Committee holds closed session under state statute and directs GovHR to contact shortlisted candidates

Chair David Jackson moved the Committee of the Whole into closed session at the July 16 meeting under Public Act 267 of 1976, Section 8(f), which allows review of applications for employment or appointment when the applicant has requested confidentiality. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mark Doster and passed on a roll call vote of those present. The committee recessed at 9:31 a.m. and reconvened at 11:38 a.m.

After the closed session the committee approved the closed‑session minutes. By motion of Commissioner David Hatfield, seconded by Commissioner Mark Doster, the committee directed Ryan Cotton of GovHR to contact candidates numbered 1, 2, 6, 9 and 11 and to schedule first interviews for July 19, 2024; the minutes record the motion passed with all present voting aye.

Why it matters: the committee invoked the statute that permits confidential consideration of applicant materials when applicants request it, then authorized GovHR (an executive‑search firm) to proceed with contacting selected candidates and setting interviews—an operational step in the county’s hiring or appointment process.

Details: the minutes quote the statutory language used to justify the closed session and record the times of recess and reconvening. The minutes do not identify the applicants by name or position in the public record, nor do they provide evaluation criteria used in the closed session. The direction to GovHR lists candidate numbers rather than names and sets a July 19 date for first interviews.

Next steps: GovHR is to contact the specified candidates and schedule interviews on July 19; the minutes do not list subsequent interview steps, selection criteria, or timeline for a final appointment.