign up for Pima Association of Government’s (PAG) GRH program and still have an emergency taxi ride if you need to leave work quickly and are without a vehicle.
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Sun Tran Bus Fare Increases
and some thoughts on alternate modes of transportation

On June 2, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council voted to approve a transit fare increase effective August 1, 2009. Pursuant to Pima County Administrative Procedure Number: 23-7, Pima County employees will still receive an $18 county subsidy for monthly bus passes, but the Sun Tran fare increase will result in the employees contribution increasing as shown below:

Note: You can use your regular monthly bus pass to ride on an express route, but you will have to deposit 25¢ in the fare box in addition to swiping the card.

This cost is still much less than driving your vehicle, especially when you add parking fees. And besides saving money, riding the bus also reduces air pollution and traffic congestion, and increases personal time where you can read, visit with bus buddies, knit, balance your checkbook, or use your iPod and cell phone without the stress of driving.
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Potential Cost Control/Reduction: Opportunity Knocks
by Terry Finefrock,
Chief Contracts & Procurement Manager

Current market conditions can provide an excellent opportunity to decrease historical unit prices when you have the need to establish a new contract or the option to do so at the expiration of a current term (renewal) of an existing contract. Use of the internet Reverse Auction solicitation process to increase competition can also enhance results. A Reverse Auction procurement process can usually establish a contract in less time than a formal bid process.
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There's a Place for Your Unwanted Electronics!

Tucson Clean & Beautiful Inc. has provided a list (pdf format) of businesses and organizations that buy, sell, trade or accept donations of computers and related accessories or electronics.

For other recycling and reuse resources, please visit the Tucson Clean & Beautiful Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Directory. It's an invaluable resource!

Puzzler

Think you know Pima County?

The two images immediately above may look like abstract paintings, but they're actually aerial views of portions of Pima County. They're from an area in the western part of the puzzler below.

(click to enlarge)

Three parts to this one:

• Where is this feature located?
• What was mined here?
• What is it called?

Answer...