Cochise County supervisors move into executive session for litigation update

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted Thursday to enter an executive session to receive a litigation update and possible direction related to the county attorney’s office and the Arizona Counties Insurance Pool. The board made the motion and a second was recorded before members voted to convene the closed session.

Under the authority cited in the meeting, the board moved the discussion into a confidential executive session. The chair called for a voice vote; multiple supervisors responded "Aye," and the motion was announced as carried. The transcript records the motion text as a move to enter executive session under ARS 38-431 (as spoken) for a litigation update involving the county attorney’s office and the insurance pool.

Before moving into closed session, meeting attendees introduced themselves for the record. Those who spoke and identified themselves included Cynthia Malouf (identified in the transcript as associated with the county insurance entity), Brian Hunt (with a supervisory office), Julie Morales, risk management and safety director for Cochise County; Dylan Hendel, civil deputy county attorney; Sharon Gillman, county administrator; Joe Casey, deputy county administrator; and two additional attendees identified as Arlo and David Ward.

The public record shows the executive session began at 03:02 and ended at 04:55. The board chair commented on the length of the session when it reconvened. Because by law executive-session minutes and discussions are confidential, the board did not disclose the substance of the litigation update at the public meeting.

The board adjourned shortly after reconvening. A joint work session with the Planning and Zoning department on solar energy and data centers was announced for Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.