Farragut board censures Alderman Alex Kane for violating Tennessee Open Meetings Act

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Farragut voted Aug. 14, 2025, to adopt a resolution formally censuring Alderman Alex Kane for violating the Tennessee Open Meetings Act after private deliberations took place outside a publicly noticed meeting. The resolution was entered into the public record and approved by roll‑call vote.

Town Attorney Tom Hale read the resolution aloud for the board and said the matter arose after Alderman Kane published a letter in the Farragut Press on July 23, 2025, and later admitted a private conversation with another alderman that the attorney said led to a common understanding about how they would vote. Hale cited the statutory provisions the board relied on and referenced Tennessee case law, saying in part that "a violation of the Open Meetings Act can occur inadvertently" and that electronic or other communications that have the effect of circumventing the Act can constitute a violation.

The resolution, R‑2025‑18, states that Alderman Alex Kane is "hereby formally censured for his violation of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act arising from private deliberations outside the scope of publicly noticed meetings" and affirms the board's dedication to transparency, accountability and legal compliance.

Alderman Kane addressed the board during the agenda item, saying he did not intend to violate the law, that he believed the private conversation concerned the wording of the resolution rather than an agreement on a vote, and apologized: "I know I made a mistake. There was no intent to make that mistake." He also asked residents to stop attacking him on social media and offered to speak with anyone in person.

Vice Mayor Scott Meyer said he believed Kane had not intended to violate the law but supported a statement from the board acknowledging the violation and asking that it not happen again. Public commenters at the meeting urged accountability: resident Joe LaCroix said the board should "act" to set precedent and preserve integrity, and Greg Wiberly urged improved notice and communication to residents about agenda items that affect private property.

After discussion, the board voted to adopt the censure resolution. The board’s vote was recorded by roll call and the chair directed that the resolution be entered into the public record. The resolution does not impose a statutory penalty but serves as a formal expression of the board’s disapproval and a call for adherence to Tennessee’s Open Meetings Act going forward.

The board also discussed the broader implications for committees and town governance; Hale noted that the Act’s violation can be minimized when later actions are taken to disclose and fully deliberate the matter in public, but that such steps do not negate that a violation occurred.

The board indicated it expects all elected officials and committee members to follow the law and apply the same standards to themselves as they do to residents.