Update 04/02/25: The Board of Supervisors removed the item from the agenda and will address the issue at the April 4th Regular Session meeting. Several members of the public expressed their concerns.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors will consider a controversial agenda item at their upcoming meeting that could establish a mechanism for hiring outside legal counsel, potentially bypassing newly elected County Attorney Brad Miller. The proposal comes just three months after Miller took office following his victory over incumbent Kent Volkmer in the July 2024 Republican primary.
Tensions Predate Miller’s Inauguration: A Timeline
Documents reveal a concerning sequence of events surrounding discussions about retaining outside counsel:
July 2024: Brad Miller defeats incumbent Kent Volkmer in the Republican primary for County Attorney with 54.5% (20,607 votes) to Volkmer’s 45.5% (17,171 votes).
October 2024: Three months after Volkmer lost the primary but before Miller takes office, Vice Chairman McClure approaches the outgoing County Attorney Volkmer about obtaining a legal opinion regarding the Board’s ability to seek outside legal advice on matters where they might “not see eye to eye” with the County Attorney.
During this post-election exchange, Volkmer candidly responded, “I mean you’re essentially saying if I don’t agree with what I’m telling you, I’m trying to tell you how to work your way around me.”
McClure confirmed this interpretation, stating, “That’s right, that’s what I want you to tell me” followed by laughter. [See YouTube Recording]
December 2024: Brad Miller is sworn in as Pinal County Attorney.
April 2025: Just three months into Miller’s term, the Board schedules a vote on obtaining outside counsel.
It’s important to note that at the time of the October 2024 conversation, Volkmer had already lost the election, and Vice Chairman McClure had openly opposed Brad Miller’s candidacy for County Attorney during the campaign.
Current Agenda Item Raises Questions
The April 2025 agenda item under consideration reads: “Approval/disapproval to, and to take such steps as are necessary to determine whether the County can or should retain outside counsel.” The agenda item goes on to specify that this includes determining “whether the County Attorney has a conflict of interest or lack of harmony that precludes him from representing the County with regard to employment matters related to the County Attorney’s Office.”
To date, no public information has emerged suggesting any problems with County Attorney Miller’s performance or behavior that would justify seeking outside counsel. The only known factors are Vice Chairman McClure’s previous opposition to Miller during the campaign and the conversation with the ousted County Attorney Volkmer in October 2024.
Critics have raised numerous concerns about this proposal:
Voter Will and Democratic Process
Critics argue this move would constitute voter mandate subversion, as Brad Miller was democratically elected to serve as County Attorney with specific statutory responsibilities that include providing legal counsel to the county. Seeking outside counsel without clear justification undermines this electoral mandate and effectively nullifies the choice made by 20,607 voters.
Suspicious Timing and Lack of Justification
The suspicious timing pattern shows this issue emerged after Miller’s election but before he took office, following Volkmer’s tenure without such concerns. This suggests politically motivated action rather than genuine need.
Pending the upcoming meeting, the Board has provided no specific documented examples of actual conflicts or “disharmony” that would justify taking this unusual step, raising questions about the true motivation behind the proposal.
Legal and Fiscal Concerns
The vague agenda item with no attached supporting information appears to be at odds with A.R.S. § 38-431.09, which requires providing “such information as is reasonably necessary to inform the public of the matters to be discussed or decided.” This raises concerns about compliance with Arizona’s open meeting laws, pending any disclosures that will be made at the upcoming meeting.
Creating duplicative legal services represents an unjustified expense of taxpayer funds during challenging economic times when resources could be directed toward addressing pressing community needs.
Governance and Accountability Issues
Unlike the elected County Attorney who answers directly to voters, outside counsel would be accountable only to those who hire them, removing an important check and balance in county government.
This action could establish a dangerous precedent for the Board to potentially circumvent any elected official whenever there’s a disagreement, effectively nullifying future election results.
Miller’s Early Accomplishments in Office
Since taking office in December 2024, County Attorney Miller has already made strides in fulfilling campaign promises. In January 2025, his office collaborated with the Apache Junction Police Department and multiple agencies on “Operation Stranger Things,” which resulted in 14 arrests of alleged child predators.
During his campaign, Miller emphasized several priorities including:
- Reducing crime in Pinal County, which he claimed had risen steadily over the previous eight years
- Combating drug-related cases, particularly methamphetamine and fentanyl
- Enhancing prosecutorial strategies to secure more convictions
- Protecting Second Amendment rights
- Supporting adequate police funding
- Fighting against lawfare tactics similar to those he believed were used against President Trump
Miller has already demonstrated his commitment to these issues by establishing a new special victims unit within the County Attorney’s Office specifically to handle cases involving crimes against children.
“That unit will consist of trained individuals, officers, county attorneys, and other individuals to assist so that we can attempt to eradicate this type of behavior from our community,” Miller stated during the February press conference announcing the child predator sting operation results.
Miller is also pushing for stronger laws against child predators, assisting Senator Shamp with a bill to change the definition of dangerous crime against children to include cases where an undercover police officer acts as that lure.
What to Watch at the Upcoming Meeting
The Board’s consideration of outside counsel comes at a curious time, given Miller has been in office for only three months and has already shown significant initiative in addressing county-wide issues.
The agenda item appears to continue a trajectory that began before Miller even took office. The timeline suggests the Board began laying groundwork for potentially circumventing the new County Attorney’s authority during the transition period between the primary election in July 2024 and Miller’s December inauguration.
Critics argue this move threatens to undermine the democratic process, as Miller won his position with 54.5% of the vote (20,607 votes) compared to Volkmer’s 45.5% (17,171 votes). They contend that seeking outside counsel without clear justification subverts this electoral mandate.
Some of the questions about the proposed agenda item include:
- Whether hiring outside counsel represents a fiscally responsible decision during challenging economic times
- If this establishes a dangerous precedent for circumventing other elected officials whenever disagreements arise
- Why this action is being pursued so early in Miller’s term when there’s been no public evidence of conflicts
- Whether the Board has attempted any less drastic measures to address any concerns they might have
- If the vague agenda item language violates Arizona’s open meeting laws
- How this move might impact public trust in county government
- Whether outside counsel hired by the Board could truly provide independent legal advice
Residents concerned about this issue should attend the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting in person or online. The meeting will be held on April 2nd at 9:30 am at 135 N. PINAL STREET, FLORENCE, AZ 85132. After the vote, later in the meeting during the Call to the Public citizens will be able to voice their opinions on whether this represents a legitimate governance concern or an attempt to undermine the authority of a democratically elected official who is already demonstrating success in fulfilling his campaign promises. They can also send an email to all the supervisors by emailing the Clerk of the Board: Cl*************@pi***.gov
This article from the Pinal Post, titled “Voters Chose Miller, Supervisors Consider Another Path,” misses the mark entirely. It suggests that the Board of Supervisors is merely exploring routine restructuring before Brad Miller takes office. But let’s not sugarcoat what this really is—a last-minute panic move by officials who know they’re under scrutiny and potentially under investigation.
Let’s look at the facts:
On March 20th, I submitted clear and compelling evidence of procurement violations and financial misconduct involving the $299,050 ExhibitOne contract to Richard Mueller in Brad Miller’s office. To Brad’s credit, his office immediately took the matter seriously—something past leadership ignored.
This contract was no small mishap:
The County paid $541.48 for a single HDMI cable, when equivalent cables retail for $20 or less.
County Manager Leo Lew and Finance Director Lori Pruitt approved the payment.
The Board of Supervisors approved it in an “emergency meeting.”
These actions appear to violate the following Arizona statutes:
A.R.S. § 35-301 – Misuse of Public Monies (Felony)
A.R.S. § 13-2602 – Bid Rigging/Public Procurement Fraud (Felony)
A.R.S. § 38-231 – Abuse of Emergency Authority & Neglect of Duty (Felony/Misdemeanor)
But instead of standing with the people and the newly elected County Attorney who’s committed to accountability, the Board is reportedly considering stripping powers away from the County Attorney’s Office before Brad Miller is even sworn in.
That’s not “governing.” That’s fear. That’s damage control.
I’ve also personally been targeted for speaking out. Certain individuals who work or have worked in Pinal County government have gone out of their way to blackball me—simply because I dared to dig into the truth and demand accountability. This is about more than one contract—it’s about a culture of retaliation and cover-ups.
So the timing of this “restructuring” isn’t coincidental. It’s a direct response to the fact that Brad Miller will do his job—and that job may include prosecuting county officials.
The article paints this as an administrative discussion. But the people of Pinal County see it for what it is: a desperate attempt to hold onto power before the walls close in.
If the Board truly respects the voters’ choice, they will back off, allow the County Attorney-elect to do the job he was elected to do, and prepare to answer for their own actions—maybe in court, maybe in a recall, or maybe just in disgrace.
We’ve got the evidence. We’ve got the laws. And now, we’ve got Brad Miller.
This isn’t over—it’s just getting started.