Open Meetings Law FAQ 10

Can a city council or village board discuss general personnel matters in closed session under Wis. Stat. sec. 19.85(1)(b) or (c)?
 
No. The open meetings law personnel exemptions in secs. 19.85(1)(b) and (c) do not encompass general personnel or management issue discussions. They are designed instead for discussions pertaining to specific persons over whom the governmental body has jurisdiction. These sections do not authorize a closed session to discuss general matters such as what qualifications a governmental body is seeking in candidates for a position of public employment or the general salary scale to apply to a position of employment. They also do not authorize a closed session to discuss an employee assistance program, personnel policy manual changes, staffing reductions or increases, or other general personnel policy matters. (rev. 10/19)