Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maricopa County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in public safety with high priority
Domestic Violence Awareness Proclamation
The board proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with members sharing personal survivor stories and highlighting local support networks and county programs available to victims.
Mental Health Treatment and Court-Ordered Renewal Funding
Mental health advocates and family members testified on the challenges of securing care for individuals with severe mental illness, highlighting funding gaps for court-ordered treatment renewals.
Prohibition of Personal Profit from Non-Public Information
The county adopted a resolution preventing employees and staff from wagering on elections or government actions using confidential information, setting a new ethical standard.
Eviction Prevention and Mental Health Pilot Programs
The county is launching an eviction prevention pilot program and expanding court-ordered mental health treatment to help vulnerable residents stay housed and get care.
Public Urination and Defecation Prohibition Ordinance
The county adopted a new public health ordinance making public urination and defecation illegal in unincorporated areas, aiming to help communities like Sun City deal with homeless encampment impacts.
Termination of Court Services Agreement with Town of Queen Creek
The board and presiding judges discussed terminating an intergovernmental agreement for court services with the Town of Queen Creek due to rising caseloads, jurisdictional mismatches, and inadequate reimbursement. Town officials requested more time to negotiate an equitable solution and establish future municipal court infrastructure.
Animal Shelter Overpopulation and Rescue Partnerships
The county continues to partner with local rescue organizations through New Hope agreements to place shelter animals and reduce overcrowding.
Explosion of Digital Evidence and Prosecution Backlogs
The County Attorney's Office is requesting major funding increases for specialized software like Cellebrite and Axon Justice Premier to process thousands of hours of body camera and cell phone video evidence.
Emergency Declaration
Maricopa County declared a local emergency for Tempe to unlock state and federal disaster funds for an ongoing crisis. We're still waiting on details about what happened and how it might affect your day-to-day city services.