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Special Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 08, 2024 11:00 AM 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 Thomas Galvin, Vice Chairman, District 2 Bill Gates, District 3 Clint Hickman, District 4 Steve Gallardo, District 5 County Manager Jen Pokorski Clerk of the Board Juanita Garza Meeting Location Supervisors' Conference Room 301 W Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003 Chairman Sellers opened the meeting and asked the Clerk to call the roll. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The Board of Supervisors of Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona, convened in Special Session at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 8, 2024, in the Supervisors' Conference Room 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003, with the following members present: Jack Sellers, Chairman, District 1; Thomas Galvin, Vice Chairman, District 2; Bill Gates, Supervisor, District 3; Clint Hickman, Supervisor, District 4; Steve Gallardo, Supervisor, District 5. Also present: Amy Loper, Deputy Clerk; Kelly Gardiner, Minutes Coordinator; Jen Pokorski, County Manager; Andrea Cummings, Legal Counsel. ACTION 1. APPOINTMENT OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF Appointment to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Maricopa County Sheriff. (C-06-24- 557-X-00) Chairman Sellers reviewed the agenda item and asked for a motion. Vice Chairman Galvin said the statutory process that was required for this Sheriff appointment was intense and very important to the Board. He expressed appreciation for all eight applicants who applied. Vice Chairman Galvin said the final three candidates had interviews that were enlightening. He said the candidate that stood out has decades of experience in Maricopa County and will serve all political party constituents with respect. Supervisor Gates echoed Vice Chairman Galvin’s comments and added the importance of appointments by the Board when vacancies of Electeds occur. He said Chief Deputy Skinner and his team will be well positioned to protect the citizens during the upcoming election season. Motion to appoint Chief Deputy Russ Skinner as the new Maricopa County Sheriff Department by Supervisor Thomas Galvin, seconded by Supervisor Bill Gates Supervisor Hickman said he supports the motion, having known Chief Deputy Skinner for as long as he has been on the Board. He said he was glad that Chief Deputy Skinner applied despite the pay cut he would take if appointed Sheriff. Supervisor Hickman said Special Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 08, 2024 Page 2 of 3 this also gives Chief Deputy Skinner the opportunity to select his own Chief Deputy going forward. Supervisor Gallardo thanked Chairman Sellers for all the work on this process. He noted there were eight well qualified candidates that stepped up, then narrowed to three. Former Sheriff Penzone, democrat, was elected by the people in 2016 to replace Joe Arpaio and rebuild the community trust. Supervisor Gallardo thanked Mr. Penzone for all the work that he did for Maricopa County. He stated there is a lot of work to be done, and trust needs to be developed. He said for that reason he would not support the appointment of Chief Deputy Skinner and he would be voting no. He said he looks forward to working with Chief Deputy Skinner as they continue to repair the damage from Joe Arpaio. Chairman Sellers thanked the candidates who came forward. He talked briefly about the Sheriff’s Office and that it should not have a political requirement. Chairman Sellers said the Board really focused on the candidate that would be best for the job during this contentious election season. Ayes: Jack Sellers, Thomas Galvin, Bill Gates, Clint Hickman Nays: Steve Gallardo OPEN SESSION RECESSED Chairman Sellers recessed the Board of Supervisor meeting at 11:15 AM ~ Supervisor Gallardo left the meeting during the recess and would not return ~ OPEN SESSION RECONVENED Chairman Sellers reconvened the Board in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room at 11:35 AM. Presiding Judge Joseph Welty executed the Oath of Office for Sheriff Skinner. Sheriff Skinner spoke and thanked the Board, his family, and the public for their support. He also thanked the team of men and women of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department. He acknowledged the challenges that Maricopa County faces and he is ready to work with all the departments. As a law enforcement professional, he considers himself bipartisan and will uphold the rule of law and the constitution to keep Maricopa County safe. He asked for the support of the public to respect one another as we enter the election season. Sheriff Skinner said he would serve the people and the communities to the best of his abilities. A Press Conference ensued and questions touched on the following topics: When asked about changing political parties from Republican to Democrat, Sheriff Skinner stated that he is not a political individual and that he considers himself more apolitical. He stated that on or around October 2, 2023, then Sheriff Penzone informed Chief Deputy Skinner of his plans not to run for Sheriff in 2024 and that he planned on retiring in January. Chief Deputy Skinner stated that immediately after this notification, many individuals reached Special Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 08, 2024 Page 3 of 3 out and were left with uncertainty. At that point, and after long discussion with his family, he decided he would change political parties (state statute requires the appointment be a democrat) and throw his hat in to complete the term of Sheriff Penzone. When asked about his plan to run for Maricopa County Sheriff in 2024, Sheriff Skinner stated he does not know as there are many factors to consider, including having that conversation with his family. Sheriff Skinner was asked how he would work with the Latino population and would his staff follow his lead. He stated that both the community and the Sheriff’s Office need to work together and that is to be expected from staff. Sheriff Skinner was asked if the court order/compliance would be completed by the end of the year. He stated that this would probably not happen due to the complexity of the court order and the requirements that are set in place. When asked about how he plans on handing Elections, Sheriff Skinner stated that he takes the safety of the elected officials, staff, and the public very seriously. Law enforcement will be in force. When asked what seems to be his biggest challenge, Sheriff Skinner stated that there is not one challenge. He faces recruitment challenges, safety, and fentanyl challenges, including overdosing and drugs in the jails. Sheriff Skinner was asked, during his service with MCSO, what he knew about the court order. Sheriff Skinner stated that at the time he was an employee within the department in a different role than he is now and that he was somewhat aware of the case, but Mr. Arpaio was leading MCSO and Mr. Skinner was strictly doing his current role at that time. At the conclusion of the Press Conference, Chairman Sellers adjourned the meeting at 11:57 AM. Photos were taken. MEETING ADJOURNED There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. _____________________________ Jack Sellers, Chairman of the Board ATTEST: ______________________________ Amy Loper, Deputy Clerk of the Board