District 18 Republicans Meeting

March 22, 2007

7:00 P. M.

Mesa Community College Library

Conducting: Matt Tolman, LD18 Chairman

Opening Prayer: Sean Pearce

Pledge of Allegiance: Dinah Lundell

Introduction of Guests:

**Karen Johnson, State Senate

**Mark Anderson, State Legislature

**David Schweikert, County Treasurer

**Mrs. Schweikert

**Don Stapley, County Board of Supervisors

**Janie Thom, Water Board

Legislative Update:

**Mark Anderson - Issues he talked about were budget, revenue sources, youthful sex offenders, illegal aliens, and employers of possible illegal aliens.

**Karen Johnson - Talked about the issues of youthful sex offenders, budget, North American Union (NAU), “Real ID“, and “No Child Left Behind”.

Board of Supervisors Report:

**Don Stapley - Talked about “accommodation schools”.  Said the county is being well-run. All county officials but one are Republicans!

Guest Speaker:

**David Schweikert, Maricopa County Treasurer

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had with a job!”

There are now 4.2 million people living in Maricopa County. We have about 130,000 new people moving in each month, making us the fastest-growing county in the US. We used to be the second fastest-growing, behind Clark County (Las Vegas).

The largest counties in the US are:

1. Los Angeles

2. Cook County (Chicago)

3. It’s almost a tie between Maricopa County and Harris County (Houston).

In Maricopa County, there are 1.5 million parcels we tax.  We are a low property tax county for homeowners, but a high property tax county for commercial property. There are delinquent property taxes on many parcels.

David showed a PowerPoint presentation identifying many parcels in District 18 that are delinquent on their property taxes. This is often caused by having one property with two parcel numbers. The property owner is usually unaware of the second parcel, and thus does not take responsibility for it. David is trying to notify property owners and get the parcels linked.

A GIS Map system is now available on his website showing these delinquent properties. To see a photo map of your house, go to “Maricopa.gov”, then “Treasurer”, then “Taxes” or www.Treasurer.Maricopa.Gov.

Next Meeting:

Thursday, April 26, 2007

7:00 P. M.

MCC Library