OPINION — Thank you to Richard Smith for his ongoing reporting on Attorney General Kris Mayes’ investigation into Glendale’s council stipends.
The issue is simple: in 2019, Glendale voters explicitly rejected a salary increase. In 2022, City Administrative Policy 11 quietly bypassed the public’s clear vote, handing council members a $900 monthly stipend plus a $450 monthly car allowance.
Former City Manager Kevin Phelps framed this $1,350 monthly payout as an administrative efficiency to cut processing paperwork under the city’s merit system setup. In reality, this scheme completely avoids transparency.
