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Special Meeting Minutes Friday, September 17, 2021 4:45 PM BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Maricopa County, Arizona (and the Boards of Directors of the Flood Control District, Library District, Stadium District, Improvement Districts and/or Board of Deposit) "The mission of Maricopa County is to provide regional leadership and fiscally responsible, necessary public services to its residents so they can enjoy living in healthy and safe communities” Board Members Jack Sellers, Chairman, District 1 Bill Gates, Vice Chairman, District 3 Steve Chucri, District 2 Clint Hickman, District 4 Steve Gallardo, District 5 County Manager Joy Rich Clerk of the Board Juanita Garza Meeting Location Supervisors’ Conference Room/Auditorium 301 W Jefferson, 7th Floor 205 W Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85003 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The Board of Supervisors of Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona, convened in Special Session at 4:45 PM on Friday, September 17, 2021, in the Supervisors’ Conference Room/Auditorium, 301 W Jefferson, 7th Floor, 205 W Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003, with the following members present: Jack Sellers, Chairman, District 1; Bill Gates, Vice Chairman, District 3; Steve Chucri, Supervisor, District 2 (remote); Clint Hickman, Supervisor, District 4 (remote); Steve Gallardo, Supervisor, District 5. Also present: Juanita Garza, Clerk; Joy Rich, County Manager (remote); Andrea Cummings, Legal Counsel (remote). Minutes compiled by Maria Ceaglske, Minutes Coordinator 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION Vote to convene in Executive Session to consider the items on the Executive Agenda dated Friday, September 17, 2021, for Board of Supervisors and relevant Special Districts pursuant to the statutory authority listed for each item. Motion to approve by Supervisor Bill Gates, seconded by Supervisor Steve Gallardo Ayes: Jack Sellers, Bill Gates, Steve Chucri, Clint Hickman, Steve Gallardo MEETING RECESSED Chairman Sellers recessed executive session to reconvene in open session. OPEN SESSION RECONVENED Chairman Sellers reconvened open session to consider the following agenda item. Special Meeting Minutes Friday, September 17, 2021 Page 2 of 3 OPEN SESSION 2. POSSIBLE ACTION RE: ELECTION SUBPOENA, COMPLIANCE, AND LITIGATION. Take possible action as directed in Executive Session regarding the election and compliance with the Senate subpoena and litigation. (C-19-22-180-X-00) Motion was made by Supervisor Bill Gates to authorize Chairman Jack Sellers to sign the agreement with the Arizona State Senate that resolves the Attorney General’s findings, which the County disputes, dated August 26, 2021, agrees that all subpoenas to Maricopa County have been fully complied with and ensuring that the County’s routers will not be handed over to the Arizona State Senate’s venders. Seconded by Supervisor Steve Chucri Supervisor Bill Gates stated his appreciation to Chairman Sellers for bringing this item forward today. He said this was a win for Maricopa County residents and ends the dispute with the Senate. He said the dispute could have been costly due to litigation costs, the Attorney General’s findings, and not surrendering tabulation machines to the Senate. Maricopa County would have lost nearly $700 million in state-shared revenue. If the routers would have been surrendered, it could have been disruptive to County operations costing Maricopa County millions. He reiterated how important it was for the people to understand that the routers would not be turned over to the Cyber Ninjas. He said this agreement will set up a special master who will receive questions regarding the routers and they will work with IT on answering any questions and making sure confidential items not put to harm. Supervisor Steve Chucri commented this puts the issue behind us. He said it is clear the routers contain sensitive data, and it was important that while complying with the subpoenas, voter safety and Maricopa County operations remain safe from harm. Supervisor Clint Hickman noted this issue was important and this agreement was a big step in protecting Maricopa County taxpayers. He thanked Chairman Sellers for his leadership and thanked the Maricopa County elected for understanding and protecting the taxpayers. Supervisor Steve Gallardo thanked Chairman Jack Sellers for his leadership this year. He said it has not been easy for anyone on the Board having to fight the court of public opinion. He thanked the legal team for the work they have done and continue to do. He stated this agreement troubles him. He said he understands this agreement will not turn over the routers to the Cyber Ninjas or the Senate today but that does not mean the Senate will not come after the Board at a later time. He stated the County should pursue options to recoup the cost to Maricopa County. He said he believes, in due time, it will come out that the Maricopa County elections were safe, secure, and accurate. Those who worked the election did a remarkable job and the Senate should apologize to the hard-working Elections staff. He stated he respects the attempt being made with this agreement but does not believe it will successfully end what was started several months ago. He hopes he is wrong. He would implore the Board to move forward with other options. Chairman Jack Sellers said everyone has been frustrated dealing with litigations and subpoenas and said this agreement was a step in the right direction. He stated this agreement will provide the opportunity to get back to more normal operations. He said this process involved almost every office in Maricopa County and he thanked MCAO Special Meeting Minutes Friday, September 17, 2021 Page 3 of 3 for the legal assistance in moving Maricopa County forward. The agreement resolves many issues between the Board of Supervisors and the Senate. He stated how important it was to protect the integrity of the routers for taxpayer and voter safety. He said he trusts the special master can help answer whatever questions remain in this matter. He said it was very important the BOS protect its constituents’ right to vote. Ayes: Jack Sellers, Bill Gates, Steve Chucri, Clint Hickman Nays: Steve Gallardo MEETING ADJOURNED There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. _____________________________ Jack Sellers, Chairman of the Board ATTEST: ___________________________ Juanita Garza, Clerk of the Board