The public now knows what went on at a meeting last year that’s created a big controversy for the Ottumwa Cemetery board. At that meeting a year ago, the board met in closed session, and took action in violation of the state’s open-meeting law. The statement read this morning says the board met to discuss personnel matters, and though it consulted with the city attorney, the board made “some procedural errors” in dealing with the personnel matters.
The board believed that it erred in that it was acting properly in keeping the proceedings and actions confidential because it was dealing with personnel issues. A report released last month by State Auditor Dave Vaudt showed the board did not comply with requirements established by the Code of Iowa on closed meetings on at least two different occasions. Cemetery Superintendent Bob Swanson remains on paid leave pending completion of an investigation by the Wappello County Attorney’s office.