Creatures of Statute

This week, the CSA team recaps the County Supervisors Association’s 22nd Annual Policy Summit, held in Coconino County. Each year, the Summit brings together county supervisors and leaders to discuss shared challenges, exchange ideas, and establish the policy priorities that will guide CSA’s advocacy during the upcoming legislative session. A special thank you to Coconino County for hosting this y...

This week, we're joined by Dane Binder , Director of Government Affairs at Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) , to explore Arizona's behavioral health system and CBI's role in delivering critical mental health and crisis services across the state. Tune in as we discuss Arizona's crisis response system, CBI's Treatment Response Centers for juveniles, and the organization's partnership in Pima County's i...

This week, we sit down with Sarah Porter, Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy, to unpack the federal government's newly released framework for managing the Colorado River over the next decade. Tune in as we discuss what the Final EIS says, the potential for major reductions in Arizona's river allocation, and what counties need to be watching fo...

We sit down with Rene Guillen, Executive Director of the League of Cities and Towns, to discuss some of the key issues emerging from the last legislative session and the League’s policy development process as it looks ahead to 2027. Tune in as we discuss the importance of stewarding political capital, the challenges facing local governments, and the League’s efforts to advocate for local control o...

Arizona's 5Cs helped build the state's economy. Join us as we examine how Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and Climate have influenced county revenues and what the data reveals about their changing impact over the last 20 years. Explore our data tools here: https://www.countysupervisors.org/data

This week on Creatures of Statute , we're bringing you another episode of our series Off the Charts . The 2018 Wayfair decision is often cited as a major revenue boost for local governments. But what do the numbers actually show? We take a data-driven look at remote retail collections across Arizona counties, examine how online sales taxation changed after Wayfair , and compare those revenues to r...

This week, we learn about how Mohave County is leveraging stormwater mitigation projects to promote groundwater recharge, strengthening long-term water resilience in the Kingman area. In this episode, Mohave County Development Services Director Scott Holtry discusses how the county partnered with local and state agencies, including WIFA, USGS, and ADWR, to protect communities and support future gr...

We break down the FY 2027 state budget package introduced by the Arizona Legislature this week after months of negotiations between legislative leaders and the Governor's Office. We discuss the state's fiscal outlook, review several of the major tax and spending provisions included in the proposal, and take a closer look at where key county priorities landed in the final agreement. To view our ful...

In this episode of Off the Charts , we explore how Arizona's property tax framework has kept our relative property tax burden one of the lowest in the country—even as home prices have more than doubled. We break down the data behind levy limits, inflation, county budget pressures, and what Arizona's low-tax status means for taxpayers and local services. Watch this week's episode on our youtube cha...

This week on Creatures of Statute , we sat down with Dan Bogert, COO of the Arizona Restaurant Association, to discuss the intersection of county government, public health, and Arizona’s restaurant industry. The conversation explored food safety regulations, health inspections, permitting, and the vital role local restaurants play in Arizona’s economy and communities. Tune in for an inside look at...

Flood control is one of the many essential services counties provide to protect residents, infrastructure, and local communities. In this episode, we take a closer look at how Pima County is modernizing flood control through targeted infrastructure investments, stormwater management projects, and community partnerships designed to reduce risk and improve public spaces. Learn more about Pima County...

Welcome to Off the Charts , the Creatures of Statute series where we dig into the data and explore the stories that most people and policymakers don't get to see. In this episode, we dig into Greenlee County and the role copper plays in shaping its revenue picture. As one of Arizona’s historic “Five C’s,” copper has long driven the local economy, but what happens when a county’s tax base is heavil...

In this episode, we provide a legislative update on the FY2027 state budget package released by the legislative majority, and how it compares to the Governor's January executive budget. We also cover Governor Hobbs’ veto of the package, the breakdown in negotiations over major policy items, and what it means for counties moving forward. Find our FY27 Budget Summary here View our Policy Priorities...

In this episode, Yuma County Supervisor and Chair of the WIFA Board, Jonathan Lines, and WIFA Director Chelsea McGuire break down how the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority is guiding strategy around water augmentation, reuse, and rural system development. Tune in to hear how Arizona is building its water future through long-term planning, innovative infrastructure projects, and collaboration...

This week, we mark the 100th day of the legislative session and take a closer look at what that milestone really means (and doesn’t mean) for the timeline ahead. We break down where budget negotiations stand, share updates on CSA’s priority bills and key county issues, and look ahead to what could surface in the final stretch of session. To view our key Legislative and Budget Priorities, click her...

In this episode, we examine the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) — one of the most significant cost drivers in county budgets. Listen as we trace the evolution from county-run indigent care to today’s statewide Medicaid-managed system, explain the funding formula that determines each county’s share, and discuss the current cost environment and its impact on county finances. To learn more abou...

April is National County Government Month! Across Arizona, counties are on the front lines delivering essential services, supporting our communities, and keeping our state running every day. From public safety and infrastructure to elections and health services, the impact of county government reaches every resident. This month, we’re proud to partner with the National Association of Counties and...

Join us as we break down how Arizona fulfills the constitutional right to counsel—and why counties are at the center of delivering and funding indigent defense. Explore the history, structure, and real-world budget pressures behind public defense systems, and what a new statewide evaluation could mean for the future. Check out our indigent defense overview and case study here Learn more about Indi...

This week, we break down how Arizona’s property tax system works , from how tax bills are calculated and who sets the rates, to the key taxpayer protections that keep costs relatively low. We also explore what property taxes fund across counties and the growing cost pressures, including state-mandated programs, that shape local tax policy. Tune in to the episode to learn more, and explore our reso...

In this episode, we take our show on the road to visit and tour the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat in Young, Arizona , a Gila County-led effort to transform a former U.S. Forest Service site in the heart of the Tonto National Forest. Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline and Executive Assistant Cathy Melvin walk us through the years-long process of working with the U.S. Forest Service and partners...

This week, we’re joined by Bill Gates, former Maricopa County Supervisor and current Director of Arizona State University’s Mechanics of Democracy Lab (MODL) and Professor of Practice at ASU, to discuss the lab’s work to strengthen election administration and public understanding of elections. We also highlight MODL’s efforts to train the next generation of election professionals through student f...

This week, we break down key legislative proposals that could impact county finances across Arizona. We explore pending state policies with the potential to restrict local revenue authority, as well as proposals that could shift costs to counties and drive additional spending. Learn more about what these proposals could mean for county budgets and the services Arizonans rely on. To view our docume...

This week, we break down what expenditure limits are, why they exist, and the practical implications on county operations. From historical context to modern challenges like workforce pressures and voter-approved adjustments, we explain how these constitutional rules guide—or constrain—the way counties serve their communities. To learn more about expenditure limits, check out our website at https:/...

In this episode, we unpack the first bill of the 2026 legislative session to be signed into law and a key county priority: HB 2022, sponsored by Representative Kolodin. We’re joined by AACo’s Jen Marson, who has been at the tip of the spear on this issue, to discuss how the bill streamlines election administration, moves the next primary election to July 21, and ensures overseas and military voter...

It’s not just about buying things—it’s about how local government actually gets things done. This episode spotlights an 18-month research partnership between CSA, the League of Cities and Towns, the Arizona Board of Regents, and Arizona State University exploring how procurement delivers real value for residents. Led by Dr. Akheil Singla, Dr. Justin Stritch, PhD candidate Mariah Lindberg, PhD stud...