Article in The Star, August 2, 2008
Pima County Supervisor: District 3: Democrat: Donna Branch-Gilby
Name: Donna Branch-Gilby
Office seeking: Pima County Supervisor, District 3
Age: 65
Occupation/employer: Retired from state of Arizona, Department of Economic Security, 20 years as training manager responsible for Southern Arizona
Family: Married, two grown children, one stepson, all married; 7 grandchildren in Tucson, Denver, and Pittsburgh
Religion: Unitarian-Universalist
Income: $22,200
Residence: Milagro Cohousing, Tucson Mountains
Education: B.A. in English Literature and Latin American Studies, 1967, University of Arizona; MPA in Health Care Administration, 1978, UA
Offices held/run for: First vice chair, Arizona Democratic Party, 2007. Resigned to run in February 2008.
Civic activities/organizations: Co-developer of Milagro Cohousing and member of its homeowners' association, 2002 to present; AFSCME member, past secretary Local 449; co-founder, Arizona Women's Political Caucus; incorporator, Open Inn Inc.; co-founder, the Food Conspiracy; co-founder and chair, Equal Rights Amendment Coalition; appointed to the Tucson Human Relations Commission by Mayor Tom Volgy, (1983-1991), served as chair and vice chair; appointed to the Arizona Air Pollution Control Hearing board by Gov. Bruce Babbitt (1980-87); ACLU, Southern Arizona; former board member, Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona; former board member, Volunteer Action Center; former board member, Unitarian-Universalist Church on 22nd Street; former board member, New Member Committee; chair, member: Sierra Club Rincon Chapter, Tucson Peace Center, National Organization for Women, Tucson Chapter, Greenpeace, Planned Parenthood International. Elected precinct committeeperson 2004, Pima County Democratic Party, first vice chair, 2005; Pima County Democratic Party chair, 2006; Arizona Democratic Party first vice chair, 2007; and member of the Democratic National Committee, 2007. This included "superdelegate" position.
Why are you running?
To provide leadership and accountability to the public in a supervisory district where I see little leadership or accountability.
As Pima County Democratic Party chair, I was responsible for directing election oversight. During the Regional Transportation Authority election, I observed staff in the Elections Division performing in an unprofessional and ethically questionable manner. When I appeared before the Board of Supervisors (BOS) to request data for verifying accuracy of the election, as state law provides, Supervisor Bronson voted to deny access to that data. She continued to do so, even after a three-day trial in December 2007. At the January 8, 2008 BOS meeting, Supervisor Bronson declared her intention to call for an appeal of the judge's ruling. For this and other short-sighted decisions, I was compelled to run to replace her as the county supervisor, District 3. This came at no small price to me, as I was required to resign my seat as first vice chair and my superdelegate status.
The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is: Finding the way to keep water consumption within the bounds of slowly-expanding water capacity in the various water basins in Pima County. Water is the determining factor for all aspects of human activity in Pima County.
Do you have a personal motto or words you live by? Integrity
Favorite local hangout: Blue Willow on Campbell Avenue.
NPR or Fox? NPR
How long have you lived in Arizona? 42 years
What kind of vehicle do you drive? What kind of mileage does it get? 1994 Volvo GTL 850 (used) 23 mpg
If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: Lester R. Brown, agricultural economist, founder of World Watch Institute
If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "Desert Survivor," where contestants develop water, food and shelter using resources of the Sonoran Desert.
First job: Other than baby-sitting, picking strawberries for the entire summer season near my father's farm on the Kitsap Peninsula, Washington.
Taxes: For the last several years, Pima County has cut the residential property tax rate in response to steep increases in property values. However, many homeowners continue to pay more in taxes. Should Pima County cut the tax rate further, and if so, what cuts would you make to county programs to offset the lost revenue?
I am reluctant to make further cuts in the tax rate on property taxes at this time. The Arizona Legislature recently cut approximately $11 million in revenue sharing to Pima County and likely will cut more in a possible special session later this year. Given reduced revenue coming from state and federal sources, I believe the tax rate should drop no further.
Pima County property taxes are high compared to other comparable counties, because of relying exclusively on property tax. I support diversifying the revenue base as most other counties do.
Taxpayers need to be assured that they are getting their tax dollars worth of county services. Keep focus on the services required by law or for public health and safety. Scrutinize all non-essential services for possible reductions.
Growth: What kinds of policies should the county adopt with regards to growth?
Many government and business leaders have embraced the assumption that dramatic growth in Pima County is inevitable. I question that assumption.
I am eager to implement measures to manage growth and reduce sprawl. I support growing in quality rather than size. Impacts of climate change and energy costs increase this imperative. I support policies based on these concepts:
1. Water demand must balance with water capacity.
2. Further growth must pay for itself unless it is of such benefit to the residents of Pima County that the use of tax revenue is justified.
3. The development of a currently nonexistent County Comprehensive Strategic Plan (encompassing the Land Use Plan) will guide setting priorities for the budget, the Land Use Plan and other plans of the county.
4. Development within the current utility service-delivery area is more economical and sustainable than beyond the delivery area. I support a policy which directs future development exclusively within the current service-delivery area of water and sewer services.
5. Family-planning services will be readily accessible to all adults of reproductive age and expanded in cooperation with other governmental public health services.
Although a county supervisor can't set the boundary for an incorporated area, I will use the tools of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and county zoning, taxes, tax incentives and fees to encourage development within the current service-delivery area. I commit to open communication with political leaders in other jurisdictions.
Impact fees: Pima County is in the process of creating regional infrastructure plans that would call for significantly higher impact fees within targeted areas. Do you support raising impact fees? If not, how would you pay for needed infrastructure?
It depends on who benefits from this "regional infrastructure." Whoever receives the benefit should pay the cost. I also ask for the full costs, including the hidden costs of state and federal taxes, used to build roads and sheriff substations, etc.
Business: What kinds of policies should Pima County adopt to encourage a good environment for business?
1. Simplify the sluggish permitting process so business doesn't lose time getting ideas implemented and construction off the ground.
2. Strengthen educational institutions to assure business of a capable work force.
3. Promote our lifestyle qualities and natural resources to suitable businesses. I think of dry air, clear skies, abundant sun, university research capacity, diverse cultural heritage, and diverse flora and fauna for scientific research can draw certain types of business.
4. Use tax incentives and other enticements only with assurance of financial public benefit.
5. Work with our congressional and state elected officials to bring resources for development of solar and other appropriate industries.
6. Focus on recruiting and or developing locally such businesses. Focus on those which are sustainable.
Water: Pima County has attempted to position itself as a leader in regional water cooperation, but the county is not a water provider and state law limits the county's ability to regulate water use. What kinds of water policies should Pima County adopt?
Pima County can take the lead in convening ALL the water providers in the Santa Cruz River basin. Currently only the city and county have a joint "infrastructure, supply and planning study" and others (Marana, Oro Valley, private water companies, etc.) are "guests."
I support adopting the following policies:
1. Water use will not exceed sustainable water capacity.
2. Water will be used for the greatest benefit to the general public for the least use of water.
3. Planning for land use will be guided by scientific data on sub-basins within the Tucson Active Management Area and Pima County.
4. Water gains made through conservation will go to restoring the damage done by overpumping and destruction of riparian areas before it goes to justifying construction beyond the current (2008) service-delivery area.
Management: Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry's contract is up in January. What qualities would you look for in the next county administrator?
Knowledge, skills and abilities to move Pima County from the currently unsustainable, construction-based economy that consumes our environment to sustainable environmental practices in a diverse economy. Knowledge of federal, state and other water and land-use law and codes. Knowledge of human-resource law and practices for the public sector. Knowledge of public finance and tax law and practices for the public sector. Management skills that foster collaboration within a framework of sustainable environment and economy. Extensive skills and experience in long-range planning and resource allocation. Skill in organizing financial information for the layman. Ability to creatively solve problems. Decisive, yet open to new information and ideas. Strong persuasion skills. Able to perform in a framework of open, transparent public decision-making. Able to hire and evaluate work performance against standards of transparent decision-making and stewardship of public resources.
Cooperation: How would you work with officials from other jurisdictions to promote regional cooperation?
I have a proven record of working constructively with Tucson City Council, Marana Town Council and the Southern Arizona delegation of the state Legislature. During various campaigns, I have met and worked with community leaders in many unincorporated areas in Pima County.
To promote regional cooperation, I would use this process:
1. Assess the pros and cons for all parties of furthering and/or implementing regional cooperation for a particular governmental responsibility. Consider the impact on each jurisdiction's long-range plans.
2. Identify common concerns and goals and resources needed for a solution.
3. Identify mutually beneficial solution(s) and share implementation costs as appropriate to that situation.
4. Assess effectiveness; revise as indicated.
