[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6513289,"mediaKeyId","5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f","parentId",5072542,"title","At‑a‑glance: Board approves dozens of consent and routine items; key votes on elections review and library policy work noted","audioSeconds",8048,"startMs",2091000,"endMs",10139000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f&start=2091&end=10139","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f/thumbnail_2091000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513289/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Ataglance-Board-approves-dozens-of-consent-and-routine-items-key-votes-on-elections-review-and-library-policy-work-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513289-f70c54319b80ab236c5496f5e1769a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614653&Signature=lIGwmtb39gSLKUs6YYP-P6Ivv9uW7RWzWkeKkDnHtzoB9qd8Quo~YHCSE7FRfGdrH58cp8tb3QCQ~0EzhyxPzMEBCvJZ-OPhd6h5CojBOWqvAtLC4EaF3WbRtfwyQ3ML2~-KhRNATpr9RPFW~VpUsFwFC5FS4E0y0GLFCO4Qr6iC~uBmg1bLWxfQuZR6R2uCuDCoSXZd0i1VN5kqPkDkXj9XI8WDTb4gQTLk0nuO~tpneVQMjAUm6K5nR7DUp9m4ALle28mS1UaRJDUPi6149xyjboYxr~W07m8eCWMoYF~2FfpF7BaPdHYREYN6om3M5NINymbnIlhMRUuC9ORpoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maricopa County","date","2025-06-26T08:09:12Z","article","The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors completed its agenda with a series of approvals across consent, transportation, finance, litigation and district business. Below is a concise listing of formal actions recorded during the meeting and their outcomes.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in the meeting transcript):

- Items 6 and 7a (Petition hearing for formation of the proposed Las Palmaritas irrigation water delivery district; owner transfer for Desert Flame): Motion to approve; outcome: approved unanimously (voice vote). Public comment for item 6 was noted but the speaker did not oppose.

- Items 8–11 (Patents easement abandonments as listed on the agenda): Motion to approve abandonment of listed patent easements; outcome: approved unanimously. A landowner asked staff to confirm whether some mapped easements had previously been released by BLM; Transportation and Real Estate staff committed to follow up.

- Consent agenda (items 12–85): Motion to approve items 12–85 as presented; outcome: approved unanimously. Several board members later reserved brief comments acknowledging appointments (items 13–14) and other personnel recognitions.

- Item 86 (Procurement: comprehensive election review): Motion to award contract for a comprehensive review of elections to the recommended vendor (up to $400,000); outcome: approved 4–1. Supervisor Debbie Lesko moved the item; the motion carried by a 4–1 vote after extended staff presentation and public comment. One supervisor voted no, citing independence concerns about the vendor’s prior work and a past data breach.

- Item 87 (Donation and retirement of K‑9 Trino): Motion to approve donation of retiring K‑9 Trino; outcome: approved; roll‑call vote recorded, 5–0.

- Items 88–90 (finance items: lease documents for equipment financing and declaration(s) of official intent to reimburse): Motions to approve; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Items 91–95 (county attorney litigation initiations, conflict waivers, settlements, competition determinations): Motions to approve; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Items 96–101 (Flood Control District business, land disposals and minutes): Flood Control District items 96–101 approved unanimously; the board then recessed and reconvened as the Stadium District Board of Directors.

- Items 102–103 (Stadium District appointment and appropriation adjustment): Approved unanimously; the board adjourned stadium business and reconvened as the Board of Supervisors.

Other procedural notes: the board accepted staff recommendations and approvals for many routine procurements, minutes and appointments via voice votes or roll calls where required. Several actions were taken on consent without separate debate; supervisors pulled no items from consent for separate consideration at the time of the vote.

Why it matters: The formal approvals set policy and authorize procurement and financial actions that move projects, staffing and routine county operations forward. Of these votes the procurement award for the elections review (item 86) attracted the most contested debate and public comment and is likely to have ongoing public interest and oversight.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Formal Meeting June 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Supervisors approved a series of consent and action items, including a contested procurement to review election procedures and routine approvals for easement abandonments, finance items and district matters. Most motions were unanimous; the elections review passed 4–1.","taxTitle","Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2206,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513293,"Board approves abandonment of patent easements after landowner raises BLM jurisdiction questions",620,2115000,2735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f&start=2115&end=2735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","/articles/6513293/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Board-approves-abandonment-of-patent-easements-after-landowner-raises-BLM-jurisdiction-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513293-dcf76145fa86d7c9de010ef954d8e354/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614653&Signature=EaDl7COpqnB9e3TxsBTjZPqWDqOmEeGf3jpWeJC0gXGrwcHOZwTplL28PoaunBD7Hzwb5fnpZs-OvQyMj~8PFtRdfdERRwq2Q~HzA69LXSBtkwMvEgDORLyHxSLUELX-Y7umXhk--Ug-WyYWHVx3fxzDxwCGXtKmtQDVHocZsac2KneDkG4Dhzq7XxsZ1IUm1~4O6ZSWyJKj6r5KO4hGbgP6fVh-O1bHmDraANLGLUPO6I9sYLC~o6axnPUVy~vbxSMyImK1cPVn6knPOBY0sdQVsOdJ6foU3VWbI1EZSf6o49GP-FjeFkT~8717y2jik1m-44~TCCUURqTbS0cDag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved agenda items 8 through 11, which would abandon certain patent easements, after a landowner raised concerns that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) easements and federal ownership might conflict with the county’s action.

A landowner, Ray Dalton, told the board the maps filed with the county showed easements around his property that, he said, had previously been released by the BLM and that utilities and federal interests had been removed. Dalton asked who would control the easements and whether county action might conflict with federal records.

Jesse Gutierrez, Director of Transportation and County Engineer, and Alex Smith, Director of Real Estate, explained these were patent easements—grants created historically under the Small Tract Land Act (a federal practice historically used to grant public easements) and that Maricopa County Department of Transportation (DOT) serves as the custodian for patent easements under county ordinance. Gutierrez said the county keeps maps and can dispose of patent easements that are no longer needed for public access or utilities; Real Estate staff offered to meet with the landowner after the meeting to review documentation and historical records.

Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee moved approval and Supervisor Mark Stewart seconded the motion. The board took an up‑or‑down voice vote and approved the abandonments unanimously.

Staff said that if the affected landowner has additional documentation demonstrating federal action or other competing claims, Real Estate staff invited him to present those documents for follow‑up review.

Why it matters: Patent easement abandonment affects property access and potential future utility or road uses. Landowners raised questions about whether recorded maps reflect current federal or utility interests, and staff agreed to follow up to resolve discrepancies in historical records.

","The Board unanimously approved abandonment of patent easements listed in agenda items 8–11 after a landowner asked county staff to clarify whether the county or the Bureau of Land Management has control. County transportation and real estate directors said the easements are patent easements subject to county custody under county ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513297,"Board hears plan to expand parental‑choice pilot and move certain juvenile health titles out of children’s sections",836,969000,1805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f&start=969&end=1805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f/thumbnail_969000.jpg","/articles/6513297/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Board-hears-plan-to-expand-parentalchoice-pilot-and-move-certain-juvenile-health-titles-out-of-childrens-sections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513297-d0ba05e360e3ba23f2f1193ac4d6270f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614653&Signature=Kg3cpCUjPT4HOG9~RTdifZ1Urw1q5okIzhLnkxtlIa8d83JnhQ73WdJgJvZfStYaT7TdAU75QWBo5sljEF2KpIegyMvY-wYoht~6GHT0kxeSsuzOMy9hnLU5P3djpEB~ni~8MUozfVpOhYEtDCffpaIFO3ZgzaqcQrigSxAfWvt5BiktxCM-3L6eDOaxvDbzkf8gGCL8q4Fk6c9tZXzCo-eyBfxhNp~23Rw7zZoSfl5laVIUbglfpS76xm6xiIk6Ieyt5qDgU8V6~Wo19hqWRCXhc6IYsTqbhyeiY2zIDG6oKSFAbH7GCh2TqzEz1B7qbMYO6woLPakoeajNMfjSHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors received an update from county staff on a parental‑choice pilot program at the Queen Creek Library that allows parents to identify specific titles they do not want their children to access. County staff said the pilot launched May 1 and that library staff are educating patrons about the option.

County manager (presented on the record) told the board the county system has 14 branches, with library ownership and funding varying by location: some libraries are municipally owned with the county funding operations; others are county owned and funded. The county reported 144,000 active library cardholders, roughly 585,000 physical items in circulation that generated about 3.4 million checkouts in fiscal year 2024. The summer reading program had approximately 97,000 participants last year and is on pace to exceed 100,000 this year.

Under board direction and after consultation with legal counsel, staff said next steps include expanding the parental‑choice pilot systemwide, relocating a category described in staff remarks as \"juvenile sexual‑health books\" out of the juvenile/children’s section into an adults‑only section this week, benchmarking other jurisdictions, exploring software that could permit parents to restrict entire categories of materials, and developing an unattended‑minors policy. Staff said the Anthem branch will move into a new building in spring 2026 and become fully county‑owned and -funded.

Supervisor Debbie Lesko and others said they had received constituent complaints about sexually explicit material in children’s sections and expressed support for steps that give parents affirmative choices without violating free‑speech protections. Lesko said county counsel had been consulted to avoid First Amendment violations. Supervisor Mark Stewart called the relocation and pilot measures “common sense” and emphasized the libraries’ mission to serve families.

Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee said the effort is about parental oversight rather than book banning and urged an \"opt‑in\" approach that would require parents to affirmatively consent to full access for their children rather than defaulting to unrestricted access.

Supervisor Gardo (who represented concerns about municipal ownership) asked whether county staff had consulted the city councils for municipalities that own local library buildings but contract with the county to run operations. County staff said Queen Creek council had been involved in developing the pilot and that staff would consult with other cities and towns as the county expands the program.

Public commenters told the board they believed state law already prohibits pornographic sexualized material in libraries and urged the county to enforce existing statutes. Staff and supervisors noted that legal questions about permissible restrictions are being reviewed by counsel and that staff would return to the board with updates in September.

Staff characterized the pilot as an effort to balance parental choice, child protection, and free‑speech rights, and recommended further policy work, software evaluation and intergovernmental consultation before any countywide roll‑out.

Why it matters: Libraries serve broad age ranges and are high‑traffic public institutions; the board’s policy direction will affect how parents and children access materials across multiple jurisdictions and could prompt changes in collection location, software controls and unattended‑minor rules.

","County manager briefed supervisors on a parental‑choice pilot launched in Queen Creek; staff recommended expanding the program to all 14 county library branches, relocating certain juvenile sexual‑health books to adult collections, and developing policies for unattended minors and category‑based software controls.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513301,"Maricopa County board approves $400,000 election review after debate over vendor and scope",5337,2833000,8170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f&start=2833&end=8170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5072542-d26d3f1b929f7412286470ca6ad4e48f/thumbnail_2833000.jpg","/articles/6513301/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Maricopa-County-board-approves-400000-election-review-after-debate-over-vendor-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513301-a289242c59d0a2e9be7312eb7263bfe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614653&Signature=C6x1VJO6gekCCh-TmUEZm1mY1R64lzoDJhF-He4GI-rtmWJMDqcxzLhhXNv~aG5XBxpbeAYeA4QnRfd6ByYdUFvZ8L3IrCE~2XbEa51v-KLpLDOb8t8tPOnh1ywH6eHOTMdsl-A3HbDNy~D9IgF-7HyIFCBq8Vph~E8aoY96VNKdiZ~ZmfDdjzuUngAvkm5E7LX24aYSnz9ERiTCL78DFrXumVHDFK7i6Um8nbYDZ3a42VB2e9OC63NzAZFSREG-V5UN5Pw~m2RHDA5uDsntDrumk3aYkbjUuhuVJKcbVWEIIxCJ5u1YCzIgDIKnVAw27oD693S0F0D0U90jBqBZGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 to approve a contract not to exceed $400,000 with a private consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive review of county elections procedures, including chain of custody, physical security, candidate filing, temporary worker hiring and training, ballot drop boxes, and vote-center selection and setup.

The board approved the agreement after a presentation from county procurement and internal audit staff about the request-for-proposal process, the number of responses, the vendor vetting performed by county information technology, and follow-up questions about a prior data breach involving the recommended firm.

County procurement director Kevin Tine said the county publicly solicited proposals, extended the solicitation window to increase competition and ultimately received seven submissions; five were judged responsive and responsible and were evaluated by an independent panel from the internal audit department. Tine said the solicitation allowed for either single- or multi-vendor awards, and the evaluation committee recommended the single firm as the most advantageous across the six stated scope areas.

Internal audit director Susan Adams described the evaluation process: committee members with audit and proposal‑review experience independently scored each proposal on qualifications, proposed approach, staff qualifications and the proposed timeline and fee structure. Adams said the committee had been trained in the solicitation process and followed the procurement code in its review.

The recommended vendor disclosed a 2023 data breach in its history. County staff told the board they asked the vendor to explain the breach and document corrective actions; county information-technology staff reviewed the vendor response and told the board the vendor’s corrective actions and the county’s security controls provided assurance to proceed. Adams and Tine said the county also reviewed the vendor’s remediation steps and the firm provided required assurances to the county.

Supervisor Debbie Lesko, who introduced the item, said she sought the review to identify blind spots and improve public confidence in local elections. \"I really want to get to the bottom of this,\" Lesko said during discussion on the record.

Supervisor Mark Stewart dissented in the final vote. He said he welcomed a comprehensive review but objected to selecting a vendor with prior work for the county and with a past data breach, saying \"independence matters especially when public trust is on the line.\" Stewart said he would vote no because he preferred a vendor with no prior ties to earlier reviews of county elections.

Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee and Chairman Thomas Galvin spoke in favor of moving forward. Brophy McGee said the county’s procurement and audit offices had followed the law and best practices and that an independent, competitively procured review would strengthen operations and public confidence.

Assistant County Manager Zach Scherer, who represented the elections office during the presentation, said the elections department welcomed an outside review and would cooperate with auditors. Scherer said the department has used outside reviews previously and values outside perspectives to strengthen procedures.

The contract approved by the board covers one year with options to renew; staff said renewals are not automatic and would require county approval. County staff told the board the award is publicly disclosed after final contract signature and that detailed proposal contents and evaluation scores become available through public records following award, subject to any statutory redactions for proprietary data.

Public commenters questioned the vendor selection and noted the vendor’s reported past data breach. Several speakers urged greater transparency in the procurement and suggested other national election‑focused firms be considered. County staff answered questions about the sealed‑proposal process, how vendors are notified through the county’s e‑procurement system and how proposals are evaluated.

The board’s formal action approved the contract recommendation by a 4–1 vote; Lesko moved approval, and the board recorded the outcome as approved. The county will direct the vendor to begin work in coordination with internal audit and elections staff and to report findings to the board when the review is complete.

The contract’s stated scope focuses on operational procedures rather than judicial challenges or election outcomes; any recommendations that would require statutory change would be a separate policy step for the board and state lawmakers to consider.

The board asked staff to return with updates about the review schedule and any necessary adjustments to scope to accommodate ongoing election operations.

Topic why it matters: The review will examine core election operations in Maricopa County, the state’s largest voting jurisdiction, and it could produce recommendations for procedural changes or legislative proposals that affect how elections are run statewide.

","The Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 to hire a private firm to perform a comprehensive review of elections procedures, approving a contract up to $400,000. The decision followed hours of staff briefing, public comment and a divided board vote over vendor selection and independence concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At‑a‑glance: Board approves dozens of consent and routine items; key votes on elections review and library policy work noted

Board approves abandonment of patent easements after landowner raises BLM jurisdiction questions

Board hears plan to expand parental‑choice pilot and move certain juvenile health titles out of children’s sections

Maricopa County board approves $400,000 election review after debate over vendor and scope