Ousted Glendale council member must be reinstated, judge rules

Catch up quick: The Glendale City Council voted 4-3 last month to remove Conchas from office, citing a provision of the city charter that bars council members from holding other paid public offices.

• The SRP Agricultural Improvement and Power District Board, which Conchas was elected to in April, pays members $60 for each meeting they physically attend.

The latest: Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Greg Como ruled on Tuesday that the $60 per diem doesn't constitute "compensation" and that the council exceeded its authority in expelling Conchas.

• He ordered the council to immediately reinstate him, which it did by Tuesday afternoon.

The intrigue: Conchas told us last month that he believes the expulsion was largely retaliation for opposing an administrative policy the city adopted in 2022 that gives council members a $450 monthly vehicle allowance and a $900 monthly stipend for expenses.

• He's called the policy a "slush fund."

What we're watching: The Attorney General's Office is investigating the stipend and car allowance policy in response to a constituent complaint filed last year.

• The complaint argues the policy violates the Arizona Constitution's "gift clause" and circumvents a provision of the city charter requiring a public vote to increase the mayor and council members' salaries.