Oneida County Corporation Counsel Brian Desmond will tell Oneida County Board this morning about the latest information regarding the state's open meetings and open records laws.
While the legislature exempts itself from some of the provisions, it passed a strict law forcing local governments to conform to public notification of meetings and records requests.
Corporation Counsel Brian Desmond says the goal is to make sure the board complies with the law. He says they have many new members this year and wants to make sure they understand the law...
"......a primer on the open meetings and open records law... so they know what their duties are and basically comply with the law. It will also be a refresher course for the county board members that have previously been on the board. I think it is always helpful to have these ideas fresh in their minds so Oneida county is not exposed to liability through errors or omissions...."
The law gives specific protocols governing meeting notices, how agendas are to be posted, meetings conducted including provisions to go into closed session in meetings. The law also spells out the responsibilities of government how to give records requested by the public in a timely manner.
The fine for a public representative violating the open meetings law can range from $25 to $300 and is paid by the person, not the governernment.
