Maricopa County, Arizona is home to a unique local government system. It is composed of five elected district supervisors and a county administrator appointed by the Board of Supervisors. This Board is responsible for setting the agenda and approving a budget that allocates money to all departments and elected offices. Local governments are an essential part of the U.
S. federal government system, as they are the closest level of government to the people and provide most government services. The Department of Government Relations helps county departments communicate the impacts of policy decisions made by the federal executive branch on local governments, while also seeking mutually beneficial solutions to regulatory problems. The Maricopa City Council is made up of a mayor and six City Council members, each serving a four-year term in a non-partisan vote. This Council is the only elected body in the municipality.
The Department of Government Relations also assists the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in articulating their positions, concerns, and requests on issues that affect local government and its residents. The general funding decisions made by Congress have an effect on how local governments operate. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is a national organization that represents county governments before the administration of the President and Congress. In Maricopa County, Arizona, local government plays an important role in providing services to its citizens and ensuring that their voices are heard at the federal level. The Board of Supervisors, City Council, and Department of Government Relations all work together to ensure that local government is effective and efficient.
