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Ortonville council stops village manager’s treasurer pay, debates probation and $2,500 spending cap
Summary
After discussing the Village Manager's 60-day probation and attorney review of an evaluation document, the Ortonville council moved to immediately stop treasurer compensation to the Village Manager and debated setting a $2,500 expenditure limit for the manager.
At its March 4, 2026 special meeting, the Village of Ortonville council addressed personnel matters related to the Village Manager’s probation and responsibilities.
Councilmembers discussed the logistics of the Village Manager’s 60-day probation period, noting a committee had prepared an evaluation document that had not yet been reviewed by the attorney. President Quisenberry recused himself from committee participation citing a prior termination vote, and councilmembers emphasized that legal review should precede final implementation.
During discussion of records requests and Treasurer duties, Councilmember Green stated that no motion existed authorizing the Village Manager to receive treasurer compensation and moved that the Village Manager stop immediately receiving treasurer funds effective that day. Nivelt supported the motion and the minutes record the roll-call as the motion carrying 5-0.
Council also debated establishing a formal spending threshold for the Village Manager. Councilmember Hayden moved to set an authorized expenditure limit of $2,500 for purchases that go against appropriations, with amounts over that threshold requiring council approval except in emergencies; Nivelt supported. The meeting minutes record a roll-call phrase of 'MOTION CARRIES 2-4' for this motion. That recorded tally appears inconsistent with an ordinary majority outcome and the minutes do not list individual votes for this motion; the minutes therefore do not provide a clear unambiguous outcome for the expenditure-limit motion.
Earlier, Councilmember Green moved to forward existing evaluation materials to the Village Manager and attorney with the caveat they be modified if the attorney objected; the minutes record 'MOTION CARRIES 2-4' for that motion as well. The minutes do not list individual roll-call votes for those motions; the recorded phrasing is internally inconsistent and is flagged in audit notes.
Council discussed posting the Treasurer position and possible use of a temporary individual to perform Treasurer duties until the position is filled. The meeting moved on to website and records-upload progress after the personnel items.
