Shiocton trustees move into closed session on potential litigation over citizen complaints, reconvene with no action

Village President Jenny Schmoock called a special meeting of the Village Board of Trustees of Shiocton to order Jan. 13, 2026, and the board voted unanimously to go into closed session to discuss potential litigation strategy related to citizen complaints involving sworn employees.

The motion to convene a closed session, made by Trustee Gomm and seconded by Trustee Dawes, cited Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(g), which allows government bodies to confer with legal counsel about litigation strategy. Trustees Bunnell, Brownson, Dawes, Gomm, Tyler, Woods and President Schmoock voted aye on the motion.

Under the statute the board met with Village Attorney Ashley Lehocky in closed session; the public minutes record only that "The Board discussed information with the Village Attorney" and do not disclose the substance of that discussion. The board then announced it would reconvene into open session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(2). Trustee Bunnell moved to reconvene, Trustee Brownson seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded all ayes.

The minutes state that no action was taken after the closed session and that the meeting adjourned. The minutes show the meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and list an adjournment time of 5:11 p.m.; the document records these times as written and they appear to be a clerical inconsistency in the posted minutes. The minutes are dated as posted January 15, 2026, and are labeled a draft to be reviewed for approval at the next monthly board meeting.

No public statements by individual trustees or by the village attorney about the substance of the legal discussion were recorded in the public minutes. The board also noted that the Shiocton Village Hall is accessible to physically disadvantaged persons and provided contact information for accommodation requests in the minutes.