The Osceola County board approved the day’s agenda, accepted minutes from the prior meeting and adopted a meeting schedule before voting unanimously to enter a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) during the session.

At the start of the meeting, the board conducted a roll call and moved to approve routine business. A motion by Mr. Helmers to adopt the agenda was seconded by Mr. Devore and approved by voice vote. Mr. Schulte moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, seconded by Mr. Loring; that motion was approved. Later the board approved a set of meeting dates, a motion moved by Mr. Schulte and supported by Mr. Helmers.

The meeting included a brief scheduling note: a board member said, “I will be gone Feb. 25 to March 16.” The speaker did not give a full name in the transcript.

After procedural business, the board considered a motion to enter closed session citing Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c). Mr. Schulte moved to enter closed session; Mr. DeBoer seconded. The chair then called each member for their vote. Mr. Schulte responded, “Aye.” Mr. DeBoer, Mr. Helmers and Mr. Loring each responded, “Aye,” and the chair also said, “Aye.” The board then entered closed session.

Why this matters: the board’s invocation of Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) was the sole statutory citation recorded on the public transcript when the closed-session motion was made. The transcript does not record the topic discussed in closed session or any action taken while in closed session.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt agenda — Motion by Mr. Helmers; second by Mr. Devore; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Approve minutes from prior meeting — Motion by Mr. Schulte; second by Mr. Loring; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Adopt meeting schedule (dates discussed included Feb. 24 and March dates) — Motion by Mr. Schulte; second by Mr. Helmers; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Enter closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) — Motion by Mr. Schulte; second by Mr. DeBoer; recorded votes: Mr. Schulte (Aye), Mr. DeBoer (Aye), Mr. Helmers (Aye), Mr. Loring (Aye), Chair (Aye); outcome: approved.

The transcript records only the statutory citation and the board’s vote to enter closed session; no material from the closed session itself appears in the public transcript. The meeting proceeded into closed session immediately after the vote.