Sawyer County committee approves use of executive recruiter to help fill administrator vacancy

The Sawyer County Administrative Committee voted March (date not specified) to refer a contract with a public administration firm to the full county board to help identify and recruit applicants for the county administrator vacancy.

The committee moved into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to discuss negotiating terms with Public Administrative Associates (PAA) before returning to open session. After the closed session, Committee Member Mr. Buckle made the motion to approve PAA to help obtain administrator applicants; the motion was seconded by Mr. Righeimer and carried on a voice vote. Chair confirmed the committee will forward the contract to the full county board for action.

The committee chair read the closed-session motion that cited the negotiating exemption in Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e), describing the purpose as discussing a possible contract and negotiating terms “to ensure the county’s competitive and bargaining position.” The board reconvened in open session and took the referral vote without specifying exact wage terms in the motion.

The motion in open session did not include salary or final contract terms; committee members indicated the referral would allow the county board to review and approve contract language and compensation. The administrator who announced a resignation earlier in the meeting said his planned last day is April 24 and his first day with the appointing county is April 28; the committee said staff will wrap up projects and prepare turnover materials before that date.

No further details on the fee or timeline for PAA’s work were included in the open session record. The committee recorded that Liz Cline, the county clerk, and the human resources representative remained for the closed session at the administrator’s request.

The committee will forward the contract referral to the full county board for final action.