Maricopa's accounting supervisor tapped for inaugural San Tan Valley council

Despite working for both Maricopa and San Tan Valley, Gia Jenkins says she won't face a conflict of interest. Pinal County supervisors had questions but ultimately agreed.

Gia L. Jenkins, the City of Maricopa's accounting supervisor since 2020, has been appointed to the newly incorporated San Tan Valley Town Council. She pledged to bring financial discipline, transparency and small-town values to Arizona's newest town.

Jenkins, who has lived in San Tan Valley for more than a decade, told Pinal County supervisors during her public interview that her first priority is building financial stability for the community.

"The first step would be to do some kind of a sales tax model ... establish those parameters and get that into publication," Jenkins said. "Other items we can do include permit fees, impact fees and franchise fees attached to utilities. Those are some of the options I've thought about when thinking about the incorporation piece."

She stressed that spending decisions must align with the community's most pressing needs, needs that mirror Maricopa's.

"A big one is going to end up being transportation and infrastructure, which are ironically the most expensive," she said. "Other priorities include managing the rapid growth ... and making sure we have a decent amount of commercial versus residential and not just all residential."

Jenkins, who earned a master's degree in public administration with a focus on government and policy from Grand Canyon University, has more than 25 years of accounting experience, including 13 years in government roles at the state, county and municipal levels. Her résumé includes stints at the Arizona Department of Transportation, Pinal County Public Works and the City of Maricopa's Office of Business Management.

Following Jenkins's appointment, the City of Maricopa said it did not view her new role as a conflict of interest.

"We congratulate Ms. Jenkins on her appointment and do not view this as a legal conflict of interest with her role in the City," read a statement to InMaricopa today. "As with any employee, she will be expected to follow City policies regarding volunteer work. We also extend our congratulations to the Town of San Tan Valley on the formation of their new Town Council, and we look forward to working together to enhance the quality of life for residents across Pinal County."

Beyond her technical skills, Jenkins said she will rely on openness and communication to guide San Tan Valley through its first months as an incorporated town. It's a process Maricopa went through back in 2003, but as a city.

"The main thing is transparency and making sure that constituents all feel involved and empowered," Jenkins said. "If your financials are out there and you explain it in layman's terms ... I think it comes across better so that people have a down-to-earth explanation of where it's going and how it's going to be."

She acknowledged that council decisions may not always be popular but said explaining the long-term vision will be essential.

"People are not always going to agree with the decisions the council makes, but ... everything starts with a vision," Jenkins said. "If they understand where we're going in 20 years, maybe they can see that vision."

During the interview, District 5 Supervisor Jeff Serdy, chairman of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, asked whether working on finances for Maricopa while serving on San Tan Valley's council could create a conflict of interest.

"So, you'll be working on the finances from two different cities. You don't see a conflict there?" Serdy asked.

Jenkins replied: "I do not ... I'm more interested in sharing my knowledge and experiences that I've had in the last 25 years ... I'm not one to keep my experience and knowledge to myself. I love to share that to help the next generations."

The county attorney noted that conflict-of-interest rulings are "very fact specific" and depend on circumstances. Arizona law does not bar government employees from holding elected office in other jurisdictions, and Serdy himself pointed to a past Coolidge councilmember who worked for Pinal County. Still, questions may arise if the two municipalities negotiate over services, revenues or development agreements, he said.

Looking ahead, Jenkins said the town has to move quickly to establish a foundation for long-term success.

She said the first priorities were to establish police and fire services, hire a town manager and clerk, "and build the framework for the city to be a strong one for years to come."