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Commission adopts county policy to reinforce Open Government Meetings Act guidance
Summary
The commission adopted a resolution establishing a county policy to direct boards and officials to the state Open Meetings booklet and ethics commission advisory opinions to improve compliance and provide resources for local bodies.
The Hampshire County Commission adopted a resolution June 10 establishing a county policy to promote compliance with the state Open Government Meetings Act (OGMA).
Commissioner Mance proposed the resolution after several local officials requested clearer guidance about OGMA resources. The policy directs county boards and officials to review the state Attorney General’s Open Meetings booklet and to reference advisory opinions published by the State Ethics Commission. Commissioners and the county clerk noted that the ethics commission’s advisory opinions can provide civil‑immunity protection when officials rely on those published opinions in good faith.
Clerk Clark and other commissioners recommended the county add the OGMA materials to an annual calendar so that boards are periodically presented with the booklet and reminded of compliance obligations; the county clerk also noted state training opportunities and said the county could invite state trainers for in‑county sessions.
The motion to adopt the resolution passed by voice vote; county staff said the resolution and underlying materials will be published for boards and made available for training.
