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Gila County supervisors debate formal communications protocol with staff; county attorney to circulate guidance
Summary
Supervisors debated whether to formalize how elected officials communicate with staff, with Supervisor Humphrey pushing for clearer work‑session access and Supervisor Klein defending informal contact; County Attorney Menlove said a draft policy and memo clarifying the line between requesting information and giving direction will be circulated.
The Gila County Board of Supervisors held an extended work‑session discussion over whether to adopt a formal communications protocol clarifying when supervisors may contact staff, how requests should be routed, documentation requirements and the limits imposed by Arizona open meeting law.
Supervisor Humphrey, who requested the work session, said he has been told staff were instructed not to speak with supervisors and asked how supervisors can get work sessions, be part of hiring interviews and receive needed operational information. He said constituents and county staff in his district have raised concerns and that past requests for work sessions had not been scheduled promptly.
Supervisor Klein urged retaining informal communications, arguing he regularly talks with department crews and directors and that information flow is important; he expressed reluctance to adopt an overly formal system that bars supervisors from hearing about operational matters. Several supervisors said increased regular work sessions would help ensure all supervisors are informed about county projects and reduce surprises.
County Attorney Menlove said he has drafted initial policy language, will circulate a memo from the county attorney’s office and advised the legal line: supervisors may request information from line staff (permissible), but giving direction to staff is a board function and may raise open‑meeting law issues. Menlove said if the board needs legal advice they may adjourn to executive session but said he does not foresee that being necessary for this item.
Chairman Christian said he will become more active in managing agendas and that the board should use work sessions to keep supervisors informed; supervisors asked staff to bring forward specific work‑session items (flood planning, road maintenance, landfill history) and Menlove said his office will refine policy text for consideration.
The board did not adopt a formal policy at this meeting; direction was to circulate a county‑attorney memo, increase work‑session scheduling as needed and return with refined draft language.
