Maricopa County opened its own service counter within Phoenix City Hall this week in a move designed to create a “one-stop shop” and make it easier for residents to obtain permits and do business with government. The counter is located on the second floor of Phoenix City Hall, which is located at 200 W. Washington St., on the same floor as the Phoenix Planning and Development Department.
In addition to permitting services for the city, the Maricopa County Environmental Services and Air Quality departments will now be available at city hall for various permitting services, including restaurants, special events, dust control and burn permits. The city and county officials on hand for the ribbon cutting and official opening ceremonies stressed the partnership would add to the convenience of the public.
“There is a natural friction between those who regulate and those who are regulated,” explained Supervisor Denny Barney, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “It is up to us in government to manage that friction so that business can move forward rather than slowing it down.”
“When working with our businesses and residents, we need to remove roadblocks and make it as easy as possible for them to do business,” said Vice Mayor Bill Gates, chairman of the Finance, Efficiency, Economy and Sustainability Subcommittee. “We did just that; we streamlined the development process by opening a county permitting counter in City Hall. I look forward to identifying additional partner opportunities to better serve our customers.”
The county counter will be open during city business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The effort is rare in Arizona and nearly impossible in many communities due to the inability of officials to put aside their own lust for power and control on behalf of the taxpayers.