Welcome to this latest episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott. In this installment, we are joined by Constance Hargrove, Director of the Pima County Elections Department, for an in-depth and wide-ranging conversation about how elections are administered in one of Arizona’s largest counties. The discussion begins with Constance’s unexpected entry into the elections field—an opportunity that emerged when she was working at the Virginia Legislature and was invited to join the City of Richmond’s elections office. What started as an unfamiliar role grew into nearly two decades of experience, followed by time in seminary and later positions in Chesterfield County that ultimately led to her becoming Director of Elections for Pima County in 2022.

The conversation focuses on the structure of election responsibilities in Pima County, clarifying the distinct duties of the County Recorder’s Office—such as voter registration, list maintenance, and early ballot handling—and providing an overview of the Elections Department, which is responsible for ballot processing, vote center operations, election programming, equipment testing, and tabulation.

Constance provides a detailed look at how early ballots are processed, how damaged or unreadable ballots are duplicated, and how vote centers are identified, evaluated, and maintained across the county. She explains the intricacies of ballot-on-demand technology, electronic poll books, connectivity challenges in remote locations, and the extensive training, staffing, and coordination required for both permanent and temporary election workers. We also walk through the safeguards built into every election, including logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, chain-of-custody procedures, and the creation of the official canvass. Constance outlines how each step ensures accuracy and transparency before results ever reach the Board of Supervisors for certification.

Finally, the discussion highlights recent improvements such as Pima County’s new election night reporting platform and the optional early ballot drop-off verification process. Constance also shares her enthusiasm for launching a voter academy in the coming years to further improve public understanding of elections.

Through this discussion, listeners gain a clear, accessible overview of the complex work required to run secure, accurate, and transparent elections in Pima County.

Welcome to the latest episode of Inside Pima County, where today’s conversation highlights one of the County’s most far-reaching and community-centered departments: Parks and Recreation. Joining in this conversation is Vic Pereira, the department’s director, whose path to this role is grounded in service, leadership, and a deep connection to the community he now helps shape.

Pereira’s journey to Pima County began with a distinguished 31-year career as an Air Force officer, culminating in his assignment as Deputy Commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. In that role, he was responsible for community engagement, forging relationships with civic leaders across Tucson. As he approached retirement, a family decision to remain in the area created an opportunity for a new chapter. That led Pereira, first, to the Health Department, where he served as Deputy Director, and later to Parks and Recreation, a position he assumed in 2022.

Today, Pereira oversees a department whose footprint stretches across Pima County’s 9,200 square miles, touching nearly every community and every age group. The Parks and Recreation Department is made-up of 42 urban parks, 12 community centers, nine pools, a shooting sports complex, a golf course, and the iconic Chuck Huckleberry Loop. But Pereira emphasizes that beyond the parks, pools, and programs, the department’s true strength lies in its people: the hundreds of dedicated professionals and seasonal staff who maintain facilities, teach children, support families, and often go above and beyond in moments that matter most.

In this episode, Pereira shares some stories of staff, outlines the departments newly completed master plan, discusses priorities for rural and fast-growing communities like Vail and Catalina, and offers a look at upcoming initiatives—from a countywide e-bike study to future accreditation. He also highlights beloved programs such as youth aquatics, adult fitness opportunities, seasonal community events, and the critical role of the Parklands Foundation in supporting Parks and Recreation.

Through the conversation, one theme stands out: Parks and Recreation is not only about infrastructure and amenities; it’s about enriching lives. Pereira’s leadership reflects that belief, and his team’s work demonstrates it daily. This episode offers a closer look at the department’s mission, its people, and its plans for a future that continues to serve Pima County residents with excellence, accessibility, and heart.

In this episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott, we take a slight detour from our usual conversations with Pima County program and department directors to highlight the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension. In this episode, we’re joined by Jenn Parlin, who is currently serving as the interim Cooperative Extension Director. We’re delighted to have her with us to shed light on this unique and tremendously impactful resource.

Jenn found her way to Arizona and chose to stay because of our iconic mountains and sunshine. Jenn’s journey with Cooperative Extension began in 2010, following her time at the University of Florida, where she earned degrees in business and sociology. After running business operations for her team, she steadily moved through roles as business manager, program coordinator, faculty member, and now serves as the interim director.

Cooperative Extension, she explains, is rooted in the mission of land‑grant universities, institutions established to ensure that education and innovation reach beyond campus walls and into surrounding communities. For Arizona, the University of Arizona fulfills that role, and since 1915 Cooperative Extension has served as a bridge between university expertise and the everyday needs of residents across all 15 counties and multiple tribal communities.

Jenn walks us through the four pillars of Cooperative Extension: Family and Consumer Sciences; Agriculture and Natural Resources; 4‑H Youth Development; and Tribal Extension programs. Whether it provides support for mental health, nutrition, financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, youth leadership, or culturally relevant community engagement, Cooperative Extension is designed to serve people across their entire lifespan—from youth discovering vegetables at Tucson Village Farm to older adults seeking gardening advice from the Master Gardeners program.

With programs ranging from urban agriculture at Tucson Village Farm and culinary education at the Garden Kitchen, to wildfire mitigation, invasive species management, livestock support, and Smartscape trainings for landscapers, Cooperative Extension’s reach is broad and intentionally community‑centered. Many programs are free, tailored to local needs, and enhanced by an extraordinary network of volunteers.

In this episode, Jenn highlights how Cooperative Extension collaborates closely with Pima County, expands access to nutritious food, engages youth through hands‑on learning, and supports families with practical tools to thrive. Whether you’re two, or one hundred and two, Cooperative Extension has something for you—and Jenn is here to help us understand just how valuable that is.