Library operations . . . Outsourced.Planning and zoning . . . Outsourced.
Domestic violence services. . . Outsourced.
Neighborhood code enforcement . . . Outsourced.
* * * * * * * * *
Over the last several weeks, we've been informing P.L.A.N. subscribers about Senate Bill 1322: Managed Competition; City Services, a measure introduced by Tucson Senator Frank Antenori that dictates how City of Phoenix services are procured.
Recent amendments mandate Phoenix to spend taxpayer dollars to undertake an outsourcing, bidding process for municipal services that cost more than $500,000 (sworn Police/Fire personnel, City attorneys/prosecutors, City judges, and the City manager and clerk's offices are exempt).
The City strives to operate every program and service with an eye towards fiscal discipline and accountability. We also recognize that the private sector can and should play a role. This is why Phoenix currently outsources $432 million over 350 service areas. Senate Bill 1322 ignores this fact and instead has the state legislature overriding the Phoenix Council, Manager and voter-approved Charter which governs the City. Your elected Mayor and Council would have no say in the matter.
Programs and services that would be up for bid include:
Domestic violence services
Library operations
Planning and zoning administration
Neighborhood code enforcement
Graffiti busters
Civilian components of the City's Homeland Security Operation
Unsworn personnel in the Police crime lab
Water and wastewater treatment facilities
Certain operations at Sky Harbor International, Goodyear and Deer Valley Airports
Emergency utility assistance
Homeless shelters and prevention programs
Senior center services
Budget management
Small business development program
Equal opportunity functions
Human resources and employee discipline
The bill is so sweeping that the City would even have to bid out the procurement office that would then implement the mandatory procurement functions for the rest of the City's services.
The Phoenix City Council voted to oppose this measure, yet it is now just one step away from the Governor's Office. Please contact the following Phoenix State Senators and the Governor's Office and ask them to please oppose this costly preemption of local control.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
602-542-4331
Senators Representing the Phoenix Central Neighborhood
Kyrsten Sinema
Legislative District 15
Email: ksinema@azleg.gov
(P) 602-926-5058
Source: P.L.A.N.
1 comment:
The State are a bunch of hypocrites who want the Federal govt to stay out of their business, while forcing this type of law down on 2 cities. What gives AZ? If you love this idea so much, start it with yourselves and then trickle it down to ALL cities. This is a Tea Party attack on the cities of Phoenix and Tucson that will put them at a competitive disadvantage with their neighboring cities and towns. That's no way to treat Phoenix, which I believe is run FAR better than the State is.
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