The Washburn County Board will again discuss whether or not to pay a court claim made by a former supervisor against the county. The claim was detailed in a May 8 story authored by Regan Kohler in the Spooner Advocate.
District 19 Supervisor Brian Melton resigned in 2024 from the board and told its Executive Committee the resignation was due to the updated public comment policy at open meetings.
According to the article, Melton said the policy stripped elected officials of their constitutional discretionary powers as chairs of committees and public servants. He said the policy was practically violating freedom of speech, as well.
Melton hired outside counsel in spring 2024 when he was subpoenaed to testify against a county employee. That trial was dismissed, but Melton retained his attorney in case any legal actions were brought against him.
The article said Melton filed a claim, “reluctantly,” he said, against the county seeking reimbursement of his attorney fees, as he felt he was not afforded representation due an elected official under his duties as supervisor.
In February, a resolution on the County Board meeting agenda sought to deny Melton’s claim, but the motion failed 11-8. The resolution was then sent back to the Executive Committee for review. That committee unanimously approved it and forwarded it to the Finance Committee.
The article said the committee met on Thursday, May 1, to discuss approval of paying Melton’s claim. Corporation Counsel Bill Johnson said, “In a sense, it will end the litigation.”
The resolution to pay the claim passed unanimously. Consideration of the claim will now go back to the Executive Committee when it sets the May board agenda.
