Supervisor Thomas Galvin was elected chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and sworn in during the board's organizational meeting, where all five supervisors also took the oath of office.

The swearing-in for the five supervisors was administered by Justice Clint Bullock and Judge Anna Huberman. Brief remarks from each newly sworn supervisor followed the oath-taking.

The election of Galvin to the chairmanship was made by nomination and approved by voice vote. Vice chair Kate Brophy McGee was announced for 2025. After the board recessed and convened as the Stadium District Board of Directors, supervisors also approved leadership for that board.

Why it matters: The chair sets the boards agenda and can shape county priorities over the next year. In his remarks, Galvin outlined an agenda that emphasizes public safety, fiscal management, workforce pay in the sheriffs office, housing policy changes and state-level election law reforms.

Galvin, a supervisor from District 2, said the board will focus on both prosperity and security for Maricopa County residents and directed the county manager to take several steps. He said he is "directing the county manager to create a performance management system" intended to reduce waste and better align spending with priorities. He also said he will ask the manager to create and fill a full-time economic development position to coordinate the countys work with cities and chambers of commerce.

Public safety topped Galvins list. He told the board he intends to work on compensation for sheriff deputies, detention officers and dispatch operators to reduce vacancy rates and keep trained staff in place. He also raised a long-running federal oversight matter, calling the Melendres case costly: "an issue that has cost Maricopa County taxpayers nearly $300,000,000 in the last 15 years," and said he would pursue ways to end federal monitoring and return accountability to local elections and voters.

On funding, Galvin noted that the countys jail excise tax  the sales-tax source for correctional facilities, probation and correctional health care  will expire in 2027 unless the state legislature acts. He said a citizen-led public safety committee recommended a 20-year extension of the one-fifth cent sales tax but that legislative approval is required to place the measure before county voters.

Housing and development issues also featured in Galvins remarks. He said the county will convene a group of housing experts to identify ways to cut regulations that do not serve public safety, modernize zoning where appropriate, and press for revisions to FEMA floodplain maps so reviews can proceed faster. He framed those changes as ways to lower building costs and expand housing supply.

Galvin proposed reforms to how elections are run and reported a 95 to 1 plan intended to ensure 95% of votes are tabulated by the end of election night. On the boards role, he said "There are no sacred cows in elections administration, and this year we will do a comprehensive review to ensure we are operating at optimum quality." He also urged state legislative changes including setting a cutoff for early ballot drop-offs and expanding on-site tabulation windows.

Other items raised in remarks: a push for advocacy on Interstate 11 and additional transportation coordination following passage of Proposition 479; an advisory committee to explore bringing NHL hockey back to the valley; support for the countys new Mesa animal shelter; and employee-facing initiatives including an on-site child care center and a "rising star" employee recognition program.

Votes at a glance:
- Thomas Galvin elected chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (voice vote; motion carried). Tally: 5 yes, 0 no.
- Kate Brophy McGee announced as vice chair for 2025 (announcement by the board; no roll-call vote recorded).
- Thomas Galvin elected chairman of the Stadium District Board of Directors (voice vote; motion carried). Tally: 5 yes, 0 no.
- Supervisor Steve Gallardo elected secretary of the Stadium District Board of Directors (voice vote; motion carried). Tally: 5 yes, 0 no.

The meeting included customary invocation and pledge, the administration of oaths by Justice Clint Bullock and Judge Anna Huberman, and brief remarks from each supervisor about priorities and gratitude to family and staff. After organizational business the board adjourned as the Board of Supervisors and convened as the Stadium District Board of Directors to complete appointments for that board.