City defends hiring actions

Media attorney: Policy should have been discussed in public

Jefferson City officials see no violation of the Sunshine law in a somewhat controversial closed session meeting that resulted in the City Council's approval of an employee's promotion to a position that has not yet been created.

But the mayor and a counsel for the Missouri Press Association say the issue was not handled correctly.

On Wednesday, the city announced Bill Betts, current information technology services director, had been promoted to assistant city administrator, a position that technically does not exist yet, which would combine the responsibilities of finance director and IT director. The ordinance to create the position will be introduced at the Feb. 4 council meeting.