Trenton council rejects $10,000 authorization for internal probe and outside counsel after executive session

Mayor Ryan Perry and council members met in a June 14 special session that included an executive session on a personnel matter and a failed motion to authorize a finance-led investigation and hire outside counsel.

Mayor Ryan Perry said he would "enter executive session merely to relay information as presented to me, not engage in discussion, and exit the executive session to allow Vice Mayor Floyd Croucher to conduct executive session with the other 3 members," and Mr. Mesisklis explained that the chambers would remain open and today's executive session could return to a listed agenda item.

The council then approved a motion to go into executive session under ORC 121.22 to consider appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee and to confer with legal counsel. The motion to enter executive session carried on a roll-call vote with YAYS from Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols and Butts (4) and an abstention from Perry (1); Ken Roark and Austin Proffitt were recorded absent.

After the executive session, New Business included a motion "authorizing the finance director to conduct internal investigation and hire independent legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $10,000." Vice Mayor Floyd Croucher moved the authorization and Council Member Marci Butts seconded. The council recorded no affirmative votes: four members voted no (Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Butts) and Mayor Perry abstained; the motion therefore failed.

The transcript does not specify the subject or target of the proposed investigation beyond the general personnel language tied to the executive session. The council took no subsequent formal action on the investigation request. The meeting adjourned at 3:53 p.m.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to excuse Ken Roark and Austin Proffitt from the meeting — Passed; YAYS: Perry, Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Butts (5); Absent: Roark, Proffitt.
- Motion to enter executive session (ORC 121.22) — Passed; YAYS: Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Butts (4); ABSTAIN: Perry (1); Absent: Roark, Proffitt.
- Motion authorizing finance director to investigate and hire independent counsel up to $10,000 — Failed; NAYS: Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Butts (4); ABSTAIN: Perry (1); YAYS: none.
- Motion to adjourn meeting — Passed; YAYS: Croucher, Montgomery, Nichols, Butts (4); ABSTAIN: Perry (1).

The council did not specify next steps or a schedule for follow-up on the personnel matter in the public record. The transcript identifies ORC 121.22 as the statutory basis cited for the executive session.