Wausau Ethics Board adopts schedule: motion hearing Aug. 7, discovery cutoff Aug. 29, hearing Sept. 5

The Wausau Ethics Board voted unanimously to adopt a revised scheduling order that sets a series of meetings and deadlines ahead of a contested hearing in the complaint against Mayor Doug Denny. Key dates adopted in the order are: an Aug. 7, 2025 meeting at 4:30 p.m. to rule on the respondent’s motion to compel depositions of the city attorney and city clerk; a date on Aug. 25, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. to rule on any prehearing motions; a discovery cutoff on or before Aug. 29, 2025; and the hearing scheduled for Sept. 5, 2025, with a 10:00 a.m. start and the council chambers reserved for the day. Why it matters: the scheduling changes shift the evidentiary timeline and create firm windows for discovery, prehearing motions, and the hearing itself. Board chair Calvin credited board counsel Eric Larson for drafting the proposed order and said the dates were chosen to balance counsel availability and an intent to finish the matter promptly. Board members discussed counsel availability, clerk staffing, and logistical needs such as room availability and an alternate clerk while the city clerk’s office will be at a conference. Attorney Eric Larson told the board he could be available remotely for the Aug. 7 meeting; respondent’s counsel Andrew Erlinson confirmed availability as well. Cody (Clerk/Staff) confirmed council chambers availability and agreed to investigate a substitute clerk for meetings during the clerk’s conference. Members discussed whether to hear prehearing motions on Friday, the day before the hearing, or to reserve a separate day for rulings. After discussion the board approved the scheduling order, with the August 7, August 25, and September 5 dates inserted and a discovery cutoff of Aug. 29. The board voted to continue the originally set hearing date and re‑set the formal hearing for Sept. 5; the motion to continue and the scheduling order were approved unanimously. Ending: the board directed counsel to circulate a finalized scheduling order and to distribute an Outlook calendar invitation; the chair will sign the order after members confirm the draft.