Miller proposes Pima County budget public study sessions

Her fellow supervisors rebuffed Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller’s efforts for public study sessions for three years. It appears that the third time might be the charm.

At the request of Miller (District 1), the supervisors will vote on whether or not to hold public study sessions on the Fiscal Year 2015/16 County Budget at the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd.

Miller submitted the item to the Clerk of the Board on January 28th for discussion and vote at the upcoming Board meeting. In 2013 Miller urged the Board to hold public study sessions on the budget but her motion failed due to lack of a second. As a result, she then held her own study sessions with the County Administrator and staff and invited members of the public who packed the Board meeting room.

In regards to the upcoming vote, Miller stated, “Due to increased constraints on funding, it is critical the County Supervisors agree to hold public study sessions which will enable the tax payers to participate in the budget discussion process.” She went on to say, “I am hopeful my fellow Supervisors will join me in supporting transparency, especially when there is talk of another tax increase which we undoubtedly must avoid.”

Supervisors have refused to participate in Miller’s earlier pubic study sessions, but things have changed it seems.

Shortly after Miller made her request this week, for an agenda item on the issue, Supervisor Ramon Valadez made his own request for the sessions. Valadez, who is facing a tough re-election, has suddenly become eager to appear responsive to the public and in favor of transparency.

The Board of Supervisors will discuss and vote on these items at the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd at 9am. Meetings are held on the 1st floor of the County Administration building located at 130 W. Congress in downtown Tucson.

About ADI Staff Reporter 12171 Articles
Under the leadership of Editor-in -Chief Huey Freeman, our team of staff reporters bring accurate,timely, and complete news coverage.