Joe Nelson and Clara Nelson v. Boundary

This is an appeal by Joe Nelson, a former county employee, from a summary judgment dismissing his claim for compensation for any injury caused by the manner in which he was terminated. His appeal centers on whether the "public" meeting requirement of I.C. § 31-713 prevents county commissioners from conducting closed "executive" sessions which otherwise would be permitted under I.C. § 67-2345. On appeal, Nelson contends that the district court erred in holding I.C. § 67-2345 controls over I.C. § 31-713. Nelson further argues that if I.C. § 67-2345 does control, thus allowing the county commissioners to hold executive sessions for personnel matters, then it violates his rights of equal protection, freedom of speech and assembly, and the pursuit of happiness and it denies him liberty and property without due process of law. We affirm the judgment.