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Osage County conducts closed‑door interviews for county controller candidates
Summary
The commission held three county controller interviews April 21, repeatedly using executive session under Kansas Open Meetings Act guidance to protect applicants’ privacy; commissioners said they may make a hiring decision and contact the recruiting firm in the coming week.
Osage County commissioners interviewed three finalists for the county controller position on April 21 and repeatedly recessed into executive session to discuss applicants’ privacy‑sensitive material. Legal counsel cited an attorney general opinion permitting non‑elected personnel interviews to proceed in executive session when necessary to protect applicants’ privacy interests.
Commissioners opened the day’s interviews with procedural guidance from legal counsel Josh Nye, who referred to the Kansas Attorney General opinion allowing interviews of prospective employees in executive session under the non‑elected personnel exception. Candidates were given the option to request a closed‑door portion if they had matters — such as a sensitive ongoing employment situation or credit‑check information — they preferred not to discuss in public.
At least one applicant said they preferred an executive session because they did not want their current employer to know they were interviewing; commissioners accommodated that request. The commission extended executive sessions multiple times while conducting the series of interviews; no hiring announcement was made from the dais.
Commission leaders said a prompt next step could include contacting Bird Dog Recruiting and making a decision as soon as next week. County staff said, if the commission selects a candidate, they will discuss start dates and onboarding details with the chosen finalist. No formal offer was announced during the meeting.
