Based on this study, Phoenix has offered additional recommendations in three areas - Revenue Enhancements, Expense Control, and Human Resource Policies. Chief Financial Officer Ronald Morris, who led the County's successful financial turnaround, believes the County's financial health will remain strong over the next five years. The pledge of no real estate tax rate increases was upheld and significant annual budget surpluses were generated in each of the past four years. This was accomplished through the enhancement of non-property tax revenue sources and the control of expenses, particularly in the area of employee costs, the County's largest expense. Consistent with good management practices, many other employee measurements have improved.
Employee grievances are down, as are lost workdays and workmen's compensation claims.
This is significant as employee costs represent nearly 70 percent of the General Fund. Increasing the annual growth of non-tax revenue from 3.3 percent to 9.8 percent for the same time period. This was accomplished due to enhanced management of the County's cash balances, reduction in receivables, and better matching of fees to actual costs. Delcard ownership buys firm back from Conectiv Conectiv is getting out of the construction business. The utility is selling its mechanical contracting operations back to the original owners.