SUMPTER — Three Sumpter city employees who have been on paid administrative leave since this spring will have a chance to defend their performance to the city council on Thursday afternoon.

LeAnne Woolf, bookkeeper and assistant city recorder for the city, which has a population of about 210 and is about 28 miles west of Baker City, was put on leave May 14.

Two of Sumpter’s three other city employees — City Recorder Julie McKinney and Public Works Director Jeff McKinney, who is her husband — have been on leave since June 14.

Each of the three employees has asked that the hearing take place during a meeting open to the public, rather than during an executive session from which the public can be excluded, Sumpter Mayor Greg Lucas said.

The three employees will have separate hearings of up to 30 minutes, without the two others present, Lucas said.

Woolf’s hearing will start at 2 p.m. at Sumpter City Hall, 240 Mill St., followed by separate hearings for the McKinneys. Lucas said he didn’t know which McKinney would have the first hearing.

The city council will not take public comments during the hearings, Lucas said.

Whether the council will decide on any action regarding the employees’ status during Thursday’s meeting depends on what happens during the hearings, Lucas said.