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Commissioner challenges May 26 closed session, files suit; motion to release record fails, liaisons reassigned
Summary
Commissioner Paul Cousins told the commission he filed a lawsuit over a May 26 closed session he says exceeded permissible personnel discussion; his motion to release the recording (with redactions) failed for lack of a second. A heated exchange followed and, citing concerns about pending litigation and departmental unease, the commission reassigned liaison duties for the assessor's and treasurer's offices.
Commissioner Paul Cousins used the public meeting to object to a closed session held May 26, saying the personnel discussion exceeded the statutory narrow scope for closed meetings and that he had "filed a lawsuit against Iron County last week." Cousins asked the commission to release the May 26 closed‑session recording "to the full extent permitted by law with redactions limited to the employee’s identity and any portions actually protected by the open and public meetings act." He cited hearing the meeting remotely and said the record contained allegations he considers false.
No commissioner seconded the motion to release the record and it failed. Commissioners and staff then engaged in a high‑tension exchange: one speaker characterized a recurring pattern of conduct and alleged past personal attacks; Cousins responded that he had not been informed about departmental actions affecting his liaison responsibilities and repeated that he had filed suit.
Given the pending litigation and expressed discomfort from county offices, commissioners administratively reassigned liaison duties: Commissioner Robinson was asked to assume liaison responsibilities for the assessor’s office and the commission chair agreed to assume liaison duties for the treasurer’s office. Meeting minutes show commissioners emphasized that the court, not the commission, would decide the release of the closed‑session record now that litigation has been filed.
