Harrison board votes to enter closed session to negotiate fire‑service contracts

After extended public discussion about the structure and fairness of existing fire‑service agreements, the Village of Harrison board voted to meet in closed session to discuss negotiation strategy and bargaining authority related to fire‑service contracts with the Village of Sherwood and the Town of Woodville.

Trustees and staff (including the village attorney and village manager, who were named as potential attendees) described long‑standing intergovernmental agreements that have not been updated for years and said some capital costs for new stations and engines have fallen disproportionately on Harrison taxpayers. "We cannot continue the status quo ... it's not fair to our Harrison taxpayers," one trustee said, urging a balanced renegotiation that preserves partnership while updating cost allocations. Another trustee stressed that negotiation tactics should emphasize partnership and avoid finger‑pointing so the joint department remains viable.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e), the board then moved, seconded and voted to convene in closed session to deliberate strategy and bargaining authority; the motion passed and the board recessed briefly before entering closed session. No public action on the negotiation content was recorded during open session. Staff indicated the closed session will include the village manager, finance director, treasurer, village clerk, village attorney and the fire chief as appropriate.

The board did not take further public action before the recess; subsequent negotiation outcomes and any required public approvals will be reported after closed‑session deliberations conclude.