Bisbee council appoints Lori Reynolds to fill vacant Ward I seat

The Bisbee Mayor and Council unanimously appointed Lori Reynolds to the vacant Ward I council seat at a special meeting on Jan. 13, 2026, following public interviews of seven candidates and a brief executive session.

Mayor Ken Budge moved to approve the appointment; Councilmember Pete Skinner seconded. A roll call vote recorded six ayes — Councilmembers Trish Damon, Pete Skinner, Karen Schumacher, Mel Sowid, Anna Cline and Mayor Ken Budge — and zero nays, confirming Reynolds as the new Ward I councilmember.

The appointment followed a public interview process that Mayor Budge said would include seven candidates: Lori Reynolds; Amy Burkert; Boyd Nicholl; Michael D. Ablin; Robert R. Harmon; Beth Moorhouse; and Adele Chernow. The minutes state that each councilmember posed questions during the interviews, but they do not include the candidates’ answers or the specific questions asked.

Before the appointment vote, the council voted to enter an executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(a)(1) for discussion and consultation with the city attorney about the appointment applications. Mayor Budge moved to enter executive session; Councilmember Karen Schumacher seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The council later moved to exit the executive session by the same motion and unanimous vote.

Ashlee Coronado was listed in the minutes as interim city manager and city clerk; a city attorney is noted as present but no individual name is recorded in the minutes. The special meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:40 p.m. in Bisbee City Council Chambers, 118 Arizona Street.

No additional actions or future meeting dates are recorded in the minutes for this special session.