Five supervisors sworn in; Thomas Galvin elected chair and lays out priorities on public safety, housing and elections

Mark Stewart, Kate Brophy McGee, Thomas Galvin, Debbie Lesko and Steve Gallardo were sworn in as members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors during the board’s organizational meeting. The board then elected Supervisor Thomas Galvin as chair for 2025 by voice vote; Galvin later outlined a multi-pronged agenda that emphasized public safety, housing, economic development and changes to elections procedures.

The swearing-in followed a ceremonial invocation and pledge of allegiance. Justice Clint Bullock and Judge Anna Huberman administered oaths to the five supervisors, each taking the oath for the office of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for their respective districts. After the oaths, the board moved to nominations for board leadership. Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee nominated Thomas Galvin for chairman; the nomination carried on a voice vote. The chair announced Kate Brophy McGee as vice chair for 2025.

Galvin, speaking after being elected chair, described several priorities he plans to advance this year. He said he will "direct[] the county manager to create a performance management system" to reduce waste and better align resources with county priorities. He framed public safety as the county’s top funding priority, saying the county must improve compensation to reduce vacancies among deputies, detention officers and dispatch operators and work with Sheriff Jerry Sheridan and County Attorney Rachel Mitchell on those issues.

Galvin told the board the county’s jail excise tax — a sales tax that currently funds prisons, probation and correctional health care — will expire in 2027 unless the state approves placing an extension on the ballot. He said the county’s citizen-led public safety committee recommended a 20-year extension of the one-fifth-cent sales tax and said the board will seek legislative approval to move that measure before voters.

Galvin criticized long-running federal oversight tied to the Melendres court case and said the county has spent "nearly $300,000,000 in the last 15 years" responding to the case. He said he will "work with my board colleagues and our attorneys to find a way to end this counterproductive oversight" while stressing support for accountability.

On housing and development, Galvin said he has convened a group of housing experts and will push to "cut red tape that doesn't serve a public safety purpose," modernize county zoning to allow greater density where appropriate and update land-use policies to facilitate new housing. He identified the county flood control district and FEMA floodplain maps as areas where faster local review could speed construction and reduce delays.

Galvin proposed creating a new, full-time county economic development position to coordinate with cities and chambers of commerce, arguing the county has never had a dedicated economic development advocate. He also said the board will work with the Diamondbacks and other stakeholders on the future of Chase Field while guarding taxpayer interests.

On elections, Galvin called last year’s elections "free and fair" and said his "95 to 1" proposal would aim to have 95% of votes tabulated by the end of election night through a set of legislative changes he described, including cut-off dates for early ballot drop-offs and expanding on-site tabulation on the weekend before Election Day. "For anyone still going on about widespread fraud or stolen elections, stop it," Galvin said, adding that continuing such claims is "destructive and irresponsible."

Other newly sworn supervisors used their remarks to outline initial priorities. Supervisor Mark Stewart said he intends to emphasize customer service and innovation in county operations. Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee said her priorities will include public safety and constituent services and introduced members of her staff. Supervisor Steve Gallardo highlighted housing, homelessness and West Valley services. Supervisor Debbie Lesko said she would prioritize customer service, public safety, fiscal stewardship and election integrity, and said she will press for a comprehensive audit of the county’s election systems.

The board recessed its full meeting and convened as the Stadium District Board of Directors for organizational actions. The stadium district appointed Thomas Galvin as chairman and Supervisor Steve Gallardo as secretary by voice votes.

No binding ordinances, appropriations or referendum language were adopted at the meeting. Several policy directions announced by the new chairman — including a request to the county manager to develop a performance management system, a proposed economic development hire, and plans to pursue legislative approval for a jail excise tax extension — will require follow-up action by staff and possible future board votes.

The meeting concluded with routine adjournment after the stadium district actions.