[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6488478,"mediaKeyId","5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c","parentId",5547812,"title","Pima County staff outlines shelter‑capacity study and recommends system hubs, outreach expansion and regional coordination","audioSeconds",1115,"startMs",12085000,"endMs",13200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c&start=12085&end=13200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c/thumbnail_12085000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488478/Pima-County/Arizona/Pima-County-staff-outlines-sheltercapacity-study-and-recommends-system-hubs-outreach-expansion-and-regional-coordination","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488478-ee605a1fd98040881b82b010d4aa9f3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771774498&Signature=A9JZugwX1ckzAt4xggv6xLLoT3sXOkgQuR5iFVlcHt6XUSD1SA5IB65tgcHEdCOFWoamPbgJKX4MlBREov~DjGu-c57h0MSNfwQJreKNFieEgio5pLgb-JBoo77wE7264yroDvXszauXCqNZ2F5naLjiSmVgaRrrrXCK-VJEIbFqaydYOyQPyuaAUG5Ev-CeO3m0iOvcN6fsynkPL-H2zF7AphCr3d2EobNjX06wfSw6L436Djq4Jy~TaTqwKcJd4hvhawqybTM8XHtfTJC0wOFhGRohDEW~gjx~B40FqKFKaJqbOFwWoHwuFjnkuEyraTLw0paOEyGwIWkF5yq0OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pima County","date","2025-08-06T01:06:00.397Z","article","County staff presented a draft feasibility and work plan Aug. 5 in response to a May 6 request from the Board to evaluate how the county can create or increase low‑barrier shelter capacity and better use under‑utilized beds.

Senior adviser Jen Darland, director of the Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions, told the board the review included national, state and local model analysis, inventory of existing county programs, and an assessment of system constraints.

Darland identified system constraints that limit shelter use and flow: inconsistent operational practices and program entry rules across providers, no real‑time public inventory of available beds, a lack of centralized referral or shelter hub, and limited shelter‑to‑housing pathways. She said many shelters operate with varying maximum stays (often around 90 days) and that adding beds without improving throughput would leave any new capacity strained.

Key recommendations presented:
- System improvements to create capacity within existing low‑barrier shelters by focusing on transitions from shelter to permanent housing; centralize bed availability and referral information to remove the \"phone‑a‑friend\" referral model; and create anchor or hub sites to support outreach, discharge planning and rapid transport into shelter.
- Strategic outreach enhancements emphasizing multi‑disciplinary, relationship‑based outreach teams that include staff with lived experience and tie outreach to immediate access to shelter, treatment, or reunification services.
- Coordinate regionally with the City of Tucson, the local Continuum of Care (TPCH) and nonprofit partners to define shared objectives, reduce siloing and align investments; partner use of federal, state and local funds to sustain successful pandemic‑era programs where appropriate.

Darland said the county would continue coordinating with TPCH's public survey and planning, the Pima County Regional Affordable Housing Commission (which is working on funding recommendations and development strategies), and city partners. County Administrator Lehi Lesher told the board the grants finance team has been moved into central finance to strengthen oversight and that staff would return with more detailed plans.

Board members praised the regional approach and urged rapid steps to restore a centralized shelter inventory and to explore safe‑parking and sanctioned camping options as part of a larger strategy. Supervisor Cano suggested piloting technology to create a live inventory and incentives for nonprofit providers to participate.

Why it matters: The county said it still needs about 1,300 shelter beds to meet demand, but Darland emphasized that adding beds without system changes will not solve capacity problems. The board asked staff to produce a work plan that identifies county actions, partnership needs, timelines and funding options.

What's next: County staff will convene regional partners, refine a work plan and return to the Board with recommendations and implementation timelines; TPCH will present broader strategic planning materials in mid‑August.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff presented a feasibility approach to increase low‑barrier shelter capacity and better use under‑utilized beds, recommending centralizing bed information, enhancing outreach and coordinating regionally with city and nonprofit partners.","taxTitle","Pima County, Arizona","taxId",2570,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488484,"Auditor General issues mostly clean financial opinion for Pima County but flags federal‑grant and IT control weaknesses",1912,7868000,9780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c&start=7868&end=9780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c/thumbnail_7868000.jpg","/articles/6488484/Pima-County/Arizona/Auditor-General-issues-mostly-clean-financial-opinion-for-Pima-County-but-flags-federalgrant-and-IT-control-weaknesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488484-59cc3ff9213f581753955b9fed1a9a0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771774498&Signature=KqsmcPmecHYA3BqwPdMb0hRtxoin0DNuOSOn1TWgRxyL3YYKs2RiQHgo8g-zFBi3i9fzJ4GskYYDDXiIPLB4QUN2mkaESWyVQLLOHTA-GeuZrDIF3HPujttuRL9vz-~teBa3R8x0X9ODD-TkaWVLS6C6th0BcPuDFK52wRjOGqPVnL~TPAjtZhLGB21dImHLOcMLo00iL4TpdwoUxCTgQZGidhCCh7l8LWFnrzsVpMzJSkWJk2T9G4f6qGoHMI89G4MtTazgaS7f4PooCm0QYIEDOClog7-m-W8Q0pH8EMZ76PIy1k-WLZAwpFqWGJC0y7~DC2wN2bFdNlDN-SbVdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arizona Office of the Auditor General presented its fiscal‑year 2024 audit to the Pima County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5, issuing an unmodified (clean) opinion on the county's financial statements but reporting multiple control deficiencies and federal single‑audit issues.

Lindsay Perry, Arizona's auditor general, and Catherine Edwards Decker, financial audit director, told the board the county's financial statements are reliable (unmodified opinion) but that the office identified two internal‑control findings related to information‑technology (IT) risk classification and access controls. The audit also produced four federal single‑audit findings and qualified opinions on five of seven major federal programs tested.

Key findings
- IT controls: Auditors said the county did not sufficiently identify or inventory sensitive information across systems nor consistently document IT policies and account‑access procedures; the county was advised to identify and classify sensitive data, prioritize controls and implement access and authentication requirements. County management expects to address these measures by mid‑2025.
- SEFA and federal reporting: The county initially submitted an inaccurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), with about $5.1 million understated in total federal expenditures and $357,000 understated pass‑through amounts; the county also missed the federal filing deadline (single audit submitted 38 days late). Auditors recommended staffing, training and a comprehensive federal funds listing; county expects correction by June 30, 2026.
- Subrecipient monitoring: Auditors found the county did not perform required monitoring for 27 subrecipients and identified $347,345 in questioned costs related to Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program subawards. This matter was previously reported and is partially corrected; county anticipates correction by June 30, 2026.
- Program reporting controls and documentation: Auditors reported missing independent review of federally required reports and incomplete program documentation; they recommended written procedures, staff training and documentation practices.

County response and steps: County Administrator Lehi Lesher told the board the county has already moved the grants finance team from Grants Management and Innovation into the central Finance Department to strengthen oversight and has been staffing up. Finance director Andres Cuaron confirmed finance and grants teams are implementing auditor recommendations and meeting regularly with the Auditor General staff.

Auditors noted the county's net position increased in FY24 to about $2.7 billion, with $2.6 billion invested in capital assets and $426 million restricted; the unrestricted net position remained negative ($283 million) largely due to pension liabilities. Federal expenditures dropped about $3.6 million from FY23, partly as COVID‑era spending declined. The Auditor General identified prior‑year findings that are now either corrected or partially corrected.

Board action: The board voted unanimously (4‑0) to accept the audit results and to approve a related human‑resources memorandum before the meeting's July filing and presentation requirements were complete.

Why it matters: Clean financial statements support public confidence and borrowing capacity, but federal audit findings and IT weaknesses risk federal funding interruptions and future reporting errors. The county pledged corrective action, and staff outlined timelines and organizational changes intended to address the auditors' recommendations.

Speakers quoted include Auditor General Lindsay Perry and Financial Audit Director Catherine Edwards Decker; county officials who commented include County Administrator Lehi Lesher and Finance Director Andres Cuaron.","The Arizona Office of the Auditor General gave Pima County an unmodified financial statement opinion but reported findings in grants management, federal reporting and information‑technology controls; county staff outlined steps and timelines to address the issues.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488488,"Pima County Board directs lobbyists to probe data center sales-tax exemptions amid Project Blue debate",1590,2385000,3975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c&start=2385&end=3975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547812-14c365776227c009adef8fc600df192c/thumbnail_2385000.jpg","/articles/6488488/Pima-County/Arizona/Pima-County-Board-directs-lobbyists-to-probe-data-center-sales-tax-exemptions-amid-Project-Blue-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488488-9ca1a0bcb88b60b58b86ad3ae805b048/orig.mp4?Expires=1771774498&Signature=BCAdSyA5ZlpnjeEehRg8-duynagfjKDIKk-peh7DN8GrIREWm-lCsRpM5Xm92HmG~5LznlewTTyQlu2aIsiWYiZyV35pdGOFhiD-fMVjcmhoFLBvEPFim4mNVBsNspeBYkfYa4ltxBWktHClgABF77ztz4P~lR814RfqTPOQ3bz23eOJtRVW7aeIo9URY1~jNPUf9P6wHintZ3jXUI3wujN6IRXiZg20stUGIz2W5QEBjOooO85FK3lACXuJKqdIrCPdVAuEW2EX9Ao9t-JtvlUidOUd~kn81OK8DN4lx8Viser~d7t7C4XsvgUP2fd2HbcqbNZ8xFYZL75ML2jbng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Aug. 5 to amend its 2026 legislative agenda to direct the county's contracted lobbyists to investigate eliminating state and local sales‑tax exemptions for computer data‑center equipment.

The motion, introduced and explained by Supervisor Steve Allen, directs lobbyists to \"investigate the elimination of data centers state and local sales tax exemptions\" and passed with Supervisor Christie opposed. Allen said the item was meant to make the county's preference explicit as Project Blue, a proposed large data‑center development, progresses through project review.

County lobbyist Michael Rossi told the board the exemption was created in 2013 to attract data centers to Arizona and is a state sales‑tax exemption that reduces the shared sales‑tax base counties and cities receive. Rossi said Arizona was experiencing rapid data‑center growth and argued there is \"a pretty darn good argument\" the exemption may no longer be necessary to attract the industry.

Supervisor Christie asked which government level imposes the tax and whether repeal would affect county or city revenue. Rossi replied it is a state program (the computer data center incentive program) and noted the exemption decreases the shared sales‑tax base; he said some city revenue could also be affected depending on how the exemption is applied. Rossi and Supervisor Allen later reported the program will stop accepting new applications for certification after Dec. 31, 2033, but awards already certified can extend benefits up to 10 additional years (potentially through 2043).

County Administrator Lehi Lesher and Rossi urged caution about broad language that would target all tax exemptions. Rossi and County legal counsel said repeal of an enacted tax credit would require a two‑thirds vote of both legislative houses under Arizona law (Proposition 108 rules). Board members discussed focusing first on this specific program rather than a blanket repeal of all exemptions.

Board members who supported the motion cited concern about lost shared revenue for counties and the need to ensure corporations \"pay their fair share.\" Supervisor Connell said the move aligns with actions other Arizona municipalities and state lawmakers are taking to reassess incentives and community benefits. Supervisor Cano said the item was a way to pursue additional revenue the county can use for local services.

The board directed staff and its lobbyists to research the exemption's details and legislative options, including the sunset timing and the exemption's effect on county and municipal revenues. The board vote was recorded as 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Supervisor Christie). The board asked staff to return with more information and to coordinate with the County Supervisors Association and local legislators.

Why it matters: The county says the data‑center incentive reduces the state sales‑tax base shared with local governments; with large projects such as Project Blue estimating billions of dollars in taxable equipment costs, the exemption could materially affect local revenues. The board's action signals interest in pursuing changes at the state level and lays groundwork for lobbying and legislative outreach.

What's next: County staff and the contracted lobbyist will provide follow‑up research on the program's current terms and the fiscal impacts to Pima County and municipal partners, and will coordinate with legislators and the County Supervisors Association.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the county meeting on Aug. 5, 2025.","The Board voted 4-1 to amend its 2026 legislative agenda to direct county lobbyists to investigate eliminating state and local sales-tax exemptions for data‑center equipment after members and the county's lobbyist said the exemption likely no longer serves its original purpose.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pima County staff outlines shelter‑capacity study and recommends system hubs, outreach expansion and regional coordination

Auditor General issues mostly clean financial opinion for Pima County but flags federal‑grant and IT control weaknesses

Pima County Board directs lobbyists to probe data center sales-tax exemptions amid Project Blue debate