Board approves bylaw change to modernize public‑meeting notice options while complying with ND open‑meetings law

The Fargo Cass Public Health Board of Health voted on July 12 to amend its bylaws to modernize public‑meeting notice methods while retaining compliance with state open‑meetings law.

Chair John Strand introduced a suggested bylaw change to remove a specific requirement to publish notice in the Fargo Forum (a paid newspaper) and instead provide: notice via the city’s media contact list, postings to the city website and the Fargo Cass Public Health Facebook and X accounts. Nancy (legal counsel) recommended adding explicit language to the proposed change indicating that notices will be given “in accordance with North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44‑04,” the state open‑meetings statute.

A board member moved the amendment; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The chair confirmed the motion passed.

Why this matters: the change allows the board to use digital channels and the city’s media list for meeting notice while maintaining statutory compliance; legal counsel advised keeping statutory language so the bylaw reflects current requirements.

Implementation: staff will update the bylaw text to include the statute reference and will continue routine notice practices via the city’s channels. The change passed at the July meeting; no additional conditions or rollbacks were attached.