A look back at Chairman Thomas Galvin’s first year

As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at Thomas Galvin’s first year as Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Chairman Galvin joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss topics ranging from the election IT audit to creating an economic development office, being the only county of its size without any general obligation debt and Galvin’s work to end the Melendres orders.

“We do it on a rotation basis, I was very privileged to serve as chairman of the board this year,” Galvin said, “…I outlined about 21 items in our speech in January, but was able to take them all off, and got them all done, so it was a great year for accomplishing.”

According to Galvin, their work is categorised in seven different categories, including economic development, housing, public safety, budgets, elections, and good governance.

“We cut the overall tax rate five years in a row, we opened up an economic development office, and just last week we completed revised our zoning ordinance,” Galvin said, “…which is gaining national attention.”

Maricopa county is the largest jurisdiction in America without debt, as most of the county’s reserves are stored in case of an economic downturn.

“The only time we take on debt is when we absolutely have to,” Galvin said, “…only because of Constitutional limitations here in Arizona, we have an expenditure limit, but it’s not by choice.”

Galvin explained how Arizona has one of the highest election turnout rates, as voters show their support by showing up.

“My problem is with candidates who don’t accept the results of those elections, or their surrogates who try to undermine the faith in our elections,” Galvin said, “…but we have millions of people that vote every single cycle, we’re expecting that this next year for these important statewide elections.”