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Residents praise Cochise County libraries; one asks supervisors to amend meeting minutes
Summary
Two residents used the Cochise County Library District public-comment period to praise library services and staff and to urge the board to correct published minutes that omitted six speaker-request names; the board approved the consent agenda, including minutes and budget amendments, 3-0 and adjourned.
Bisbee — Two residents used the July 14 Cochise County Library District public-comment period to praise county libraries and to ask supervisors for a correction to the board minutes, then the board approved its consent agenda and adjourned.
Cheryl Knotts, introduced by the chairman as the first speaker, said she has used branches across the county and described libraries as “a shared common good supported by tax dollars and open to all.” Knotts, who identified herself as a Pierce resident, listed branches she visits — Wilcox, SunSites, Sonozona, Elfreda and Douglas, as well as the central branch in Bisbee — and highlighted services including internet-enabled computers, research databases, story hours and literacy tutoring. She noted that “the SunSites library currently has 32 kids” enrolled in its summer reading program and thanked library staff and volunteer "friends of the library" groups for their work.
Allison Morse, a registered voter from Portal, told the board she had asked county staff to amend the minutes of the April 7 meeting to add six names from speaker-request forms submitted for agenda item 9 (the data center ordinance). Morse said she had submitted the request nearly three weeks earlier and had not received a reply; she also raised access concerns for Portal residents, noting some voters face an hour‑plus drive to the nearest vote center. Morse urged transparency and credited Taylor Sherman for prompt public‑records responses. “I respectfully request once again that those minutes be amended to include the names and positions of all speaker request forms submitted,” she said.
After public comment the board moved to the consent agenda. Supervisor Gomez moved to approve the consent items, including the minutes of the July 7, 2026 Library District Board meeting and budget amendments; the board recorded three ayes and the motion carried, 3-0. Chairman Antonari then announced the next meeting (the Flood Control District) and adjourned the Library District session.
What happened next: The board took no public action on Morse’s request to amend the April minutes during the July 14 meeting; Morse said she had not yet received a county response. The board’s formal approval on July 14 confirmed the consent items as entered into the record.
