Payson Common Council adjourns into executive session to consider town manager applications

The Payson Common Council on April 17, 2025, voted to adjourn into an executive session to consider applications for the town manager position and to receive legal advice under Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.03(A)(1),(2) and (3). The council record noted that all members were present except for Councilmember Flaherty.

An unnamed council member whose remarks open the transcript said, "K. Purpose of the meeting is to consider is consideration and action to adjourn into executive session pursuing to ARS 38 dash 4 31 0 3 a 1 2 and 3 for the council. Applications for town manager and receive legal advice. I ask for a motion and a second to adjourn to executive session."

Another unnamed council member responded, "I'll make a motion. Second." The presiding council member then called for the vote. Successive voice votes of "Aye" were recorded and the meeting adjourned; the transcript ends that sequence with, "Aye. Aye. Yes. We're adjourned." The council moved into executive session immediately after the voice vote.

Arizona law (ARS 38-431.03(A)(1),(2),(3)) authorizes executive sessions for certain personnel matters and for receiving legal advice; the council cited that statute when making the motion. The transcript does not record further public discussion of the town manager applicants or any additional details about the candidates, the hiring timeline, or any specific legal issues to be discussed in executive session.

No formal votes or actions on personnel appointments were recorded in the public portion of the meeting; the transcript shows only the motion to enter executive session and the council's voice approval. The public record in the transcript also does not specify when the council planned to return to open session or any follow-up public actions.

The meeting contained brief unrelated audio after the adjournment that is not substantive to council business and is not included in this report.