Cochise County supervisors enter executive session over Daniel LaChance lawsuit

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors entered an executive session Tuesday, March 11, at the Board of Supervisors Executive Conference Room on Melody Lane to receive direction and consider possible action in ongoing litigation and a potential settlement in Daniel LaChance v. Cochise County (case CB-24-0150-PR).

The board’s motion to go into executive session cited Arizona Revised Statutes as the legal basis for holding a closed meeting and said the session’s purpose was “direction, and possible action regarding ongoing litigation and potential settlement regarding Daniel LaChance versus Cochise County et al, CB-24-0150-PR.” The motion passed on a voice vote, 3-0.

District 1 Supervisor Crosby, District 2 Supervisor Gomez and District 3 Supervisor Antonoria were present and voted in favor. County staff in the room identified in open session included Clerk Laura Lowenheim; Deputy County Administrator Joe Casey; Sharon Gilman; County Recorder Billy Cloud; and Elections Director Preda Tria. The board announced that outside counsel Mr. Lasota would join by phone for the executive session.

At the start of the meeting the board noted that, pursuant to the statute the board cited, members of the public would have physical access to the meeting room or remote access 15 minutes before the meeting. The board also noted that minutes of discussion in executive session are kept confidential under the statute cited.

After the executive session the board reconvened in regular session and announced a Library District meeting in the county hearing room at 10 a.m. to approve minutes and accept demands. The regular session then adjourned.