The Scottsdale City Council voted Tuesday night to pay $100,000 for legal counsel in an ongoing dispute about Axon’s plans to build a new corporate campus in the city.
The council voted 5-2 to hire an attorney to analyze the constitutionality of a bill passed by the state Legislature that negated a referendum effort that would’ve allowed city voters to decide the issue.
That bill, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs, allows Axon to build their new headquarters in Scottsdale, which would include thousands of housing units, restaurants and a hotel.
Many councilmembers were split on whether the money allocated to legal counsel would be a wise use of taxpayer dollars. Councilman Adam Kwasman says that the city should have the right to make an informed decision.
“The only way we're going to be able to have that information whether we make an action or not, and I hope we don't, I think we could absolutely come to a compromise is to seek counsel,” Kwasman said. “Axon has counsel. Why can't we have the counsel that gives us the type of legal understanding and the knowledge as everybody else.”
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead says that both sides should come to an agreement without wasting both Axon’s and taxpayer dollars.
“We have a good corporate neighbor and I know they want to continue to be a good neighbor,” Whitehead said. “Let's sit down and talk instead of spending their money and having their board watch them waste their revenue on legal action and instead of spending taxpayer dollars.”
In a statement, Axon President Josh Isner said he was disappointed that the city chose to pursue potential legal action:
“We want our neighbors to be happy with this project before it commences. As such, last week I asked to meet with several City Council members and I left believing we had productive discussions.
“Each meeting ended with my commitment that a deal could be reached in a matter of weeks. The only thing I respectfully asked was that the City not raise the temperature during this time, as it would be a distraction to progress.
“Tonight, the Council instead chose to raise the temperature yet again. When the Scottsdale City Council decides to lower the temperature, we will be standing by as willing and productive partners.”
