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Council outlines executive-session interviews for associate city judge candidates
Summary
Council directed that interviews of Judicial Appointment Advisory Board–recommended candidates for associate city judge be held in executive session, with the presiding judge present, and that council make any appointment in public session.
Scottsdale city leaders discussed the recruitment for an associate city judge to replace the retiring incumbent and directed staff to proceed with a process that includes executive-session interviews of candidates recommended by the Judicial Appointment Advisory Board (JAB).
Monica Boyd, the city’s human resources director, said the recruitment opened May 16 and drew 58 applications; 52 met the qualifications and the JAB will interview candidates and is required by ordinance to recommend a minimum of three to the council.
Judge Mary Anne Bayardi and staff described three interview-options for council involvement. Council members expressed a preference to interview the JAB-recommended finalists in executive session, with the presiding judge present, then return to public session to make an appointment. City attorney Louie Santayo confirmed the council’s authority to appoint judges and that the council may decide how to conduct interviews; he said the ordinance leaves the ultimate appointment decision to council.
Councilmembers generally favored the executive-session approach to allow candid discussion; several asked that the presiding judge be available during the council interviews. Staff said JAB interviews are scheduled for early September and the board will forward recommended candidates to the council in mid-September, with council interviews and a likely appointment to follow in late September or early October.
The council did not make an appointment at the meeting; it provided direction on interview format and participation.
