Council tables reappointment of finance director; members ask for executive session on personnel questions

Council considered Resolution 2025‑9, which would permit the finance director to retire June 30 and be rehired July 1 under Ohio retirement rules that allow a retire/rehire sequence for public employees.

City Manager Mr. Stannard explained the procedural nature of the item and said the dates — retirement June 30, rehiring July 1 — reflect the pension and rehiring mechanics under state rules. "There's two different ways to do it...if I sat out for two months, then I would re see my pension effective immediately to re retire and then rehire pretty much with no break," he said, summarizing the mechanics and noting the arrangement need not cost the city additional money.

Councilmembers raised concerns about prior notice and precedent. One councilmember said they had seen the item in a past finance committee minute but others said it "came out of the blue" and asked whether personnel questions should be handled in executive session. A councilmember recommended adding the personnel discussion to the night's executive session so members could ask questions about the individual without airing personnel matters in public.

After discussion, a motion to table Resolution 2025‑9 and consider it after executive session was made, seconded and approved by roll call (yes votes recorded from Jeff Bar, Bob Morsini, Dave Selen, Brian Green, Tiffany Hollis, Mayor Don Barard and Wes Kobal). The resolution was not adopted at the meeting.

Council directed staff that personnel questions that concern an identifiable employee may be addressed in executive session, and the item will return for action only after that closed discussion and any follow‑up required by statute.

Separately, the council approved routine minutes earlier in the meeting (with two abstentions recorded for the May 7, 2025 minutes).