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County attorney recommends independent advisory committee on CoreCivic after lawsuit dismissal
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Summary
County attorney announced a dismissal opinion in litigation involving the county and recommended a five-member advisory committee—excluding commissioners—to advise on CoreCivic-related matters and safeguards; he named proposed members and said contracts run through June 30, 2026.
The county attorney told the commission that an opinion has been rendered dismissing a lawsuit filed in the matter described in the meeting as "Libra State against Archville, Trailsdale County" and certain past and present officials, though he said the time to appeal has not yet run and the judgment is not yet final.
"There has been an opinion that's been rendered dismissing that case against us," County Attorney Mister Biller said, adding that an appeal period remains and the matter is not yet final. He said the administration and the mayor had been quietly consulting stakeholders and legal advisers about CoreCivic-related contracts and operations, and that the county's contracts with CoreCivic do not expire until June 30, 2026.
Biller recommended forming an independent advisory committee to gather citizen input and relay recommendations to the commission on CoreCivic oversight and safeguards. He said he would recommend that no county commissioner sit on the committee to minimize the risk the commission itself be named in future litigation. He proposed a five-person committee and named individuals he had already approached: Toby Woodmore, Mark Bealer, Zach Taylor, Melissa Chala and General Jason Lawson. Biller said several had agreed to serve and that he would reach out to them and return with a committee structure in October.
Why it matters: the CoreCivic contract and the community's concerns about the private prison operator have been the subject of public attention and litigation; an advisory committee could shape public input and inform the commission's handling of oversight and contract questions.
No formal vote was taken at the work session. Biller asked the commission to consider the recommendation and to deliberate on whether to make a motion at the next regular meeting. He offered to contact proposed members and allow the group to organize itself before reporting back.
Less-critical details: Biller emphasized that prior lawsuits had named citizens who were acting in oversight roles and said the proposed committee structure aims to "insulate" commissioners from being named as litigants. He said some stakeholders were "very vocal" and that the committee would bring a broad spectrum of perspectives.
