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Pinal County supervisors withdraw item on county attorney, set special meeting after public outcry
Summary
The board withdrew agenda item 8 — a personnel/conflict matter involving the county attorney's office — and scheduled a special meeting for April 4 after months of concern and more than two dozen public commenters voiced support for newly elected County Attorney Brad Miller and asked for clarity.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors on April 2 withdrew agenda item 8 — described by staff as an employment/conflict matter involving the county attorney's office — and said a special meeting most likely will be held Friday, April 4, to address the issue.
The board took the step after the county attorney's office alerted staff to a conflict on an employment matter and the chair moved to remove the item from the agenda. The board approved the withdrawal by voice vote; the chair said a future special-session agenda will present the matter for formal action.
Why it matters: The withdrawal followed a large turnout for call to the public in which many speakers urged the board not to impede Brad Miller, who was elected county attorney in the most recent election and has announced a focus on victims' services and human-trafficking enforcement. Speakers on April 2 said the public elected Miller to exercise independent authority and asked the board to let him hire and manage his staff.
Board action and next steps
The board approved the motion to withdraw item 8 and said it expects to hold a special meeting on Friday, April 4, most likely in the afternoon, to consider the matter. The chair clarified there will be no public comment at that special meeting; the April 2 withdrawal also included the statement that the item originated from communication with the county attorney's office.
Public reaction at call to the public
Dozens of residents spoke during an extended call to the public. Several speakers said the board should not hire outside counsel to advise on matters that the elected county attorney handles. For example, Kim Grady said, “I am here to support our new Pinal County Attorney, Brad Miller,” and others repeated a similar theme: “We elected Brad Miller. Please let him do his job,” (paraphrase of multiple public comments). Some residents asked for more transparency about what prompted the board action and for written information before the special meeting.
County and staff comments
Clerk/staff explained the withdrawal followed a communication from the county attorney’s office noting a conflict on an employment matter; the chair later reiterated that the county attorney’s office had raised the issue and that staff will place a single-item special meeting to address next steps.
What wasn’t decided
No formal determination on personnel authority, use of outside counsel, or any employment actions was made on April 2. The special meeting was announced solely to consider the single item; the board left the matter otherwise unresolved.
Context
The exchange capped a large public-comment period during which speakers raised a mix of concerns: support for Miller’s agenda (human-trafficking enforcement and victim services), requests for process clarity, and concerns about transparency if the board were to retain private counsel to advise on matters involving the county attorney. The board did not provide additional documents or staff reports on item 8 at the April 2 meeting.
Ending
The board's withdrawal of item 8 and the announcement of a special meeting punctuated a contentious public-comment session. The matter will return for board consideration on a future agenda item that staff said will be posted at least 24 hours before the special meeting.
