Board approves final $27,500 payment to outside counsel for 2022 election challenges; supervisors request more invoice detail
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Summary
The board approved payment to outside counsel for work on 2022 election challenges and discussed the timing, scope and oversight of outside counsel billing; supervisors asked for fuller detail about future outside counsel invoices.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on May 7 authorized a final payment of approximately $27,518 to outside counsel who assisted the county with election challenges related to the 2022 statewide races, and several supervisors asked county attorneys for more detailed billing and oversight information going forward.
County Attorney staff said the work began during the 2022 election challenges and continued through related proceedings in 2023; outside counsel handled multiple, related matters and certain invoices rolled into subsequent fiscal years, prompting additional authorization requests. The county—s outside counsel performed expedited litigation related to close statewide contests; staff said the invoices reflected work across several similar cases and that the requested payment covered hours beyond the preapproved amount.
Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee and others praised the county attorney—s office for its handling of expedited election matters but said they want more detailed reporting on outside counsel engagements, invoices and approval processes. The board approved the payment unanimously and the county attorney—s office agreed to provide additional details to supervisors who requested them.
