Don’t Drink From those Springs

There’s a lovely small town along the concrete river that stretches across our beloved state which
seems to consistently have sunshine law problems. The local newspaper has repeatedly pointed
out the short-fallings of its local government, but it seems unable to learn. Its city council and
local police department have even had instruction one-on-one from members of the Attorney
General’s office, but the message seems to go in one ear and out the other.

Now the school district, not wanting to get left out, has been inflicted with the same strange
disease. The members, prior to their regular meeting, met an hour earlier with architects to
discuss plans for a new facility in town. No notice to the public was given, not even a phone call
to the local newspaper which has requested notice of all meetings. When you are required to
give notice of meetings of the body pursuant to section 610.020, that means ALL meetings of the
body. Surely the board can understand that a discussion with an architect about a new school
building is a discussion of public business. Just because no vote is taken does not mean that a
meeting is not a public meeting under the law. Every time the body plans to assemble to
discuss matters which relate IN ANY WAY to the performance of its functions or its business,
notice MUST be given to the public.

One wonders what it is with these public officials? Is it the water in those springs around town?