Adams County board votes to enter closed session to discuss potential joint development agreement with Akron Solar LLC
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Summary
The Adams County Board voted to go into closed session under state law to discuss negotiating terms of a possible joint development agreement with Akron Solar LLC for a photovoltaic facility after counsel advised business-transaction terms qualify for the closed-session exception; several supervisors urged the discussion be public.
The Adams County Board of Supervisors voted to convene in closed session to consider whether the county should enter a joint development agreement with Akron Solar LLC relating to a proposed solar-electric generating facility.
The chair moved to convene a closed session under Wisconsin law, citing the exception for deliberating and negotiating public-business transactions when competitive or bargaining reasons require confidentiality. The motion described the subject as "Consider whether Adams County should enter into a joint development agreement with Akron Akron Solar LLC regarding the solar voltaic electrical generating facility."
Supervisor Grabarski questioned holding the discussion behind closed doors, saying Rome residents are "very wound up about this topic" and asking why the board would exclude the public. Legal counsel Michael replied that closed session was appropriate because the board would be discussing business-transaction terms and negotiation strategy with Akron Solar, which would be harmed by premature disclosure.
The board conducted a roll-call vote to enter closed session; the clerk reported 18 total votes with 13 in favor and 5 opposed, and the motion passed. The chair said Zoom would be closed during the session and that certain department heads (for example, the sheriff and parks) could remain to provide information relevant to potential negotiation.
The board indicated it would return to open session if any votes were required after closed deliberations.
