Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Supervisors’ Auditorium, 205 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Meeting Type: Formal
Chair: Kate Brophy McGee (District 3)
Vice Chair: Debbie Lesko (District 4)
Attendance
| Supervisor | District | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kate Brophy McGee | 3 | Present (Chair) |
| Debbie Lesko | 4 | Present (Vice Chair) |
| Mark Stewart | 1 | Present |
| Thomas Galvin | 2 | Present |
| Steve Gallardo | 5 | Present |
Also Present: Juanita Garza (Clerk), Mia Vargas (Minutes Coordinator, remote), Jen Pokorski (County Manager), Brooke Worcester (Legal Counsel)
Executive Summary
The November 4, 2026 Formal Meeting was a 78-item marathon with a Veterans Day ceremony, one Planning and Zoning item, three statutory hearings, and a 56-item consent agenda. Two items were pulled for separate consideration — and one of them produced a rare 4-1 split vote with a procedural twist: Supervisor Debbie Lesko made the motion, then voted against it.
This is the fourth split vote since May 2026, and the first where a motion-maker opposed their own motion. The item — doubling Sheriff’s Office supplemental pay for background investigators working to clear the federal Melendres consent decree backlog — passed anyway with four supervisors in favor.
The meeting also saw the Chandler Heat Relief amendment return after its October 21 failure, this time passing unanimously with a roll call vote. And Supervisor Lesko’s motion dominance hit 97% of all recorded motions since May.
Vote Summary
| Item | Description | Motion By | Second By | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Love’s Travel Stop Z250008 | Lesko | Stewart | 5-0 |
| 7 | Bella Vista Liquor License | Lesko | Gallardo | 5-0 |
| 8a | Road File 6048 (The Landings) | Lesko | Gallardo | 5-0 |
| 8b | Road File 6047 (The Landings) | Lesko | Gallardo | 5-0 |
| 9 | E-Bike Ordinance P-38 | Lesko | Galvin | 5-0 |
| 10-68 (minus 43, 55) | Consent Agenda (56 items) | Lesko | Gallardo | 5-0 |
| 43 | PSB Backlog Pay ($50→$100/hr) | Lesko | Galvin | 4-1 (Lesko NAY) |
| 55 | Chandler Heat Relief Amendment | Stewart | Lesko | 5-0 (Roll Call) |
Motion Maker Distribution: Lesko 11/12 (91.7%), Stewart 1/12 (8.3%)
Cumulative Since May 2026: Lesko 97/100 motions (97.0%)
Key Items
Item 6: Love’s Travel Stop — Zone Change Z250008 (District 4)
Applicant: Heather Dukes, Dukes Law, PLLC / Tonopah I-10 and 411 Ave 160 LLC, The Standard Group, LLC
The Ask: Approve zone change from Rural-43 to C-3 CUPD for a travel center/truck stop at the northwest corner of 411th Avenue and Campbell Avenue in Tonopah.
The Process: The Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0 on October 8, 2026 (motion by Commissioner Rochwalik D3, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence D1). The Board concurred with 10 attached conditions covering site plan conformance, traffic study requirements, engineering review, signage standards, and wastewater provisions.
The Vote:
- Motion by Supervisor Debbie Lesko
- Seconded by Supervisor Mark Stewart
- Unanimous 5-0
Pattern Note: This is a significant commercial development in the far western reaches of District 4. The 10 conditions are standard but notable for requiring traffic study approval before building permits and mandating public sewer before non-residential uses. The unanimous Planning Commission recommendation (7-0, bipartisan) and unanimous Board approval suggests this was uncontroversial.
Item 7: Liquor License — Bella Vista By Angela (District 4)
Applicant: Mario Angelo Rana
The Ask: New Series 12 liquor license for Bella Vista By Angela at 22135 North Mission Drive, Sun City West.
The Vote:
- Motion by Supervisor Debbie Lesko
- Seconded by Supervisor Steve Gallardo
- Unanimous 5-0
Item 8: Road File Declarations — The Landings (District 4)
What It Does: Two road files declaring streets in “The Landings” subdivision into the county road system:
- Road File 6048: Parcel 1-1, 4.60 acres (Book 1526 of Maps, Page 50)
- Road File 6047: Parcel 2-2, 3.69 acres (Book 1526 of Maps, Page 49)
Both located near 195th Avenue and Camelback Road in unincorporated District 4. Authorizes Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) for maintenance.
The Vote:
- Motion by Supervisor Debbie Lesko
- Seconded by Supervisor Steve Gallardo
- Unanimous 5-0
Pattern Note: All three individually considered statutory items (7-9) were in District 4. This isn’t unusual — supervisors bring forward their district items — but it’s worth noting that Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 had no individually considered items on this agenda.
Item 9: E-Bicycle Usage Ordinance P-38
What It Does: Adopts regulations for electric bicycles and electric scooters in unincorporated Maricopa County, effective immediately upon adoption.
The Vote:
- Motion by Supervisor Debbie Lesko
- Seconded by Supervisor Thomas Galvin
- Unanimous 5-0
Context: This ordinance was first previewed at the September 30, 2026 meeting (Item 112 set the hearing for November 4). The board heard public comment and adopted it without amendment. The ordinance regulates e-bike/e-scooter usage, parking, and operation standards in unincorporated areas.
Consent Agenda: Items 10-68 (Minus 43 and 55)
The Motion: “Approve Consent Agenda Items 10 through 68, minus items 43 and 55, to be considered separately.”
- Motion by Debbie Lesko, seconded by Steve Gallardo
- Unanimous 5-0
56 items approved in a single vote. Notable items buried in the block:
| Item | Description | Amount | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Tax Roll Corrections | N/A | C-12-27-005-X-00 |
| 11 | JP Resignation (Anna Huberman) | N/A | C-06-27-136-X-00 |
| 12-14 | District 3 Reappointments | N/A | C-06-27-141/140/142-X-00 |
| 29 | Victim Services Grant | $213,104 | — |
| 31 | Securing the Cities Grant | $187,102 | C-50-27-039-X-00 |
| 34 | Veterans Treatment Court Extension | $29,766 | C-24-26-005-X-01 |
| 38 | DHS Supplemental (STC) | $1,000,000 | C-15-27-003-X-01 |
| 39 | Gila River Tribal Gaming Pass-Through | $1,023,104 | C-18-27-019-X-00 |
| 40 | Salt River Tribal Gaming Pass-Through | $1,298,500 | C-18-27-022-X-00 |
| 42 | PSB Staffing Fund Transfer | $382,831 | C-18-27-024-X-00 |
| 46 | Extreme Weather Survivors | $15,000 | C-22-27-010-X-00 |
| 47 | Gilbert HOME IGA | $621,053 | C-22-27-015-X-00 |
| 49 | Youngtown CDBG Library | $385,000 | C-22-27-016-X-00 |
| 51 | Guadalupe CDC Amendment | $270,000 | C-22-21-061-X-08 |
| 53 | Coverdell Forensic Grant | $10,000 | C-29-27-002-X-00 |
| 57 | Keys to Change OD2A | $229,058 | C-86-26-012-X-02 |
| 58 | OD2A Amendments (2 contracts) | $531,148 | C-86-24-086-X-04 |
| 61 | Safe Site Utility Services | $3,000,000 | C-64-27-050-X-00 |
Why This Matters: $7.1M+ in identified spending approved without individual discussion. The consent agenda mechanism is efficient for routine items, but when it includes million-dollar grants, tribal gaming pass-throughs, and multi-year utility contracts, citizens have no opportunity to ask questions before the vote.
Pulled Items — Separate Consideration
Item 43: Sheriff’s Office PSB Background Investigations Backlog — 4-1
Contract: C-31-26-015-X-02
What It Does: Second amendment increasing temporary supplemental pay for Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) staff working to clear the background investigations backlog under the federal Melendres consent decree. Pay increases from $50/hour to $100/hour for Detention and Law Enforcement Lieutenants and Captains volunteering outside scheduled shifts.
The Vote:
- Motion by Supervisor Debbie Lesko
- Seconded by Supervisor Thomas Galvin
- Ayes: Brophy McGee, Stewart, Galvin, Gallardo (4)
- Nay: Lesko (1)
- Result: PASSED 4-1
The Anomaly: Supervisor Lesko made the motion to consider the item, then voted against it. This is procedurally unusual. Typically, a supervisor making a motion supports it. Possible explanations:
- Parliamentary maneuver: Lesko made the motion to pull it from consent (neutral procedural motion) then voted against approval
- Changed position: Lesko may have intended to support it but changed her mind after discussion
- Strategic positioning: Making the motion ensured the item came before the board, then voting nay for the record
Context: The Melendres consent decree is a long-running federal oversight of MCSO initiated by racial profiling findings. The PSB backlog has been a persistent issue. The pay increase from $50 to $100/hour is substantial — doubling the supplemental rate. The project requires completion within 60 days per investigation with 30-day check-ins.
Pattern Note: This is only the fourth split vote since May 2026 (out of 96 recorded votes). The previous three were:
- July 14, 2026: Data center zoning (4-1, Stewart nay)
- July 15, 2026: Data center zoning (4-1, Stewart nay)
- October 21, 2026: Chandler Heat Relief (2-3 FAILED, then reconsidered)
Citizen Question: Why did Supervisor Lesko make the motion if she intended to vote against it? Was this a genuine change of position, or a procedural maneuver to control which items get pulled from consent?
Item 55: Amendment to IGA with City of Chandler for Heat Relief — 5-0 (Roll Call)
Contract: C-86-24-167-X-02
What It Does: Amendment No. 2 to the Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Chandler and Maricopa County Department of Public Health for Heat Relief services. This amendment makes budget reallocations exceeding 10% between line items (salaries decreased by $111,291; materials/supplies increased by $75,926; space increased by $24,998; indirect costs increased by $20,689).
Background: This is the reconsideration of the October 21 failed item. On October 21, the Chandler Heat Relief amendment FAILED 2-3 after Chair Brophy McGee pulled it from consent and put Supervisor Stewart on the spot to move it. Stewart called the maneuver “performative,” moved approval anyway, and the vote failed (Stewart and Lesko yes; Galvin, Gallardo, and Brophy McGee no). Brophy McGee then immediately moved reconsideration for November 4.
The November 4 Vote:
- Motion by Supervisor Mark Stewart
- Seconded by Supervisor Debbie Lesko
- Unanimous 5-0 (Roll Call: Stewart, Galvin, Lesko, Gallardo, Brophy McGee)
What Changed: Between October 21 and November 4, the three supervisors who voted no (Galvin, Gallardo, Brophy McGee) flipped to yes. No public explanation was given for the reversal. The amendment itself appears unchanged.
Pattern Note: The October 21 maneuver — putting a colleague on the spot, watching the item fail, then using reconsideration to preserve the option — was parliamentary gamesmanship. The November 4 unanimous approval with roll call suggests the three dissenters either received assurances, were lobbied, or simply didn’t want to oppose heat relief a second time.
Citizen Question: What changed between October 21 and November 4 to convince three supervisors to reverse their positions?
Financial Summary
Notable Dollar Amounts Approved:
| Item | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Victim Services Grant | $213,104 |
| 31 | Securing the Cities (Sheriff) | $187,102 |
| 34 | Veterans Treatment Court | $29,766 |
| 38 | DHS Supplemental (Emergency Mgmt) | $1,000,000 |
| 39 | Gila River Tribal Gaming | $1,023,104 |
| 40 | Salt River Tribal Gaming | $1,298,500 |
| 42 | PSB Staffing Fund | $382,831 |
| 46 | Extreme Weather Survivors | $15,000 |
| 47 | Gilbert HOME IGA | $621,053 |
| 49 | Youngtown CDBG | $385,000 |
| 51 | Guadalupe CDC Amendment | $270,000 |
| 53 | Medical Examiner Coverdell | $10,000 |
| 57 | Keys to Change OD2A | $229,058 |
| 58 | OD2A Amendments (2 contracts) | $531,148 |
| 61 | Safe Site Utility Services | $3,000,000 |
Subtotal of identified amounts: ~$8.2 million
Note: Several items (Love’s Travel Stop, liquor license, road files, E-bike ordinance, PSB backlog) do not have dollar amounts specified in the summary.
Public Comment Session
Six speaker forms received. Chair Brophy McGee proceeded with public comment after Item 77.
| # | Speaker | Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Martin | Citizen complaint process / Engagement | Proposed an independent compliance officer for citizen complaints; called out Supervisor Gallardo for blocking her on social media |
| 2 | Diane Barker (District 5) | 911 / Public safety | Raised intersection safety concerns; noted MAG sunsetted their 911 committee; described personal experience where 911 calls weren’t recorded timely |
| 3 | Juan Mendez (Lucha) | Election integrity / Heap accountability | Thanked election workers; condemned Recorder Heap for “casting shadow and doubt,” voter disenfranchisement, and blaming the board for his incompetence; demanded board defend the canvassing process |
| 4 | Tom Arnold | Free speech / Board conduct | Complained about being interrupted by Supervisor Galvin on Oct 21 when naming an elections employee; noted Galvin and Gallardo later named and criticized Heap without interruption; called out Chair for ruling Stewart out of order on election security |
| 5 | Andrew Tai | Board conduct / Double standards | Submitted two forms (criticism and financial support); focused on Oct 21 conduct — Chair ruling Stewart out of order, Galvin’s tweet naming Recorder Heap and citizen Shelby Bush, Galvin naming employee Sam Stone; asked what written standards justify the disparity |
| 6 | Catherine Sigwin (Tempe) | Election oversight / Heap scrutiny | Urged board to examine Recorder Heap’s work: ballot rejections, handling, oversight, elderly/disabled outreach; cited lack of confidence in Heap’s adherence to law; noted 2028 election stakes |
Speaker Analysis
Election Tension Dominates: Four of six speakers (Mendez, Arnold, Tai, Sigwin) raised concerns about Recorder Justin Heap or board conduct around election-related speech. This continues the pattern from October 21, when four of nine public comment speakers also targeted Heap.
The Free Speech Dispute: Tom Arnold and Andrew Tai both raised the same issue from October 21 — that Supervisor Galvin interrupted Arnold for naming a county employee, while Galvin himself later tweeted Recorder Heap’s name and citizen Shelby Bush’s name publicly. Tai also noted Galvin discussed employee Sam Stone’s compensation by name on social media. The board has no written standard for when naming public employees is permissible, creating arbitrary enforcement.
Jamie Martin’s Complaint Process Proposal: Martin is developing formal legislation for a citizen complaint process with an independent compliance officer, assigned owners, deadlines, and documented closure. She requested it be placed on a future agenda. This is a significant escalation from routine public comment — it’s a structural reform proposal.
Diane Barker’s 911 Concerns: Barker raised intersection safety and 911 response issues, noting MAG’s committee sunset and her personal experience with delayed/unrecorded calls. She’s connecting local infrastructure (intersections) with emergency response gaps.
The Heap Accountability Drumbeat: Mendez (Lucha) and Sigwin both demanded board action on Heap. Mendez explicitly said “your work is still far from over” and demanded the board “stand firm, defend the process, ensure every voice is heard and counted.” Sigwin urged examination of “all aspects” of Heap’s work. The message is consistent: Heap is the problem, and the board must act.
Supervisor Responses: None recorded in the transcript. The Chair moved directly to Supervisor summaries after Sigwin finished.
Pattern Observations
1. Motion Dominance — Debbie Lesko
Debbie Lesko made 11 of 12 recorded motions (91.7%). The only motion she didn’t make was Item 55 (Chandler Heat Relief), which Mark Stewart made.
Cumulative Since May 2026:
- Lesko: 97/100 motions (97.0%)
- Stewart: 2/100 (2.0%)
- Galvin: 1/100 (1.0%)
- Brophy McGee: 1/100 (1.0%)
- Gallardo: 0/100 (0.0%)
This isn’t leadership rotation — it’s concentrated procedural control. One supervisor initiates nearly every vote, every motion, every formal action. The other four supervisors primarily second and vote. This pattern has persisted across 8+ meetings since May 2026.
Citizen Question: Are other supervisors being discouraged from making motions, or is this simply Lesko’s leadership style? What would board dynamics look like if motion-making were distributed more evenly?
2. The 4-1 Split on Item 43
The PSB backlog pay increase was the only split vote. Key observations:
- Lesko made the motion but voted nay — suggesting she supported bringing it forward but opposed the substance
- The vote aligned four supervisors (Brophy McGee, Stewart, Galvin, Gallardo) in favor of doubling supplemental pay for Melendres compliance
- This is a rare instance of actual disagreement on the board
Context: The Melendres consent decree has cost Maricopa County millions in compliance staffing, oversight, and monitoring. The PSB backlog is a known bottleneck. Doubling supplemental pay from $50 to $100/hour is a significant fiscal commitment to federal oversight compliance.
Citizen Question: Does Supervisor Lesko’s opposition reflect fiscal conservatism, skepticism about the Melendres process, or something else? Why make the motion if opposed?
3. District 4 Geographic Clustering
All individually considered statutory items (6-9) were in District 4:
- Love’s Travel Stop (Tonopah area)
- Bella Vista liquor license (Sun City West)
- The Landings road files (Camelback/195th Ave area)
While supervisors naturally bring forward district items, the concentration in a single district on a formal meeting agenda is notable. Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 items were all buried in consent.
4. Tribal Gaming Fund Distribution
Two Tribal Gaming pass-through grants (Items 39 and 40) totaled $2.3 million distributed to 35+ nonprofits. This is standard county practice — acting as pass-through administrator for tribal gaming revenues — but the scale is significant.
Gila River ($1,023,104) recipients included:
- The Foster Alliance: $150,000
- St. Mary’s Food Bank: $100,000
- Arizona State University Foundation: $258,104
- Various smaller nonprofits: $25,000-$60,000 each
Salt River ($1,298,500) recipients included:
- St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance: $175,000
- Ronald McDonald House: $125,000
- Native Nations: $150,000
- Various smaller nonprofits: $15,000-$100,000 each
Note: The county adds no administrative fee and simply distributes funds per tribal agreements. This is low-risk pass-through administration.
5. The Reconsideration Gambit — Chandler Heat Relief
On October 21, Brophy McGee voted NO on Chandler heat relief (killing it 2-3), then immediately moved reconsideration as “prevailing side” under Robert’s Rules. On November 4, all three dissenters flipped to yes.
This is parliamentary gamesmanship: vote to kill an item, preserve the option to revive it, then revive it later when the politics are more favorable. The board got the headline of “Heat Relief fails” on October 21, then quietly approved it two weeks later.
Citizen Questions That Should Be Answered
- Why did Supervisor Lesko make the motion on Item 43 if she intended to vote against it? What is the total cost of the PSB backlog pay increase, and why was the amount not disclosed?
- What changed between October 21 and November 4 on the Chandler Heat Relief amendment? Three supervisors reversed their positions with no public explanation.
- What is the total cost of Melendres compliance to date? The PSB backlog pay increase is the latest in a long string of staffing expenditures. How much has the county spent on consent decree compliance since 2013?
- Why is Supervisor Lesko making 97% of all motions? Is this by design, by habit, or by suppression of other supervisors’ initiative?
- Should consent agenda items exceeding $500,000 require separate consideration? The consent agenda buried $8M+ in spending without individual scrutiny.
- What is the status of the 24 US citizens Recorder Justin Heap still bars from voting? This issue was raised at the October 21 meeting but received no update.
- Why were citizen ejections from October 21 not addressed or acknowledged? Leslie Shepherd and Lori Baron were removed for asking cross-item questions. Has the board established clear ejection standards?
- What written standards govern when citizens can name public employees versus when supervisors can? Tom Arnold was interrupted for naming an elections worker on Oct 21. Supervisor Galvin later tweeted Recorder Heap’s name, citizen Shelby Bush’s name, and employee Sam Stone’s name. What rule applies, and to whom?