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Smith had evaluations, according to the documents reviewed by The 69���� on May 12, 2020; Feb. 21, 2019; Nov. 15, 2017; Oct. 5, 2016 and Sept. 28, 2015. That he would receive an annual review was specified in his employment contract.

County Supervisor Richard Bostwick told The 69���� that Smith didn’t received an evaluation in 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Just to be fair, Josh’s focus was outside of his duties,” Bostwick said, citing stresses tied to COVID-related mandates at Rock Haven, the county-run nursing home.

An informal review was done in 2021, Bostwick said. The county re-did Smith’s contract in December 2021, Bostwick said.

Bostwick said Smith received a raise in both 2021 and 2023 and was on track to receive one in 2024 but resigned to become the senior associate vice president of finance at the Universities of Wisconsin.

Zoril made the records request in April. The county denied the request, citing erroneously that the records were protected because they are personnel files. The records do not qualify under the statute because the personnel in question are government officials in leadership roles.

Zoril was represented by Tom Kamenick, president and founder of the Wisconsin Transparency Project, which specializes in government transparency.

As a part of the settlement, the county is to pay Zoril’s attorney fees, court costs and statutory damages of $100.