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Board renews MOU to combine elections director duties with County Recorder, citing cost savings
Summary
Supervisors approved an MOU renewing the arrangement that consolidates the county elections-director role with the County Recorder, with staff saying combined compensation would total about $158,000 and save roughly $75,000 compared with hiring a separate elections director.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted to renew a memorandum of understanding that combines the county elections-director duties with the elected County Recorder position.
Mary Ellen Sheppard (county staff) presented market salary data collected from comparable counties and said the market midpoint for an elections director is near $163,000 (market average cited ~$165,667); the proposed renewal would set combined compensation for the recorder and elections responsibilities at about $158,000. Supervisors asked clarifying questions about how long the recorder has performed both roles; Sheppard and Recorder Dana Lewis said Lewis has been performing elections duties while the county sought a permanent director.
Supervisor Vitiello calculated that the consolidated MOU would save roughly $75,000 compared with hiring an outside elections director at market rates. After discussion and a procedural reconsideration to clarify that the renewal incorporates previously made edits, the board approved the MOU renewal by voice vote.
The MOU includes compensation to offset the recorder’s statutory salary while accounting for additional time spent on elections duties; the record does not show specific language changes verbatim at this meeting. The board’s action completes the renewal step; staff noted that the county would continue recruitment and may revisit compensation if a separate hire is later made.
The board gave no additional public direction at this meeting beyond approving the renewal; any future change would require board action or a separate personnel decision.
