Ellsworth City Council recesses into executive session to discuss chief of police applicants

The Ellsworth City Council recessed into a five-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel related to the chief of police position, the council moved on Tuesday evening.

A council member moved that the council "recess for an executive session to include the mayor, council, and interim city administrator for 5 minutes ... to discuss matters regarding non elected personnel for the chief of police position," citing state statute KSA 75-4319(b)(1) as the justification, and said the open meeting would resume at 05:37. (Committee member)

The Clerk restated the motion as "moved by council member Moon, seconded by council member Renard" and called for a voice vote. "All those in favor, say aye," the Clerk said. Those present responded "Aye," and the Clerk declared the motion passed. The Clerk also noted the mayor would join by Teams or cell phone. (Clerk)

The action was framed as a personnel discussion, not a formal personnel appointment or final decision. The motion described the session as limited to non-elected personnel matters for the chief of police position and specified a five-minute recess with a stated return time. The record as read aloud cites KSA 75-4319(b)(1) as the legal basis for going into executive session to protect applicant privacy.

The council recessed into executive session at the time indicated in the motion; the transcript records that the open meeting was to resume in the same room at 05:37. The transcript does not record any roll-call vote counts or individual member votes beyond the voice "aye."