Adams Outdoor Advertising in Madison is hoping a lawsuit will result in another vote on whether or not the billboard company can renew a lease for three billboards it has had on county land near the airport since 1987.
The suit claims members of the county board, particularly Sup. Paul Rusk, violated the state open meetings law by participating in email discussions on the matter. Rusk, whose district includes the land in question, allegedly urged board members in the emails to vote against the lease renewal. In April, the board rejected the renewal on an 18–16 vote.
County lawyers say the suit is baseless and without merit, while Adams’ general manager Todd McWilliams, in a Wisconsin State Journal story, says the company just wants to be treated fairly.
