Board approves IGAs adding law-enforcement patrols to protect flood-control assets and address encampments
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Summary
Supervisors unanimously approved intergovernmental agreements to add law-enforcement services for flood-control areas. Supporters said patrols will protect county flood-control staff and remove hazardous encampments; staff explained the Flood Control District requires separate board action and mirrored agenda items.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) to add law-enforcement services for flood-control district facilities, voting unanimously during the meeting.
Why it matters: Supervisors said added patrols will help protect county employees and address homeless encampments located in riverbeds and flood-control channels. County staff and the county manager emphasized that the flood control district is a special taxing district and that the board must vote in its capacity as directors of the Flood Control District — hence parallel agenda items under both the board of supervisors and the flood control district.
Supervisor Jackie A. Lesko said the law-enforcement presence “could help remove homeless encampments in the river beds between Sun City and Sun City West and between the city of Youngtown and the city of El Mirage,” and added that constituents had reported people entering private property. Lesko said the patrols would “help protect our flood control staff.”
A public speaker who had registered to address the agenda asked whether the county was doubling contracts; the county manager explained the separate listings are required because the board acts in two legal capacities — the Board of Supervisors and the Flood Control District board of directors — and therefore the agenda contains mirror items rather than duplicate spending. That explanation was given after a member of the public asked whether the contracts listed under the sheriff and the flood control district were the same.
The motion to approve the law-enforcement IGAs passed by unanimous vote. No member recorded a dissenting vote.
Next steps: Staff in the Flood Control District and the Sheriff’s Office will execute the agreements and coordinate patrol schedules and scope as directed in the approved IGAs. Members of the public raised concerns about potential duplication and contract costs; staff will be responsible for clarifying operational details as agreements are implemented.
