Marathon County supervisors debate code of conduct and provisional suspension process after allegation concerns

Supervisor Supervisor Lemmer told the executive committee that recent reporting about a supervisor's conduct had damaged the board's credibility and urged immediate action to create clearer rules: a formal code of ethics, objective triggers for censure, and provisional authority for the chair to suspend a supervisor's committee privileges while an allegation is adjudicated. She framed several concrete proposals and offered to help draft a resolution.

Committee members and staff pressed for legal clarity and due process. Corp counsel advised that removal from the board itself is subject to Wisconsin statute (chapter 17) and that Robert's Rules already include a censure process; counsel and Administrator Leonard recommended staff and counsel draft rule language and present options at the organizational meeting. Vice Chair Dickinson and other supervisors warned against overly broad unilateral powers for the chair and recommended narrower, clearer triggers tied to committee work and the rules-review process.

The committee did not adopt an immediate rule change. Instead, members agreed to ask administration and corp counsel to develop proposed language and examine interactions with existing statute and Robert's Rules so the full board can consider amendments at the organizational meeting.

The meeting record shows a clear split in priorities: some supervisors prioritized immediate protective measures for board integrity, while others stressed procedural fairness and legal risk. Corp counsel recommended careful drafting to avoid exposing the county to liability while preserving an accountable process.