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Merit Systems Commission
Mission
The Maricopa County Merit Systems Commission is actually two commissions in one. The Commissions are responsible for overseeing the Employee Merit System (under the provisions of A.R.S. §11-351 through 11-357) and the Law Enforcement Officers' Merit System (under the provisions of A.R.S. §38-1001 through 38-1007).
The Commissions are charged with representing the public interest in the improvement of personnel administration in the county service. The Commissions adopt new rules, amends existing rules, recommends preparation of policies and procedures, and serves as an independent personnel board for the County under A.R.S. §38-532 (H).
Meetings
The Board meets as defined in the Annual Posting Notice (PDF).
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
For updates to this webpage, contact BoardsAndCommissions@Maricopa.gov
Current Members
| Representation | Member | Current Term |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Casey S. Blais | 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2023 |
| District 2 | Gail W. Perry | 06/22/2022 - 12/31/2025 |
| District 3 | Kathryn Petsas, Vice Chairperson | 10/19/2022 - 12/31/2026 |
| District 4 | Mike Branham | 01/25/2023 - 12/31/2024 |
| District 5 | Rebekah Friend, Chairperson | 03/01/2023 - 12/31/2027 |
Member Qualifications
A.R.S. §11-353: (County Employees):
- On the adoption of a county employee merit system the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a county employee merit system commission to assist in administering the system. The commission shall consist of 5 members, each of whom shall hold office for a term of 4 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Of the members first appointed, 2 shall serve for a 2-year term, 2 for a 3-year term and 1 shall serve a 4-year term, and the members shall determine by lot the length of their terms. Appointment to fill a vacancy caused by other than expiration of term shall be for the unexpired portion of the term.
- Members of the commission shall be selected from among the qualified electors of the county. No more than 3 of the members shall be from the same political party.
- If the members of the county employee merit system commission are the same members that the board of supervisors appoints to the county merit system council for law enforcement officers established pursuant to section 38-1002, the board of supervisors may appoint the members of the county employee merit system commission to five-year terms consistent with the terms prescribed by section 38-1002, subsection C. To make the terms consistent, a member's current term on the county employee merit system commission shall extend to the date on which the member's current term on the county merit system council for law enforcement officers expires. The subsequent term of office will be five years as prescribed by section 38-1002, subsection C.
A.R.S. §38-1002: (Law Enforcement Employees):
- In each county coming with the provisions of this article, there shall be a merit system council which shall consist of 5 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the county. No more than 3 members shall belong to the same political party and all members shall be persons having recognized knowledgeable interest in the merit principles of personnel administration, and are prohibited from delegating their authority.
- The term of each member of a council shall be 5 years, 1 term to expire December 31 each year, except that a member shall continue to serve until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. Of the members of the council first appointed, 1 shall be appointed for a term ending December 31, 1970, and 1 each for terms ending 1, 2, 3 and 4 years thereafter. Upon the expiration of the term of a member a successor shall be appointed for a full term of 5 years. Appointment to fill a vacancy resulting other than from expiration of a term shall be for the unexpired portion of the term only.
- The council shall hold regular quarterly meetings and in addition, may hold such special meetings as the chairman of the council deems necessary. A chairman and vice-chairman shall be elected by the members of the council in January of each year and the chairman shall not be permitted to succeed himself. Meetings of the council shall be open to the public and executive sessions may be held as provided by law.
- Any 1 of the following shall constitute the resignation of a council member and authorize the appointing authority to appoint a new member to fill the unexpired portion of the term so vacated:
- Absence from 3 consecutive quarterly meetings
- Becoming a candidate for any elective public office
- Accepting any appointive office of employment in the service of the state, or a county, city or town
- Members of the council shall receive subsistence and travel expenses incurred while traveling from their places of residence to the place meetings are held or in the performance of other duties of the council in the same manner as is provided by law for state officers.
Duties & Powers
A.R.S. §11-354: (County Employees)
The commission shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this article. By Policy: Prepares rules they may find necessary or appropriate for the administration of the personnel system. Represents the public's interest in the improvement of personnel administration in the County. Advises the Board of Supervisors, judges, county manager and the human resources director of problems concerning personnel administration. Advises and assists in fostering the interest in institutions of learning, civic, professional and employee organizations in the improvement of personnel standards for County employees. Reviews any personnel action which it considers desirable concerning the administration of personnel in the County and to make suggestions. Makes appropriate reports and recommendations for improvements.
Maricopa County Boards and Commissions A.R.S. §38-1003: (Law Enforcement Employees). The Council, pursuant to recognized merit system principles of public employment, shall from time to time:
- Classify or reclassify all positions occupied by law enforcement officers within the branch of government employing such officer and recommend schedules of salary and other compensation payable for such officer classification.
- Fix and refix standards and qualifications of all positions so classified.
- Provide a plan for fair and impartial selection, appointment, retention and separation or removal from service by resignation or dismissal of all classified law enforcement officers. The provisions of paragraph 4 of this section shall apply to appointments.
- Provide a plan for promotion of law enforcement officers which shall give appropriate consideration to qualifications, record of performance, seniority and conduct within the field of law enforcement. Vacancies within the department shall be on the basis of competitive examination. Whenever a vacancy occurs within a department the council shall upon request certify to the head of the department the names of five officers in the order of their relative excellence in the competitive examination from which certified list the appointment or promotion may be made.
- Adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the orderly administration of the provisions of this article.
- Hear and review appeals from any order of the department head in connection with suspension, demotion or dismissal of a classified law enforcement officer. The council's determination shall be final except on appeal as provided in A.R.S. §38-1004.
Formation Authority
A.R.S.§11-353: County employees merit system commission, and Board of Supervisors' Maricopa County Employee Merit System Resolution (PDF) and Maricopa County Law Enforcement Officers Merit System Resolution (PDF).
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Merit Commission Coordinator
Phone: 602-506-3792
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Human Resources
Physical Address
301 W. Jefferson
4th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Related Documents
- Employee Merit System Rules (PDF)
- Employee Merit System Resolution (PDF)
- Employee Merit System Appellant Guide (PDF)
- Law Enforcement Officers' Merit System Rules (PDF)
- Law Enforcement Officers' Merit System Resolution (PDF)
- Law Enforcement Officers' Merit System Appellant Guide (PDF)
- Merit Systems Commission Disclosure Statement (PDF)