Coleen Morando

The Board of Supervisors meeting covered a broad agenda, including several proclamations for awareness days and weeks, such as Apraxia Awareness Day and Period Poverty Awareness Week. Key business actions included approving contracts for water distribution services, library security, and various infrastructure and community development projects. The Board held public hearings regarding firework permits, a liquor license, and building code amendments. Additionally, there were discussions and actions regarding the County Administrator hiring process, support for the Rio Nuevo tax district, and the designation of a memorial highway. Further actions involved appointing members to the Elections Oversight Task Force, approving various appropriations for cooperative extension services, and ratifying duplicate warrants.

The board meeting included a roll call, a pledge of allegiance, and a land acknowledgement statement. Discussion topics included updates from the Grants Management and Innovation department, a presentation on animal welfare from the Pima Animal Care Center, and tributes to a community leader. The board also handled agenda adjustments and issued proclamations for Apraxia Awareness Day and Period Poverty Awareness Week, which included efforts to collect and distribute menstrual products.

The Board of Supervisors discussed several agenda items, including the retirement recognitions of a wastewater department permit regulatory compliance officer and an information technology business systems analyst. The session included an executive session for discussion on information-only items. Additionally, a presentation was given on the county's initiatives to address homelessness and public safety, with a primary focus on the heat response plan. The board reviewed data on heat-related illnesses and mortality, the status of cooling centers, and new infrastructure for heat mitigation, such as additional cooltainers in high-risk areas.

The board discussed and passed Resolution 2026-25, which formalizes the county's opposition to a proposed 14% rate increase by Tucson Electric Power. The resolution supports a 4% rate increase, advocates for a percentage-based low-income assistance program, and supports Rider 23 for individual metering of mobile home park tenants. Additionally, the board discussed the necessity of intervening in the Tucson Electric Power rate case currently before the Arizona Corporation Commission.

The board meeting included several presentations and updates. Key topics included a land acknowledgment statement from the regional flood control district, updates on the stormwater parks program and new partnerships with local tribal nations, and an overview of animal adoption initiatives. The supervisors provided individual reports on school and community engagement activities, including literacy and trade programs. The meeting also featured the presentation of proclamations for an anti-graffiti poster contest and the recognition of Health Workforce Well-being Day, with discussions on the challenges of healthcare workforce burnout and moral injury.