DISTRICT 5 DIGEST: MAY 2021
Welcome to District 5 Digest! Our mission of this newsletter is to demystify the role of local government in our community and keep you up to date with County politics. As a life long resident of District 5 and now as Pima County Supervisor, it has always been vital to our shared community to know what's going on in our community and how everyone can get involved. Please share widely with your community and as always, please reach out to our team at district5@pima.gov with any questions or concerns. This newsletter will highlight District 5's activities for May 2021.
Stay safe,
Adelita
Photos & Media from May
The People of District 5
Youth Spotlight: Daniela Caballero Castro
Daniela Caballero Castro is a senior at Desert View High School. She has been involved in her school's student council since she was in 6th grade and is currently the student body secretary and the Vice President of National Honor Society. Daniela has been heavily involved in her community for many years, she is on the Superintendent Advisory Council for the Sunnyside district, as well as currently being the first intern for Adelita Grijalva's office. Daniela is going to the University of Arizona to study Political Science and Law, she is hoping to become a lawyer to help immigrant families as well as one day run for office. Congratulations, Daniela!
If you know a young person in our community who you think should be highlighted, please visit www.adelitasgrijalva.com/youth-spotlight and nominate a youth!
Business Spotlight: Coffee Times
Coffee Times is Tucson’s original locally-owned, family operated double drive-thru coffee shop. We’ve been at the same location, 3401 E. Speedway Blvd., since 1999. Our crew is as diverse as our menu, with the most highly trained, personable, and professional baristas of ANY coffee shop in Tucson. When the line starts growing, our crew simply puts it into high gear, but always with the quality our customers both expect and deserve.
Period Poverty Awareness Week - THANK YOU!
The Pima County Board of Supervisors Declared May 24th-May 30th of 2021 Period Poverty Awareness Week. Our office led the effort to organize a donation drive in District 5 and grew beyond our expectations!
Instead of simply spreading awareness we wanted to ensure action as well. Thanks in partnership with over 20 locations across Tucson, we collected hundreds of products to be given to the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona and the YWCA of Southern Arizona to be distributed to our community!
Access to sanitary and hygienic menstrual products impacts our most vulnerable and can lead to health complications.1 in 5 low-income women report missing work, school, or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.
Here at District 5, we are incredibly grateful to all of the partners and community members who hosted a donation box, donated, and or shared the information. Thanks to all of you we were able to collect two full car loads of supplies! This will definitely be a yearly event in our office and donating supplies to the Diaper Bank and the YWCA are also encouraged year round.
THANK YOU!
Adelita's Kids Getting their Vaccine!
COVID 19 Updates
There are various ways to receive your COVID vaccine, please refer to the above graphic regarding where you can sign up. For the most up to date information on how to schedule your COVID 19 vaccine, please visit pima.gov/covid19vaccine.
Mask mandate repealed, but masks still highly recommended
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In response to changes in CDC guidelines, the Board of Supervisors repealed the mask mandate on May 14, 2021 and replaced it with a resolution recommending face coverings.
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Masks are still required for public transportation, correctional facilities, facilities that serve the unhoused, congregate living, health care providers, schools and any public building.
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We are still in a pandemic and as many as 1 of every 450 Pima County residents have died of COVID-19. The vaccine rollout is good news, but please continue to show respect to the people in our community and use mitigation methods to stop the spread.
Vaccination sites
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Vaccine eligibility in Pima County is open to everyone 12 years and older! Only Pfizer has been approved for minors aged 12 to 17. Check the Pima County Health Department website to see which sites offer the Pfizer vaccine. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
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Most vaccination sites don’t require advance appointments.
COVID 19 Testing
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Testing has gone down, however, CDC guidelines and the Health Department has stated that testing and vaccines go hand in hand in ensuring we continue to keep track of the spread of COVID 19 in our community.
For the most up to date information on COVID 19, vaccinations, and testing, please visit the Pima County Health Department's website.
Policy Updates in May
Mask Mandate Update
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In response to changes in CDC guidelines, the Board of Supervisors has repealed the mask mandate and replaced it with a resolution stating that face coverings are recommended.
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Mask use is still required for public transportation, correctional facilities, facilities that serve the unhoused, congregate living, health care providers, schools, and any public building.
Review and adoption of the Tentative County Budget for Fiscal Year 2021/2022
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The Board of Supervisors held budget hearings with all county departments before adopting the budget.
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The ceiling for expenditure for the county budget is $2,115,600,207. There is $43 million in contingency funds for emergencies, and there is some flexibility to move money between departments and line items in the budget. Stay tuned for more information.
JobPath Funding Request Approved
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JobPath received an additional allocation of $750,000, which brings the total contribution from Pima County to JobPath to $1.75 million for the upcoming year.
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According to their website, “JobPath partners with colleges and job-training centers to support adults in two-year-or-less degree or certificate programs… (and) provides financial assistance for program and life expenses to help you get to the finish line and into well-paying careers.”
A Win for Early Education Advocates
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Pima County has allocated $10 million to preschool education in the upcoming fiscal year.
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The program will be opening up preschools at different sites with various partners in the community.
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Studies show that every dollar invested in preschool has a $20 return. More access to early education means children will get the support they need at an earlier age.
Champion Schools Project Approved
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An educational facility revenue bond was issued to Champion Schools which are located in Chandler and San Tan Valley.
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Supervisor Grijalva voted against this because these charter school projects are in Maricopa County.
Approval of Regular Joint Meetings with City Council
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On the agenda will be differential water rates, COVID-19, and transportation.
Resolutions
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RESOLUTION NO. 2021 – 19, of the Board of Supervisors, acknowledging the need for broadband high-speed internet access for all Pima County residents.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2021 – 23, of the Board of Supervisors, declaring the County’s intent to become a Dementia-Friendly Community and entering into a formal partnership with Pima Council on Aging to work toward that goal.
Proclamations
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A proclamation presented to Patricia Maisch proclaimed the first Friday of June 2021 to be “NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS IN PIMA COUNTY.”
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Presentation to Grace Soto, granddaughter, proclaiming the day of Saturday, May 29, 2021 to be: “GRACE SOTO DAY.”
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Proclamation declaring the week of June 13 through 19, 2021 to be “MONSOON SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK.”
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Proclamation declaring the week of May 24 through May 30, 2021 to be “PERIOD POVERTY AWARENESS WEEK.”
Get to Know Your County Government
Most people don’t deal much with their county government unless they’re getting a birth certificate, paying taxes, or interacting with the Sheriff’s office. The County Board of Supervisors, however, is a critical entity in county government. They are the policy making body of a county and have powers as a county and powers of the board that they are responsible for. Throughout our digest issues we will share some tidbits about the Arizona Revised Statutes that are the guidelines for county governments in Arizona.
What else is included in Chapter 2 of Title 11?
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Article 3, Solely focuses on the Clerk of the Board, who is very similar to a City Clerk and has many of the same duties
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Article 4 shows a more detailed list of all the powers of the Board of Supervisors
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Article 5 outline the authority of the Board to direct building projects for the County and details that bonds can be used to cover costs
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This chapter also covers medical facilities, care of indigents, healthcare which are major services that the County provides and funds.
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Article 9 delineates the building permitting process, while Article 10 defines and discusses the county employee merit system.
Women's History Spotlight
A section to celebrate important women in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona State, United States.
Carmen Soto de Vasquez
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1861-1934
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Brought Spanish language arts to Tucson with the opening of El Teatro Carmen
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Supported a Nogales orphanage and adopted at least three children.
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Invited well-known Spanish and Mexican performers to come to Tucson and develop a following outside of their country and among Tucson's Hispanic population.
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Was inducted into the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.
