Winnebago County supervisors approve meeting agenda, vote unanimously to enter closed session on litigation

The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved the meeting minutes and agenda and then voted unanimously to go into closed session to discuss matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent.

The closed-session request was made at the meeting after legal counsel indicated the matter should proceed behind closed doors. Board members voted to hold the closed session pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c), and the chair asked that all persons other than the supervisors, legal counsel and the county auditor leave the room until the board returned to open session.

Supervisor Derby moved to approve the minutes and agenda; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Later in the meeting, a supervisor moved that the board meet in closed session to consult with counsel on litigation strategy; that motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote recorded as unanimous. Legal counsel (identified in the transcript as Kelsey) confirmed the request to go into closed session.

The board did not state details of the litigation during the open session. The motion cited Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c), the statute that permits closed sessions for strategy with counsel on matters in litigation or where litigation is imminent. The county auditor advised members that only supervisors, legal counsel and the county auditor should remain for the closed session.

No other formal actions or vote tallies were specified on the record for the items beyond confirmation that the approval of the minutes and agenda passed and that the closed-session motion carried unanimously.