Action 12.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 09/12/2023
- Title:
- Complaint regarding San Simon Fire District Chief Mandated Training
- Submitted By:
- Sharon Gilman, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature NOT Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Sharon Gilman
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Deputy County Administrator
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Federal or State Mandate
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
48-803 (I) and (K)
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve submission by the Board of Supervisors to the County Attorney's Office of the formal complaint filed by Savanna Valdez on August 25, 2023, regarding the failure of the San Simon Fire Chief John Novak to comply with mandatory professional development training, pursuant to A.R.S. § 48-803 (I) and (K).
Background:
On August 25, 2023, the Clerk of the Board received a formal complaint from Savanna Valdez, San Simon Fire District Clerk, stating that Fire Chief John Novak has failed to complete mandatory professional development training regarding Open Meeting Law. According to ARS 48-803 (K), fire district governing board members and fire chiefs are required to attend professional development training. A fire district governing board member or fire chief who fails to complete the professional development training within the time prescribed is guilty of nonfeasance in office. Any person may make a formal complaint to the county board of supervisors regarding this failure to comply, and the county board of supervisors may submit the complaint to the county attorney for possible action.
ARS 48-803 (I) explains that all persons who are elected or appointed to a fire district board and the fire chief who is appointed or hired by the district board shall attend professional development training that is provided by an association of Arizona fire districts. District board members and the fire chief shall complete at least six hours of professional development training, with board members completing their training within one year after the date of the certification of their election and for the fire chief, within one year after the date of hiring. The fire district shall reimburse board members and the fire chief for the reasonable costs of the training. The professional development training must include training on open meetings laws, finance and budget matters and laws relating to fire district governance and other matters that are reasonably necessary for the effective administration of a fire district.
ARS 48-803 (I) explains that all persons who are elected or appointed to a fire district board and the fire chief who is appointed or hired by the district board shall attend professional development training that is provided by an association of Arizona fire districts. District board members and the fire chief shall complete at least six hours of professional development training, with board members completing their training within one year after the date of the certification of their election and for the fire chief, within one year after the date of hiring. The fire district shall reimburse board members and the fire chief for the reasonable costs of the training. The professional development training must include training on open meetings laws, finance and budget matters and laws relating to fire district governance and other matters that are reasonably necessary for the effective administration of a fire district.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Complaint will be submitted to the County Attorney's Office for possible action according to the statute.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The Complaint will not be filed with the County Attorney's Office and San Simon Fire District will have to seek alternatives to resolve this matter.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Send copy of minutes and complaint to County Attorney's Office.