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Residents cite Attorney General opinion and press council for transparency after new hires
Summary
Residents told Lebanon City council committees they were alarmed by an Attorney General opinion they say found closed-session discussions about the old city hall, and questioned recent director hires and layoffs, asking for clearer public disclosure and updated budgets.
Residents pressed the Lebanon City council committees on June 1 over transparency, recent hires and layoffs, and an Attorney General opinion they said showed open-meeting rules had been violated. Bethany Williams, a long-time resident and business owner, told the committee she had filed a complaint with the state and that the AG review cited separate discussions about the condition and disposition of the existing city hall.
"I listened to your council meeting for the month of May and I was shocked," Williams said, referring to the AG opinion. She told the committee the opinion reviewed closed-session recordings and concluded those sessions had included discussion about future plans for the current city hall and its disposition that should have been in open session.
The concern came amid questions about new director positions and staffing while other employees were laid off. Williams said residents need clearer explanations of why the city created new roles and how those hires are funded. "We have new directors when we lay off," she said, urging the council to "do the people's business in open session."
Council members acknowledged the need for information. A committee member said the Holland report and staffing proposals had been discussed recently and defended creation of a finance director post as a quicker way to obtain needed expertise than establishing a full finance committee. "The finance director position is a way we can get it done in a short amount of time," the committee member said. The speaker added they were not aware of a paid request to Holland and would follow up.
The committee agreed to provide more information to the public and to return with clearer documentation about hiring decisions, budgets and what was discussed in closed session. Members discussed posting estimates, bids and reports, and holding public forums after the committee compiles factual cost information so residents can weigh options.
The committees closed the item by instructing staff and members to gather the requested documents and to make them available to the public before additional decisions are taken.
