Inside Pima County with Rex ScottPima County Facilities Management
In this episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott, we speak with the Director of Facilities Management, Tony Cisneros. Facilities management is one of the most essential yet least visible functions of local government. While residents may primarily interact with public services such as libraries, health clinics, courts, public parking lots, and administrative offices, the successful operation of these facilities depends on a dedicated team working behind the scenes to ensure our facilities remain safe, functional, efficient, and accessible. In the discussion between Director Cisneros and Supervisor Rex Scott, the critical role of Pima County Facilities Management is highlighted, revealing the complexity and scale of managing the county's physical infrastructure and supporting thousands of employees who deliver services to the public every day.
Director Cisneros has more than four decades of experience with Pima County. Beginning his career as a trade helper and advancing through multiple operational and leadership roles, he possesses a unique understanding of the department's responsibilities and challenges. His career trajectory reflects deep institutional knowledge and a commitment to public service that has shaped the department's culture and success. Through firsthand experience, Tony understands the needs of frontline employees and the importance of maintaining the county's infrastructure in a reliable and cost-effective manner.
A key theme emerging from the discussion is the department's commitment to operational reliability. Facilities Management operates continuously, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, because the buildings and services it supports cannot pause. Emergency repairs, weather-related damage, infrastructure failures, and urgent operational needs require immediate attention regardless of weekends or holidays. This constant readiness ensures that critical public services remain available to residents and that county employees can perform their duties without interruption.
Another major focus of the conversation is sustainability and responsible stewardship of public resources. Through energy management initiatives, solar energy projects, HVAC modernization, water conservation efforts, and strategic infrastructure investments, Facilities Management contributes directly to county climate and sustainability goals. Projects such as solar installations at the Abrams Health Clinic and improvements to cooling systems in downtown facilities demonstrate how operational efficiency can simultaneously reduce costs, conserve resources, and provide long-term benefits to taxpayers.
Ultimately, the interview provides valuable insight into a department whose work often goes unnoticed but is indispensable to the functioning of county government. By maintaining infrastructure, supporting departmental operations, responding to emergencies, and advancing sustainability initiatives, Facilities Management helps ensure that Pima County can effectively serve its residents. The discussion underscores the importance of recognizing the skilled professionals whose behind-the-scenes efforts sustain the public facilities and services that communities rely upon every day.
