If thereโs any chance of the current 3-2 board of supervisors Democratic majority swinging Republican, itโs in the District 3 race. In the race, Democratic incumbent Sharon Bronson, who was first elected to the board in 1996, faces Republican challenger Kim DeMarco.
Bronson has incumbency on her side, as well as a district that has far more registered Democrats than Republicans โ nearly 40 percent of voters just 32 percent respectively, according to recent tallies.
She has also raised nearly $170,000 and had nearly $140,000 on hand at the end of the most recent campaign finance reporting period, the second largest war chest after District 4 Republican candidate Steve Christy. DeMarco has raised less than a third of that and had nearly $27,000 remaining at the end of the same period, according to the most current reports.
Caterpillarโs move to Pima County, along with several other developments, has been pointed to as evidence that the countyโs economic landscape is improving. However, some have criticized the taxpayer-funded incentives and other means used to attract businesses to the area. What are your thoughts on the countyโs recent role in economic development? Would you push for a different approach?
Bronson: I understand that private sector jobs are created by the private sector. However, I believe it is appropriate for the county to play a supportive role in helping the private sector create those jobs. Before I support incentives, I want to be sure the investment we make will provide an economic return to taxpayers. Creating more jobs provides both direct and indirect economic benefits throughout the county.
Recent news reports indicate that the county job initiatives I support are realizing success and that we are third in the nation in job growth. We need to keep moving forward with those initiatives while also simplifying the regulatory and permitting process for new business.
We will continue to invest in key infrastructure that makes Pima County a place where employers will want to stay or relocate.
DeMarco: I think that it is fantastic that new businesses are coming to the county. However, some businesses are receiving taxpayer-funded incentives. These incentives are not sustainable and they are providing millions of dollars in the furtherance of private corporations.
We need to focus on what will bring not only large businesses, but sustain the existing small businesses in Pima County, as they are the backbone of our community. We need to fix our roads and infrastructure, streamline our permitting process and reduce fees and property taxes, to encourage businesses, large and small. By taking care of the countyโs primary responsibilities and prioritize our spending it will ensure a positive business atmosphere.
Roads, and their often poor condition, are a perennial source of complaints in Pima County. What do you think is the best approach to improve the condition of county roads in coming years?
Bronson: Our roads and how we are going to pay for repairs is among the most significant challenges facing the county. In the last five years the county has spent almost $500 million in repairing, improving and building new roads. The county has undertaken pavement preservation on 225 miles of road, repaired over 800,000 potholes, and has built or will build 45 miles of new roads.
We must continue to focus on road maintenance. I will work to eliminate the state shifts of Highway User Revenue Funds that divert funds from Pima County, move to a more equitable distribution and increase resources for road repairs. Taxpayer dollars should be used to improve the roads in the county. We must also continue our investment in key infrastructure.
DeMarco: First we need to put road repair into the budget as a recurring expense. We need to use the Highway User Revenue Funds monies for road repairs as they were meant to be used. We have received $688 million over the last nine years for road repair, yet our roads are crumbling. The money is not being used for road repair. We need to look at a regional plan using the Regional Transportation Authority that will be a win-win situation for the county as well as the municipalities within Pima County.
My opponent is urging another tax increase. Tax increases are not the answer. We must cut expenses and prioritize spending. Our roads can be fixed and it is my number one priority.
Beyond the issues raised in the previous questions, what is the most significant problem or issue facing your district, and what would you do to address it?
Bronson: Reducing the property-tax burden on homeowners and businesses. Many in District 3 live on fixed incomes and own their home. As a result, property taxes have a particularly significant impact. In Pima County our property tax supports the many functions of county government including our jail and county hospital.
Other Arizona counties can generate revenue from a sales tax, which our voters have rejected four previous times. Also, these other counties, particularly Maricopa, have created separate, special taxing districts for their jail and hospital that generates revenue through separate property tax assessments.
As a result, Maricopa County taxpayers pay higher taxes when all of these other districts are included. Nonetheless, just as we did this year, I remain committed to cutting property taxes.
DeMarco: Beyond the countyโs poor economic development and disintegrating roads, we face a serious crisis with our sheriffโs and corrections departments.
A large part of District 3 is very rural and depends heavily on our great deputies. However, our deputies and corrections officers have not received their step- pay increases as promised in 8 years. Because of this we are losing our experienced deputies and corrections officers to other departments. This loss of experience can be devastating to the safety of our community and can directly affect our ability to draw new business to the area.
This is an issue that needs to be dealt with quickly. We can do this by addressing the nonessential spending in the budget and direct those monies to compensate these men and women as they were promised.
What is the most significant problem or issue facing the county as a whole, and what would you do to address it?
Bronson: Illegal cost shifts by the Arizona Legislature โ I will continue to challenge the illegal cost shifts forced on Pima County residents and businesses by the Phoenix politicians in the Arizona legislature. Recently, I voted to sue these Phoenix politicians and the courts ruled in our favor. These efforts resulted in $32 million being returned to Pima County taxpayers thus enabling us to cut taxes in this yearโs budget. I will continue to fight these illegal cost shifts.
DeMarco: By far the roads are the biggest issue countywide. Here, I would like to address an issue that is just as important: the mistrust of our county government as evidenced in the 2015 bond proposals failing to pass. It is imperative for the Board of Supervisors to operate in a transparent manner. It is important for the board to listen to the people of Pima County and hear what they are saying.
There is an enormous amount of knowledge among the residents in this county including environmental, education and business knowledge, just to name a few areas of expertise. I will change how the board conducts business. Business transactions and decisions will be done in a transparent, honest and fair manner.
Why should voters pick you over your opponent?
Bronson: I am proud to have called District 3 home for over 30 years. We have strong communities, effective partnerships and a strong embrace of innovation. Pima County is a great place to live, work and recreate. Some politicians and radio talk show hosts think they are able to advance their political and economic interests by tearing down our community. I do not. I am committed to making a difference for the residents of District 3. We will continue to build on our record of creating jobs, strong fiscal discipline, conserving our desert landscape and protecting our water resources that contributes significantly to our current and future economic prosperity. My track record demonstrates that I am committed to making a difference.
DeMarco: My opponent has been in office for 20 years and during that time the countyโs debt has doubled to over $1.4 billion. Economic growth remains stagnant while other counties in Arizona are flourishing and our roads and infrastructure have been neglected for years. These serious issues directly affect county residents โฆ and the responsibility falls directly on my opponentโs shoulders. My diverse background as a U.S. Marine, police officer and local business woman has given me the experience, knowledge and leadership skills to find solutions to these problems and take action. My experience in contract negotiation, grant acquisition and budgeting will be invaluable on the board. I will be transparent and honest in my actions and will work hard for the people.
