|
|
The State of Arizona has been divided into the six regional
Councils of Governments shown above. Click the map to get more information on each.
|
What Is a Council of Governments?
A Council of Governments (COG), or Regional Council, is a public organization encompassing a multi-jurisdictional regional community. A COG serves the local governments and the citizens in the region by
dealing with issues and needs that cross city, town, county and even state boundaries. Mechanisms used to address these issues may include communication, planning, policymaking,
coordination, advocacy and technical assistance.
Why are there COGs in the United States?
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, emphasis was increasingly placed on the need for long-range planning and closer coordination of program activities by governments at
all levels. Federal requirements for planning in areas such as transportation, the environment and human services furthered this need. The establishment of COGs
emerged as the preferred approach to this need in many areas
Arizona Councils of Government
In Arizona, there are six COGs. Through an Executive Order, the planning boundaries were established by Governor Jack Williams in 1970 in response to federal planning
requirements and in an effort to achieve uniformity in various planning areas. COGs, as voluntary associations, have formed within these planning boundaries. In the urban
areas, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Pima Association of Governments are the regional agencies which also serve as the designated
metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) for transportation planning. In the rural areas of Arizona, the COGs perform planning services and direct service functions
such as operating the Area Agency on Aging, the Head Start programs and employment programs.
Central Arizona Association of Governments (CAAG)
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)
Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG)
Pima Association of Governments (PAG)
South Eastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO)
Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG)
Arizona Interactive Mapping
The Maricopa Association of Governments hosts an online, interactive mapping site that provides a wide variety of viewing and reporting functions.
|
