Arizona Department of Corrections

The Board reviewed applications for members requesting to remain in the ASRS or CORP plans, ultimately approving these requests. The Board held a rehearing for a disability pension application, which was denied after discussion. Additionally, the Board tabled an IME review for a disability pension and directed another applicant to undergo an IME. Requests from return-to-work retirees to retain their pensions with an alternate contribution rate were approved. Finally, the Board determined that the new CADD Administrator position is not eligible for inclusion in the CORP plan.

The meeting addressed several key operational items for the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan. Discussion included requests from three individuals regarding remaining in either the CORP or ASRS systems based on recent employment transfers. The Board also reviewed and approved a request from a retiree, Arnoldo Medrano, to retain his CORP pension while returning to work in a full-time CORP position, requiring an Alternate Contribution Rate. Furthermore, the Board determined that a newly created position, Records Management Specialist, does not meet the merit criteria for inclusion in the CORP retirement plan.

The Local CORP Board meeting agenda included several key discussions and potential actions. Discussions focused on requests for current members to remain in the ASRS/CORP system despite changing employment statuses or roles, specifically involving Meriah Perry, Erica Altigieri, and Kozue Whitley. The Board also addressed requests from retired members, such as Arnoldo Medrano, who returned to full-time employment and sought to retain their CORP pension with an Alternate Contribution Rate. Furthermore, the Board planned to discuss the eligibility of a new position classification, Records Management Specialist - Job Code S08593, for inclusion in CORP. The meeting concluded with a public comment period.

The meeting commenced with tabling the approval of the November 6, 2025, and December 4, 2025, Public Meeting Minutes due to a lack of quorum of members present at those prior meetings. Key agenda items involved requests for members to remain in the CORP plan upon transferring to ASRS positions; the approval for Jason Jardine to remain in CORP was passed, while requests for Eric Orozco and Christopher Jackson were tabled pending corrections to effective dates. The Board also considered the eligibility of three newly created positions (Health Program Manager 2, Information Security Analyst Senior, and Social Worker Senior) for inclusion in CORP retirement, ultimately voting that none of the three met the classification requirements. General discussion confirmed the date for the next meeting.

The meeting agenda included discussions and potential actions regarding the approval of previous meeting minutes from November 6, 2025, December 4, 2025, and January 8, 2026. A significant portion of the agenda involved reviewing requests from three employees—Jody Swayne, Eric Orozco, and Christopher Jackson—to remain in the CORP system despite transferring to ASRS positions within the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry. The Board also planned to discuss and potentially take action on whether two newly created positions, Executive Assistant to the Director (Job Code S02769) and Training Staff Development Administrator (Job Code S05309), are eligible for inclusion in CORP. The public comment period was reserved for public input.