Departments
Residents, business owners, and visitors often need to know which county office to contact for a specific issue—whether it is about property taxes, court cases, public health services, or animal control. This guide explains how county departments are generally organized by function and provides an easy-to-scan directory of departments and phone numbers so you can quickly reach the right office.
How County Departments Support Daily Life and Community Needs
County departments handle many of the practical services that keep daily life running smoothly. Public safety and justice offices deal with law enforcement, courts, and legal representation. Other departments focus on community services such as public health, human services, housing, and early childhood programs.
At the same time, internal service departments manage finances, technology, and facilities so that frontline agencies can operate effectively. Understanding this structure helps you connect your specific need—like filing court papers, licensing a pet, or asking about a floodplain—to the appropriate department.
Public Safety, Courts, and Legal Services
If you are dealing with criminal or civil matters, several justice-related departments may be involved. The Sheriff, Justice Courts, Superior Court, and Adult Probation handle law enforcement, court operations, and supervision of individuals on probation. The County Attorney prosecutes criminal cases and advises county offices, while the Public Defender, Legal Defender, Legal Advocate, Public Advocate, and Public Defense Services offer court-appointed legal representation to people who cannot afford a private attorney.
Support functions such as the Law Library assist with legal research, and Constables serve court documents and carry out certain court orders. Correctional Health provides medical services to those in county jail facilities, and the Medical Examiner and Medical Examiner Investigations handle death investigations.
Health, Human Services, Housing, and Community Support
For personal or family needs, multiple departments focus on health and human services. Public Health addresses disease prevention, clinics, immunizations, and health promotion programs. Human Services connects residents to assistance with basic needs and supportive programs, while Head Start offers early childhood education and family support.
Housing Authority Administration manages housing assistance and related programs for qualifying residents. Public Fiduciary may be involved when vulnerable adults require a guardian or when estates must be administered without a willing or able relative. Animal Care & Control handles stray animals, adoptions, and animal welfare issues that affect both public health and neighborhood safety.
Land Use, Environment, Transportation, and Parks
Many questions about property, construction, or outdoor spaces are handled by departments focused on land and infrastructure. The Assessor sets property values for taxation, while Planning & Development oversees zoning and building permits. Environmental Services regulates environmental health concerns such as food safety, water quality, and waste systems. Air Quality monitors and enforces air pollution standards.
Flood Control District works to reduce flood risks through planning and infrastructure, and Transportation (MCDOT) manages county roads, traffic operations, and transportation projects. Parks & Recreation maintains regional parks and outdoor recreation opportunities that benefit residents and visitors throughout the county. Real Estate manages county-owned property transactions and related records.
County Leadership, Finance, and Internal Operations
Some departments focus on governing, budgeting, and running internal systems that support all other offices. The Board of Supervisors sets policy and provides overall direction, while the County Manager oversees day-to-day operations. Government Relations coordinates with other government entities.
The Budget Office, Finance, and Treasurer work together on financial planning, accounting, and collection of property taxes. Internal Audit reviews operations for efficiency and compliance. Human Resources and Employee Benefits support the county workforce. Procurement Services manages purchasing, while Facilities Management and Security Services handle county buildings and security. Risk Management monitors safety and insurance matters. Technology provides the information technology infrastructure used across departments. Communications shares official information with the public and media.
Education, Elections, Libraries, and Community Governance
For education-related questions, the School Superintendent oversees certain county-level education functions and works with school districts. Library District operates public libraries and services that support literacy and lifelong learning.
When it comes to democratic participation, Elections administers voting processes and election operations, and Recorder manages public records and documents such as real estate recordings; that office is also commonly involved in voter registration records. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and Boards & Commissions support public meetings, agendas, and advisory bodies, while the Clerk of the Court maintains court records. The Industrial Development Authority helps support economic development through financing tools. The Integrated Criminal Justice Information System improves information sharing among justice partners.
Comprehensive Directory of Departments and Phone Numbers
| Department | Services (Overview) | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Probation | Supervises adults on probation and supports compliance with court-ordered conditions. | 602-506-7249 |
| Air Quality | Monitors air pollution, issues permits, and enforces air quality regulations. | 602-506-6010 |
| Animal Care & Control | Manages shelters, pet licensing, animal investigations, and adoption services. | 602-506-7387 |
| Arizona Criminal Justice Commission | Coordinates criminal justice funding, data, and policy support among justice agencies. | 602-364-1147 |
| Arizona@Work East Valley | Provides job search help, training, and workforce services in the East Valley. | 602-372-9700 |
| Arizona@Work West Valley | Offers employment assistance, training, and employer services in the West Valley. | 602-372-4200 |
| Assessor | Determines property values for tax purposes and maintains assessment records. | 602-506-3406 |
| Board of Supervisors | Sets county policy, adopts budgets, and represents residents in five supervisorial districts. | 602-506-3415 |
| Boards & Commissions | Manages appointed boards and commissions that advise on county programs and policies. | 602-506-3766 |
| Budget Office | Develops and monitors the county budget and long-term financial planning. | 602-506-7280 |
| Clerk of the Board of Supervisors | Prepares agendas, minutes, and records for Board of Supervisors meetings. | 602-506-3766 |
| Clerk of the Court | Maintains court records, filings, and certain court-related payments and services. | 602-372-5375 |
| Communications | Handles public information, media relations, and countywide communications. | 602-506-6453 |
| Constables | Serves legal papers and carries out certain court orders, such as writs and evictions. | 602-506-1843 |
| Contract Counsel | Coordinates private attorneys who provide court-appointed legal representation. | 602-506-7228 |
| Correctional Health | Provides medical, dental, and mental health care for people in county correctional facilities. | 602-876-7100 |
| County Attorney | Prosecutes criminal cases and provides legal counsel to county departments. | 602-506-3411 |
| County Manager | Oversees daily county operations and implements policies set by the Board of Supervisors. | 602-506-3415 |
| Elections | Administers elections, ballot processes, and election information for voters. | 602-506-1511 |
| Emergency Management | Plans for, coordinates, and supports response to emergencies and disasters. | 602-273-1411 |
| Employee Benefits | Manages benefit programs for county employees, such as health and retirement plans. | 602-506-1010 |
| Environmental Services | Regulates environmental health, including food safety, water systems, and related inspections. | 602-506-6616 |
| Facilities Management | Maintains, repairs, and manages county buildings and physical facilities. | 602-506-1141 |
| Finance | Handles county accounting, financial reporting, and payments to vendors. | 602-506-3561 |
| Flood Control District | Designs and maintains flood control structures and manages floodplain programs. | 602-506-1501 |
| Government Relations | Serves as liaison with local, state, and federal governments on legislative and policy matters. | 602-506-3416 |
| Head Start | Provides early childhood education and family support services for eligible children. | 602-372-3700 |
| Housing Authority Administration | Manages housing assistance and related programs for qualifying residents. | 602-744-4500 |
| Human Resources | Oversees hiring, classification, employee relations, and HR services. | 602-506-3755 |
| Human Services | Connects residents to social services, assistance programs, and community support resources. | 602-506-5911 |
| Industrial Development Authority | Facilitates bond financing and similar tools to support economic and community development. | 602-506-1888 |
| Integrated Criminal Justice Information System | Supports information sharing and technology coordination among criminal justice agencies. | 602-506-5053 |
| Internal Audit | Conducts audits and reviews to promote accountability and effective use of public funds. | 602-506-1585 |
| Justice Courts | Handles limited-jurisdiction matters such as traffic, small claims, and certain criminal cases. | 602-372-6300 |
| Law Library | Offers legal research materials and assistance to the public, attorneys, and court users. | 602-506-7353 |
| Legal Advocate | Provides court-appointed legal representation in specified case types. | 602-506-4111 |
| Legal Defender | Delivers defense services to eligible individuals in criminal and related cases. | 602-506-8800 |
| Library District | Operates public library branches and services that support reading and lifelong learning. | 602-652-3000 |
| Medical Examiner | Conducts death investigations and autopsies in certain circumstances. | 602-506-3322 |
| Medical Examiner Investigations | Responds to scenes and gathers information to support medical examiner casework. | 602-506-1138 |
| Parks & Recreation | Manages regional parks, trails, and recreational facilities and programs. | 602-506-2930 |
| Planning & Development | Oversees zoning, land-use planning, and building permits in unincorporated areas. | 602-506-3301 |
| Procurement Services | Manages purchasing, bids, and contracts for goods and services. | 602-506-3967 |
| Public Advocate | Represents vulnerable adults and others requiring advocacy in certain legal matters. | 602-372-2815 |
| Public Defender | Provides criminal defense services to eligible residents who cannot afford an attorney. | 602-506-7711 |
| Public Defense Services | Coordinates and supports the various public defense and contract counsel offices. | 602-506-7228 |
| Public Fiduciary | Serves as guardian or conservator when no one else is available, and manages certain estates. | 602-506-5801 |
| Public Health | Delivers public health services such as clinics, immunizations, and disease prevention programs. | 602-506-6900 |
| Real Estate | Manages county real property transactions, leases, and related real estate records. | 602-506-4129 |
| Recorder | Records public documents, including real estate records, and manages certain official records. | 602-506-3535 |
| Risk Management | Oversees insurance, claims, and safety programs to reduce risk to the county. | 602-506-6041 |
| School Superintendent | Provides county-level education services and support for school districts. | 602-506-3866 |
| Security Services | Provides security for county facilities, employees, and visitors. | 602-506-3700 |
| Sheriff | Delivers law enforcement services, operates jails, and provides related public safety functions. | 602-876-1000 |
| Superior Court | Serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction for civil, criminal, family, and other cases. | 602-506-3204 |
| Technology | Supports information technology systems, applications, and networks for county departments. | 602-506-7116 |
| Transportation (MCDOT) | Plans, builds, and maintains county roads, bridges, and transportation projects. | 602-506-8600 |
| Treasurer | Collects property taxes, manages certain investments, and handles treasury functions. | 602-506-8511 |