Arapahoe County commissioners vote to enter executive session on police bargaining, library agreement and Austin case

The Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners voted to enter an executive session to develop negotiation strategy and receive legal advice on three matters: collective bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police, an intergovernmental agreement regarding the Arapahoe Library District and mediation and appeal in the Austin versus the sheriff case.

The board took the action under Colorado law cited by a commissioner during the meeting. Commissioner Jeff Baker moved that the board go into executive session “pursuant to sections 24-6-402, (4)(b) and (4)(e) of the Colorado Revised Statutes to develop strategy and instruct negotiators and receive legal advice regarding, 1, collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police, and number 2, an intergovernmental agreement regarding the Arapahoe Library District, and further, that the board go into executive session pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(b) of the Colorado Revised Statutes to receive legal advice regarding mediation and appeal in the Austin versus the sheriff case,” and Commissioner Jessica Campbell seconded the motion.

The chair called for a voice vote. “All in favor, say aye,” the chair said. When the ayes were voiced and no opposition was indicated, the chair announced, “The motion passes. We are now in executive session.” The meeting record shows a voice vote; no roll-call tally by name was provided and no opposition was stated on the record.

County attorneys were listed as present in the roll call immediately before the motion, and the motion explicitly cited the statutory authority for entering executive session. The public record produced at the time of the motion did not include substantive discussion on the merits of the three items; the commission simply moved to meet in private under the cited Colorado Revised Statutes sections.

Because the board entered executive session, any deliberations, legal advice and direction given in that private session are not part of the public transcript. The board did not announce any further public actions or deadlines related to the three items before adjourning into executive session.

The board is now in executive session on the matters listed; the timing of any public follow-up, votes or written agreements was not specified during the portion of the meeting in the public record.