Arizona Game and Fish Commission to hold all ’09 meetings in Phoenix to save costs
Arizona Game and Fish Commission to hold all ’09 meetings in Phoenix to save costs
Dec. 12, 2008
Options considered to facilitate public participation from other areas of state
In an effort to reduce costs in the current economic climate, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission has decided to hold all of its regularly scheduled public meetings in 2009 at the Game and Fish Department headquarters in Phoenix.
The decision, made at the Dec. 6 commission meeting in Casa Grande, comes in the midst of a state budget deficit that has the agency taking a variety of measures to reduce costs. Game and Fish officials estimate the cost savings of this measure will be approximately $30,000 or more in site rental, travel and related costs.
The commission emphasized its commitment to being accessible and providing good customer service to the substantial wildlife constituent bases in other parts of the state, including Tucson, Yuma, Kingman, Flagstaff, Payson, the White Mountains and other areas.
“During these tough economic times, we are doing everything we can to reduce costs in order to continue to meet programmatic needs,” said Commission Chair Bill McLean. “However, this commission is committed to its constituents and their participation in our open meetings. We are looking into a number of options that will still allow folks to participate in these meetings – regardless of the meeting location.”
The commission currently rotates its monthly meetings among various locations throughout the state (no meeting is held in July or November). For 2009, meetings previously scheduled for Pinetop, Flagstaff, Prescott, Casa Grande, Tucson and Yuma will now take place at the Phoenix headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway.
“We fully understand that all of Arizona’s citizens have an interest in wildlife conservation, not just residents in the Metro Phoenix area, and we want people from all parts of the state to be engaged,” McLean said. “But given the budget situation we’re facing and the availability of a large meeting facility at the department headquarters, we felt this action was necessary for 2009.”
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission makes rules and regulations for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife and fisheries resources, and safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle operations for the benefit of the citizens of Arizona. The commission appoints the director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the director, as the department’s chief administrative officer, provides general supervision and control of all department functions and activities.
The commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor pursuant to ARS 38-211. No more than one commissioner may be from any one county, and no more than three may be from the same political party. Each commissioner serves a five-year term, staggered.
For a listing of commission meetings, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission under “schedule.”
