County Supervisor reports progress; Sockwell proud of budget work; lifestyle improvements in county

By Tom Sockwell

Dist. 2 Mohave County Supervisor

In talking to my constituents, I find that many people are aware of complaints and allegations made concerning Mohave County because these are the types of things that make headlines. Those same people are not always aware of the achievements we have accomplished in improving Mohave County and, specifically, District 2.

One of the things I am very proud of is that I have voted to approve six balanced budgets for Mohave County. We worked hard to move this county from the brink of bankruptcy to our present debt-free fiscal stability.

In that process, I demanded a level playing field for the supervisors' budgets. When I came to the Board there was a terrible disparity between each supervisor's spending. We had one supervisor spending about $67,000 per year, one spending close to $83,000 and another spending $122,000. Now, each supervisor gets an equal expense budget. To become fiscally sound, I pulled back the reins in my District 2 office by closing one office site and cutting back on personnel. We trimmed anything that wasn't fully productive. We also limited the value of the vehicles driven by supervisors. Now all three supervisors are driving vehicles of around the same dollar amount in conducting their official business.

When I started this job in 2001, there was no plan in place to improve Mohave County's financial predicament. County services were suffering, staff had a tremendous turnover rate and many people didn't believe the problems could be solved.

I worked with County Manager Ron Walker on creating annual plans to solve the county's problems. We created goals to improve financial stability and we followed those goals to success. Our plan goals also dealt with improving services and creating a workplace atmosphere where we could attract professional employees and keep them. The strategic planning that we created has been followed and is responsible for a lot of our successful endeavors. Through our various measures to cut our turnover rate, we saved a lot of money and improved the quality of all services.

Another action that has led to positive improvements in our county is the creation of our Economic Development Division. I promoted bringing that function under county control and the results have been positively dramatic. I have also fully supported the Mohave County Airport Authority in its successful approach to bringing in retail development.

We created a capital fund that has been successful in improving county facilities. That money comes from the quarter-cent sales tax. We do not spend property tax dollars on constructing facilities. We built the new Administration Building in Kingman which pulled together many county departments that had been scattered all over that city in crumbling, leaking old buildings. We also built the new Sheriff's Office to replace a building which had been condemned.

We have established and prioritized a list of capital improvements for District 2. I worked long and hard to get the new Division 1 Superior Court building in Bullhead City. We are presently working on a plan for other capital projects in our district which include a new sheriff's substation in Fort Mojave and an expansion of the administration annex in Bullhead City. We have been setting aside funds to expand the Mohave County Bullhead Branch Library. I promoted the development of a library in Golden Valley and one in Dolan Springs. I have supported park improvements including the development of a Mohave Valley park which, unfortunately, has been stopped dead in its tracks until we get a water allocation.

I voted to help fund progress on the alternate Highway 95 from Interstate 40 to State Route 68 and, in the process, engaged in a little horse trading to get the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to eliminate flood problems along our existing Highway 95 from Camp Mohave to El Rodeo and near Joy Lane. I have also worked to expand Vanderslice Road as an alternate route for our congested Highway 95 from Mohave Valley into Bullhead City.

ADOT has quietly done a lot of things for District 2. We have a wonderful relationship with those people. When I asked ADOT to do a traffic study on Highway 95 in front of Mohave Community College, they set up the car counter. The study revealed a light is needed and we are now discussing a way to get that placed. I lobbied hard for a light on the highway at King Street, and they followed through.

District 2 has come a long way in the last six years. Along with working to get new businesses to relocate to our area, we have also worked to take care of residents who may need a little help. I pushed for and received assistance for Affordable Housing. I directed the use of Community Development Block Grant funds for renovation on homes of the elderly and disabled in Mohave Valley, Golden Valley and other areas of my district.

I sought and achieved funding for our Arizona Veterans Memorial and, in 2002, I was presented a Luke Award for my support for fellow veterans.

Some progress is achieved, however, by stopping negative impacts to the county. For instance, methamphetamine is as destructive as a terrorist's bomb to our civilization. I have and will continue to do everything possible to wipe meth from our area. I support the needs of our law enforcement, justice system and jails in dealing with the problem. I joined with the County Supervisors Association, including every county in Arizona, in supporting and funding the Arizona Meth Project to educate our young people about this tragic and deadly situation. I also got the Board of Supervisors to present $50,000 to help fund the MethSmart program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Colorado River. By joining forces, we can save a lot of young lives.

Last year, I had several residents tell me about problems they were having in their neighborhoods concerning nighttime construction. That led to the county's first noise ordinance.

One of the problems I have had is that quite often people will make a complaint and want the problem solved overnight. Or they want a knee-jerk decision made. This is not the way our democracy works and it is not my style to jump on one side or another without fully understanding the problem.

Several years ago, it came to my attention that some people were bringing in human waste, biosolids, to fertilize farmland in the Valley. I brought both sides of that situation together to state their cases. Through the county, I investigated other areas that had dealt with the problem and researched the pertinent laws of our side of the River. The conclusion of the investigation was that this stuff was detrimental to our environment. I took all of the evidence I had gathered and, with the help of other officials, we were able to stop the use of that product in Mohave Valley.

I believe it my duty to listen to all sides of every issue before I make a judgment. I must consider that an immediate action might solve one problem but could create several more. And creating and following a long-term plan that takes into account fiscal, social and environmental necessities is mandatory to good government.

I believe this philosophy is responsible for my part of the positive achievements we have made during the last six years in Mohave County. I am also very proud of our Mohave County employees who deliver professional services to constituents while finding many ways to save taxpayer dollars.

Mohave County District 2 is a great place to live and shop. We have suburban, semi-rural and farming areas for residents. We have the Colorado River and Lake Mohave as well as our beautiful mountain scenery. There are wonderful civic, fraternal and social organizations available for anyone who wants to make a difference in this community. I am happy to live here and proud to represent all of you. I enjoy hearing from residents and am always glad to assist in any way I can. I can be reached at 758-0713.