Wabasha County board holds closed session to prepare for labor contract negotiations under Minnesota statute

WABASHA COUNTY, Minn. — The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners met in closed session May 20 to prepare for labor negotiations, citing Minnesota Statute 13D.1, subdivision 1(a). All five commissioners and labor counsel attended, and the board provided guidance to its negotiation team.

County staff said the closed session was convened because all county labor contracts will expire at the end of the year. The board met with labor counsel Susan Hansen and a compensation consultant from David Drown and Associates, identified in the public record as Mark Goldberg, together with Human Resources Director Sean Huth and Katie Strebler. The county administrator reported that the board provided direction to counsel and staff on next steps for negotiations but did not disclose negotiation content during the open meeting.

Before entering closed session the board voted to go behind closed doors. The motion “to go into closed session” was moved by a commissioner and seconded; the chair called for and recorded an affirmative voice vote. After the closed session, the administrator confirmed the meeting was held pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.1 subdivision 1(a) for labor negotiations and that guidance was given to the county’s labor consultants and staff.

No formal labor agreement, changes to compensation, or other binding decisions were announced in open session following the closed discussion. The county will continue labor negotiations with staff and counsel under the board’s direction.