Jackson personnel committee approves Feb. 3 minutes, votes 3-0 to enter closed session to interview public works director candidates

The Village of Jackson Personnel Committee approved meeting minutes dated Feb. 3, 2025, and then voted to go into closed session to interview candidates for the director of public works position.

The presiding officer (name not specified) said, "I will make a motion to approve the personnel committee meeting minutes of 02/03/2025." The committee acted on that motion; the presiding officer then asked for further business and closed discussion with "All in favor by saying aye." The motion to approve the minutes carried.

Shortly after, the presiding officer moved that the committee "go into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c). Consider an employment promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility." The presiding officer specified the closed session was "for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of director of public works" and that the closed session would include the personnel committee and the village administrator. A second was made; the committee then took a roll call vote. Trustee Emmerich voted, "Aye." Trustee Krupke voted, "Aye." The meeting recorded the vote as 3-0 in favor, and the committee proceeded into closed session.

No candidate names, interview content, further votes or personnel decisions were disclosed in the public record included in the transcript. The committee did not make any public action regarding hiring or appointment in the excerpt provided.

The committee's use of closed session was grounded in the state statute cited during the meeting; Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c) authorizes closed deliberations for certain personnel matters.