In a bid to rectify ongoing issues with public records handling, Cochise County officials have signed off on a sizable settlement following a lawsuit brought forth by American Oversight. The special meeting of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors saw members unanimously agree to a $125,000 payout to the watchdog organization after significant shortcomings were exposed in the way the county processes public records requests. reported Cochise County government.
After consulting with legal experts from Jones, Skelton & Hochuli in a private executive session, Supervisors Tom Crosby, Ann English, and Peggy Judd chose to address the concerns surrounding transparency and adherence to public records law. The lawsuit, originating from a sequence of requests filed in the previous years, unveiled a demanding volume of requests that the County Attorney's office, charged with handling such affairs, struggled to manage efficiently. A new paralegal, dedicated solely to public records, was the solution found by the team, encountering a backlog that has been significantly reduced until now, despite the challenges broad requests present.
Further efforts to enhance transparency include the adoption of NextRequest, a sophisticated software system designed to streamline public records management. Slated for an October debut, this platform will provide the public a more robust way to submit and track their records requests online. The County believes that not only will NextRequest refine the process but also fortify communication regarding requests, improving the speed and accuracy of records processing and facilitating online document access for the public, Cochise County's announcement stated.
This overhaul, which includes a full-time paralegal and the impending launch of NextRequest, echoes the commitment by Cochise County to better serve and inform its residents. As the county prepares to leave behind its past public records issues, the strides aimed to establish a new standard for openness and efficiency in governmental operations, going live in just a few short weeks.
