Report Date: May 18, 2026
Prepared For: Public Distribution
Source: Official MCBOS Agendas, Maricopa County Records
THE HEADLINE: They’re Meeting ON A SUNDAY
This is NOT normal. In the past 16 months of meetings (253 total), the Board of Supervisors has never held a Sunday session.
Normal Schedule: Monday (closed/executive) + Wednesday (public/formal)
This Week: Sunday (closed) → Monday (budget) → Wednesday (votes)
Why This Matters: Closed-door Sunday meetings minimize public attendance and media coverage before major decisions.
THE THREE-DAY AGENDA
SUNDAY, MAY 18 — Closed Executive Session (9:30 AM, Sullivan Conference Room)
You Can’t Attend This One
The board is meeting behind closed doors to discuss:
| Topic | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Election Lawsuits | Outside lawyers hired for “litigation and settlement discussions” — your tax dollars paying for closed-door deals |
| Stadium District Deal | Intergovernmental agreement with Treasurer’s office — potential tax implications |
| Procurement & Contracts | How the county buys goods and services — billions in spending authority |
| Election Administration | Board authority over elections — who decides what |
Who’s In The Room:
- Kory Langhofer & Steve Tully (private election lawyers)
- Scott Jarrett (Elections Director)
- County Attorney’s Office
- County Manager’s Office
Red Flag: When politicians hire outside lawyers and hold Sunday meetings, it usually means they’re trying to settle something controversial before anyone notices.
MONDAY, MAY 18 — Informal Budget Session (9:30 AM, Supervisors’ Auditorium)
The $4.16 Billion Decision Day
What They’re Voting On:
| Budget Item | Your Money |
|---|---|
| Maricopa County FY 2027 | $4,157,433,254 |
| Flood Control District | $121,820,725 |
| Library District | $46,009,440 |
| Street Lighting Districts | (various) |
What This Means For You:
- Property taxes will be set based on this budget
- Public hearing scheduled for June 22 (mark your calendar)
- Final tax levy vote August 17
The Catch: They’re calling this “tentative,” but it’s the framework that becomes final. By the time June 22 rolls around, the deals are already done.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 — Formal Meeting (9:30 AM, Supervisors’ Auditorium)
96 Items — The Real Action
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (Your Neighborhood Could Change)
- Val Vista & Chandler Heights (District 1)
- Agricultural land → 240+ homes
- Developer: Ray Law Firm/GST Non Sub-Trust
- Traffic impact: Major intersection expansion required
- Arizona Self Storage (District 1)
- Industrial development near residential areas
- Storage facility zoning approval
- Framework 2040 Comprehensive Plan
- County-wide development blueprint through 2040
- Affects where housing, jobs, and infrastructure go
ELECTIONS SPENDING (Items 38-39)
- $76,000 for replacement election scanners
- Precinct committeeman appointments (partisan positions)
APPOINTMENTS (Who Gets Power)
- Beau Lane → Industrial Development Authority (5-year term through 2031)
- This board issues tax-exempt bonds for private development
- No public vote on these appointments
COURT APPOINTMENTS
- Multiple “Judge Pro Tempore” elevations
- These judges handle cases when elected judges are unavailable
ANIMAL WELFARE (Items 41-44)
- $35,000+ in agreements with “New Hope” rescue organizations
- Supports veteran service dogs, senior pet adoption, shelter operations
WITHDRAWN
- Fieldhouse Community Facilities District (Item 10) — applicant pulled request
WHY THE SUNDAY MEETING IS SUSPICIOUS
Pattern Analysis:
- 253 meetings analyzed (Jan 2025 – Apr 2026)
- Sunday meetings: ZERO until now
- Saturday meetings: Only 2 (both special/emergency)
What Sunday Meetings Accomplish:
- Zero public attendance — Most citizens don’t check for Sunday government meetings
- Minimal media coverage — Newsrooms understaffed on Sundays
- Reduced transparency — Decisions made before weekly news cycle begins
- Strategic timing — Major budget votes Tuesday/Wednesday after closed Sunday prep
The Real Question:
What election lawsuit settlement is so urgent it requires a Sunday session before the budget votes?
THE MONEY TRAIL
Budget Breakdown:
| Fund | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| General County Operations | ~$3.8 billion | Property taxes, sales taxes, state/federal funds |
| Flood Control District | $121.8 million | Property tax levy |
| Library District | $46 million | Property tax levy |
| Improvement Districts | Various | Direct assessments on affected properties |
What You’re NOT Being Told:
- Line-item details buried in 4,000+ page budget documents
- Specific vendor contracts approved in Executive Session
- Settlement amounts for election-related lawsuits
- Outside lawyer fees (Langhofer/Tully billing rates unknown)
ACTION ITEMS FOR CITIZENS
Immediate:
- Request Executive Session transcript — Arizona law requires public disclosure of any votes taken
- Attend Wednesday’s Formal Meeting — 96 items = major decisions
- Public Comment Wednesday — Fill out speaker card, 3 minutes to address the board
This Week:
- Review budget documents at clerkofboard.maricopa.gov
- Check your property tax bill — These budgets directly affect your taxes
- Track the June 22 hearing — Last real chance for public input before taxes set
Questions to Ask:
- Why was Sunday chosen for Executive Session?
- What election lawsuit requires outside lawyers?
- Who is Beau Lane and why does he get a 5-year appointment?
- Which companies are supplying the $76,000 in election equipment?
- Will any supervisors recuse themselves from votes affecting their business interests?
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WATCH
Supervisors with Active Concerns:
| Supervisor | District | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Stewart | 1 | Businesses: GameDay Men’s Health, Concept2Completion LLC — healthcare industry overlap |
| Thomas Galvin | 2 | GPEC board member — votes on infrastructure benefiting his organization |
| Kate Brophy McGee | 3 | Valleywise Health board — healthcare contracts |
Question: Will any of these supervisors recuse themselves from votes affecting their outside business interests?
CONTACT INFORMATION
Clerk of the Board:
Juanita Garza
Phone: (602) 506-3766
Email: clerkboard@maricopa.gov
Address: 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Public Comment:
Fill out speaker card at meeting
Or email: clerkboard@maricopa.gov
Meeting Location:
Supervisors’ Auditorium
205 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Live Stream:
Check maricopa.gov day of meeting
YOUR RIGHTS
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 38-431):
- Agendas must be posted 24 hours in advance
(Done) - Public has right to attend open meetings (Except Sunday Executive Session)
- Executive sessions limited to specific legal purposes (Being tested)
- Public comment allowed at formal meetings (Wednesday)
- Records are public documents (Request them)
BOTTOM LINE
This three-day meeting marathon is designed to:
- Hide controversial election litigation decisions on Sunday
- Rush through $4.16 billion in spending Monday-Wednesday
- Lock in tax levies before public opposition can organize
The Sunday meeting is the red flag. Everything else follows from whatever deal gets cut behind closed doors.
This report is based on official Maricopa County Board of Supervisors agendas published May 17-18, 2026. All figures and quotes are from official documents.
Share this report. Attend Wednesday’s meeting. Ask questions.
Prepared by investigative research using public records.
For verification: maricopa.gov/324/Board-of-Supervisors-Meeting-Information
