County Supervisors across the state are expresing alarm over proposed legislation that weakens their authority over county budgets.
A Gila County press release says that Senate Bill 1411 strips boards of supervisors of their ability to oversee the budgets of county elected officials including sheriff’s, attorneys, treasurers, recorders and clerks of the court. The bill would replace it with limited authority to “approve and appropriate” those budgets.
The bill also gives elected officers in large counties new authority to enter into contracts, make purchases, and establish salary and personnel policies for their offices. These functions are currently managed by board policies across all county departments to maximize efficiency and reduce duplication.
The Gila County Board of Supervisors urges state lawmakers to allow county elected officials to work together to resolve their differences rather than changing state law that would lead to further conflict and reduce transparency.
Senate Bill 1411 was passed by the Senate Government Reform Committee on February 16 and will next be considered by a vote of the full senate.
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