Morrison County board approves closed‑session resolutions for labor negotiations and attorney‑client privileged matters

The Morrison County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 12, 2025, approved resolutions to close part of its meeting to discuss labor negotiation strategy and attorney‑client privileged litigation matters, citing Minnesota Statutes section 13D.03 and section 13D.05.

A county staff member presented two proposed resolutions. The first asked the board to close the meeting to discuss strategy for upcoming labor negotiations, noting that Morrison County has five union groups, including three units in the sheriff’s office (deputies, dispatchers and corrections officers), a public works unit and a health and human services unit. The presenter said prior contracts ran three years and that negotiations for the next contract period were beginning; the presenter did not specify the calendar year the current contract expires.

The second resolution asked the board to invoke attorney‑client privilege and close the meeting to discuss potential litigation strategy. The presenter said the county attorney—who represents the county in the matter—was in court and might not be available until about 10 a.m. The presenter amended the draft resolution to remove the phrase “and outside counsel” from the second whereas clause before the board considered it.

The presenter read the resolutions aloud, citing the statutory authority: Minnesota Statutes section 13D.03, subdivision 1(b) for labor negotiation strategy and Minnesota Statutes section 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) for attorney‑client privilege. Following brief scheduling discussion, Commissioner Casper moved to go into executive session to address ongoing litigation and union negotiations; Commissioner Moran seconded the motion. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records commissioners saying “aye” and notes the board then entered closed session and stopped the public recording.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved its consent agenda by motion and voice vote; the transcript records the motion carried but does not identify the mover, seconder or a roll‑call tally. The record contains no formal vote or roll‑call on the amendment to remove “and outside counsel.”

The actions direct staff and the county attorney to discuss strategy in closed session; no additional formal directives, contract awards, ordinances or fiscal authorizations were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.