đź“‹ MEETING AT A GLANCE
| Total Agenda Items | 117 (Items 1–117) |
| Consent Agenda | Items 11–105 (94 items) |
| Regular Agenda | Items 106–112 (7 items) |
| Improvement District | Items 113 |
| Flood Control District | Items 114–116 |
| Public Comment | Item 117 |
| Contracts on Agenda | 109+ contract/control numbers |
| Financial Exposure | ~$50M+ in disclosed spending |
| Statutory Hearings | 3 (Items 7–10) |
| Setting of Hearings | 4 (Items 101–104) |
🚨 CITIZEN ALERT: ITEMS REQUIRING ATTENTION
🔴 HIGH PRIORITY — Items Already Discussed in Secret (Executive Session, Sept 28)
Five items were heard in closed Executive Session on September 28, 2026, and are now appearing for public rubber-stamp approval. Citizens were excluded from the discussion, and the board is expected to vote without public deliberation:
| Item | Description | Contract | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | Quarterly RICO Expenditure Application (FY27 Q2) | C-19-27-030-X-00 | $166,500 |
| 107 | Settlement — Gallagher & Kennedy v. City of Phoenix | C-75-27-003-X-00 | $108,692 |
| 108 | Conflict Waiver for Taft Law | C-19-27-041-X-00 | — |
| 109 | Settlement — Zoning Violations at 16712 W. Wildcat Dr | C-19-27-044-X-00 | — |
| 110 | Settlement — White v. Boggs | C-19-27-043-X-00 | $45,000 |
| 111 | Court Action — Medical Examiners Conference | C-19-27-042-X-00 | — |
Why this matters: These items involve RICO funds (asset forfeiture), a law firm conflict waiver, and litigation settlements totaling $320,192+. The board already decided these in private. Your only opportunity to comment is before the vote — and only if the Chair allows it.
🔴 CONFLICT WAIVER — TAFT LAW (Item 108)
What it is: Approve a conflict waiver allowing Taft Law attorney Craig Morgan to represent a client in a campaign finance complaint.
Why it’s flagged:
- This is the second Taft Law conflict waiver in two weeks (see September 28 Executive Session, Item 3)
- The September 28 waiver was for Taft Law attorney Mike Liburdi on a different campaign finance matter
- Taft Law now represents the County Attorney on multiple matters while also representing private clients in campaign finance disputes
- Campaign finance intersects with elections, which intersects with Supervisor interests
- Undisclosed: Which client? Which campaign? Which third-party complaint?
Questions citizens should ask:
- Who is the client Craig Morgan is representing?
- Which campaign finance complaint is this about?
- Does this complaint involve any current or former candidate for Supervisor?
- Why was this discussed in Executive Session rather than publicly?
🔴 VULTURE MOUNTAIN — $28.9M CONTRACT MODIFICATION (Item 81)
What it is: Contract modifications adding $53,119 to an already massive construction contract, bringing the total to $28,928,010.12.
Details:
- Contract #240064-DBB with TSG Constructors, LLC
- Modifications 30, 31, and 32 address:
- Thicker concrete floor slabs and added reinforcement (designer updated details)
- Extended building permits for CXT buildings in Phase II and III
- Extended Builder’s Risk insurance (Aug 2026 → July 2027)
- Located near Wickenburg (District 4 — Lesko’s district)
Pattern note: This contract has been modified at least 32 times. That’s not project management — that’s scope creep with a price tag.
🔴 WORKERS’ COMP — $7M MULTI-AWARD CONTRACT (Item 82)
What it is: New contract for workers’ compensation bill review, pharmacy benefits, and physical therapy.
Details:
- Estimated $7,000,000 over 2 years (through Sept 30, 2028)
- Up to 4 renewal options (potentially $14M+ total)
- Effective October 1, 2026
- Replaces contract 200167-RFP
- Awarded to:
- Arizona Therapy Providers dba PTPN
- CorVel Healthcare Corporation
Why it matters: Workers’ comp is a massive recurring expense. This contract was not in the public budget hearings. Citizens had no input on which providers the county uses for injured worker healthcare.
đź’° FINANCIAL EXPOSURE SUMMARY
| Category | Items | Approximate Total |
|---|---|---|
| Construction (Vulture Mountain) | Item 81 | $28,928,010 |
| Workers’ Comp / Healthcare | Item 82 | $7,000,000 |
| Education Grants | Items 84, 85, 86 | $5,387,586 + $872,057 |
| HOME Grant Amendments | Items 90–91 | $10,143,195 |
| HOME Grant Mods | Items 92–93 | ~$6,000,000 |
| CDBG/ESG Homelessness | Items 94–102 | ~$6,500,000 |
| RICO Expenditure | Item 106 | $166,500 |
| Settlements | Items 107, 110 | $153,692 |
| Court Revenue Distribution | Item 53 | $5,338,282 |
| Transportation Contracts | Items 95–100 | ~$12,000,000 |
| GRAND TOTAL | ~$82,000,000+ |
📊 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (106–112)
These are the items the board will actively discuss and vote on. All others are consent agenda (rubber stamp unless pulled):
Item 106: RICO Expenditure Application
- Amount: $166,500 (State funds)
- Purpose: FY2027 Q2 RICO (asset forfeiture) spending
- Heard in Executive Session Sept 28
- Question: What specific cases or equipment is this funding?
Item 107: Gallagher & Kennedy Settlement
- Amount: $108,692
- Case: Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A. v. City of Phoenix, et al., CV-16-04447
- Action: Execute Consent Decree
- Heard in Executive Session Sept 28
- Note: This is a 10-year-old case (filed 2016). Why settle now?
Item 108: Conflict Waiver — Taft Law
- Attorney: Craig Morgan
- Matter: Campaign finance complaint (third-party submitted)
- Heard in Executive Session Sept 28
- 🔴 HIGH CONCERN — See above
Item 109: Zoning Violation Settlement
- Location: 16712 W. Wildcat Dr, Surprise, AZ (District 4 — Lesko)
- Action: Authorize settlement with reduced civil penalties in exchange for remediation
- Heard in Executive Session Sept 28
Item 110: White v. Boggs Settlement
- Amount: $45,000
- Purpose: Resolve plaintiffs’ claim of fees and costs
- Case: CV2023-030666
- Heard in Executive Session Sept 28
Item 111: Medical Examiners Conference
- Action: Authorize expedited court action to use images of rare genetic heart mutation in presentation
- Heard in Executive Session Sept 28
Item 112: E-Bicycle/E-Scooter Ordinance Hearing
- Action: Set public hearing for November 4, 2026
- Ordinance: P-38 — regulates e-bikes and e-scooters in unincorporated areas
- Note: This is a new ordinance — first step toward regulation
🏛️ STATUTORY HEARINGS (Items 7–10)
These are required by law — public hearings where citizens CAN comment:
Item 7: Hopi Vista Irrigation Water Delivery District
- District: 3 (Brophy McGee)
- Action: Hearing on petitions to form new water district
- If approved: Sets hearing for October 20, 2026; appoints 3 trustees
- Location: Northeast Quarter of Section 9, T2N, R3E (near Rio Verde/Fountain Hills area)
Items 8–10: Road Files / Patent Easement Abandonments
- Item 8: Road File A0763 (8th & 9th Avenues) — WITHDRAWN
- Item 9: Patent Easement Abandonment PAB-0320 (District 3)
- Item 10: Patent Easement Abandonment PAB-0321 (District 3)
Note: Road File A0763 is marked “This item will be withdrawn” — likely due to public or internal opposition.
📋 CONSENT AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS (Items 11–105)
These items pass by one motion unless a supervisor pulls them for discussion. Most citizens never know they exist.
Appointments (Items 11–14)
- 11: Vicki Rios → Audit Advisory Committee (District 4)
- 12: Beth Kohler → Board of Health (District 3)
- 13: Emily Sappington → Travel Reduction Program Task Force (District 3)
- 14: Cancellation of 6 irrigation district elections + appointment of trustees (no citizens will vote)
Budget Adjustments (Items 25–31)
Multiple FY2027 budget transfers using A.R.S. §42-17106(B):
- Sheriff vehicle donations and replacements ($150K)
- Indigent defense fund distributions ($5.3M)
- Various department adjustments
Big Contracts (Items 75–83)
- 75: CXT Building Purchase (Mod #5) — additional $66,466
- 81: Vulture Mountain — $28.9M total (Mod #30–32)
- 82: Workers’ Comp services — $7M over 2 years
- 83: Donation of 200 children’s board books ($1,250) — This is on the same agenda as $28M contracts
Homelessness / Housing (Items 88–102)
Massive slate of federal grant amendments for homelessness services:
- HOME Grant amendments: $10M+ for affordable housing developers
- CDBG/ESG amendments: $6M+ for outreach, shelter, case management
- Area Agency on Aging extension: $1M+ for senior independence services
Transportation (Items 95–100)
- Northern Parkway construction admin ($2.55M)
- Loop 101 ICM Readiness Agreement with Peoria
- SRP license for Olive Avenue sidewalk
- Easements and right-of-way acquisitions
Setting of Hearings (Items 101–104)
- 101: Air Quality — EPA regulation incorporation (Dec 9, 2026)
- 102: Peoria County Island Fire District formation (Oct 21, 2026)
- 103: Planning & Zoning — 11 items including Shadow Country Sniper Range, Hassayampa Distribution Center, Wickenburg ILA
- 104: Road File 6047 — The Landings Parcel 2-2 (Nov 4, 2026)
đźš© RED FLAGS & PATTERN ANALYSIS
1. Executive Session Items Returning as Regular Agenda
Pattern: 6 items heard in closed session on Sept 28 now appear for public vote on Sept 30.
Implication: The “public vote” is theater. Decisions were made in secret.
Count: 76 of 76 recorded votes in 2026 have been unanimous. Expect 5-0 on all items.
2. Taft Law Conflict Waivers — Escalating Pattern
Sept 28: Mike Liburdi conflict waiver (campaign finance)
Sept 30: Craig Morgan conflict waiver (campaign finance)
Question: How many campaign finance complaints is Taft Law handling for the County? For whom? Against whom?
3. Vulture Mountain — $28.9M and Climbing
Contract #240064-DBB has been modified 32+ times.
- Original award: Unknown (not disclosed in agenda)
- Current total: $28,928,010.12
- Modifications for: thicker concrete, extended permits, extended insurance
- Location: District 4 (Lesko)
Question: What was the original contract value? Why so many modifications?
4. Workers’ Comp Contract — $7M, No Public Discussion
Item 82 awards a $7M contract with 4 renewal options (potentially $14M+).
- Two awardees: Arizona Therapy Providers / PTPN and CorVel Healthcare
- Replaces existing contract 200167-RFP
- No public hearing. No citizen input.
5. No-Bid / Sole-Source Patterns
Multiple items use “Competition Impracticable” waivers or cooperative purchasing:
- Item 70: SDB Contracting Services ($296,736) — Mohave Cooperative JOC
- Item 75: CXT Building Purchase — “Competition Impracticable”
- Item 80: Asphalt/Energy Products — renewable contract
Question: Why is Maricopa County using “competition impracticable” so frequently for multi-hundred-thousand-dollar contracts?
6. Election Cancellation + Trustee Appointment (Item 14)
Six irrigation water districts are having their November 2026 elections cancelled and trustees appointed by the board.
- Fillmore Place IWDD
- Amberwood Estates IWDD
- Longhorn Ranch IWDD
- Tanner Groves IWDD
- Wild Horse Ranch IWDD
- Rancho Jardines IWDD
Question: Why are citizens being denied the right to vote for their water district trustees?
đź“Ť HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Before the Meeting
- Email comments: agenda.comments@maricopa.gov
- Written comments will be summarized at the meeting
- All comments forwarded to each Board Office
At the Meeting
- Public Comment: Item 117 (end of meeting)
- Time limit: 2 minutes
- Statutory Hearings: Items 7–10 (citizens may speak during these hearings)
- Note: Chair has discretion to expand, limit, or suspend public comment
Key Rule
Under Arizona Open Meeting Law, Board members may not discuss matters raised during public comment. However, individual members may:
- Respond to criticism
- Ask staff to review an issue
- Ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda
🗓️ UPCOMING HEARINGS SET BY THIS MEETING
| Date | Item | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2026 | Item 7 follow-up | Hopi Vista Water District formation |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Item 102 | Peoria County Island Fire District |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Item 103 | Planning & Zoning (11 items) |
| Nov 4, 2026 | Item 104 | Road File 6047 — The Landings |
| Nov 4, 2026 | Item 112 | E-Bicycle/E-Scooter Ordinance P-38 |
| Dec 9, 2026 | Item 101 | Air Quality EPA incorporation |
