Guest Opinion
A way to end Pima County's 'culture of corruption'
Sunday, 2 June 2002
By Ray Carroll

Excerpts:

As a Pima County supervisor who has continually stood up against the arrogance and political favoritism displayed in no-bid contracts, abuse of restricted funds and ghost payrolls, I would like to suggest the implementation of three fundamental proposals that could help bring back some semblance of legitimacy to Pima County government:

* The Board of Supervisors should immediately request a formal investigation by an independent law enforcement agency and cooperate fully with such. The public needs to be shown a sincere bipartisan effort to rout out any corruption, favoritism or cronyism.

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* The board needs to rescind the revisions of the procurement code that it implemented, at the county administrators' request, which enabled Chuck Huckelberry to have virtual cart-blanche control over contract decisions.

Some of these changes were implemented in November of 1998 by a 3-2 vote (Republicans dissenting).

Key changes included revisions that allow the county administrator to remove consultants from the qualified consultants list and to change recommendations from the expert selection panels and the departments.

Rather than basing contract selection on the political manipulations of the county administrator, we need to institute strict policies in compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes requiring qualifications-based selection of architectural and engineering firms.

We, as taxpayers, cannot continue to foot the bill for such chicanery.

* The board should immediately renegotiate the county administrator's contract. The present contract (implemented on a 4-1 vote) secures him in serving out the length of the supervisors' terms until Jan. 4, 2005, in essence giving him equal if not more power than the elected board members.

No one person should have such power; there needs to be a renewed balance between the administrative and legislative branches in our government.

The first step for real reform of county government is to correct the first unjustifiable contract that created the autocracy from which all other problems have originated.

Since becoming a member of the board five years ago, I have consistently attempted to put the brakes on wasteful spending and to rein in the power of the county administrator.

I believe that my three proposals, if quickly and directly carried out by the board, would deal effectively with the conditions that have helped foster what is now know as the "culture of corruption" in Pima County.

It will put those in power on notice and will garner support for supervisors who are serious about reform.

The board must effectively deal with the circumstances that have created the mess, not just give lip service in the hope of temporarily improving public relations.

* Ray Carroll is a Pima County supervisor.