Village staff recommends hiring Ian Morris as village prosecutor; trustees request court input and schedule executive session discussion

Staff recommended the board consider hiring Ian Morris as the village prosecutor following a proposed fee increase from the current provider.

Steve (identified by first name in the transcript) told the board he solicited alternatives after the current prosecutor proposed a price increase and found a candidate who would come in at a lower price. "His name is Ian Morris. He is a prosecutor in another New York village," Steve said, and recommended hiring him for village prosecution work.

Steve described the proposed engagement as a flat‑fee retainer for ordinary matters with an hourly structure for cases that escalate to Westchester County Supreme Court or require administrative search warrants. He said the candidate would not be available to start before July 1.

Trustees asked staff to confirm comments from the court (court staff had received the candidate’s materials but had not returned comments at the time of the meeting) and suggested adding the hiring discussion to an executive session for additional background. No formal hire or vote occurred at the work session; staff will return with court input and, if appropriate, a personnel recommendation in executive session or at a future public meeting.

Next steps: staff to confirm court feedback, return additional information in executive session if necessary, and schedule a formal hiring vote if the board chooses to proceed.