Maricopa County chair touts balanced budget, public-safety spending and zoning overhaul in year-end address

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Thomas Galvin delivered a year-end State of the County address outlining the board’s accomplishments and priorities, including a balanced budget, sustained tax cuts and increased spending on public safety and animal care.

"Our work includes a few core priorities: fiscal responsibility, public safety, economic development, housing affordability, election integrity, and animal care," Galvin said, summarizing the agenda he set when he became chair in January.

Galvin told the board that in June they passed what he described as a "fiscally sound balanced budget" and that the county has cut its overall tax rate for a fifth consecutive year. He said the county holds a strong bond rating and carries no general obligation debt. To increase fiscal oversight, he said he directed the county manager to create a budget performance-management system intended to reduce waste and improve accountability.

On public…