Griggs County commissioners call special meeting after online agenda showed canceled

Griggs County commissioners discovered the agenda for their July 7 meeting had been listed as canceled on the county website and voted to adjourn and reconvene at a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. the next day.

The issue arose during roll call when several commissioners said the online agenda had appeared as canceled. Commissioners and staff discussed legal posting requirements and public transparency before Commissioner Zoran moved to adjourn and schedule a special meeting for 9:30 a.m. the next morning. The motion was seconded by Bridal and carried after commissioners answered "aye."

The commissioners debated whether posting the agenda on the courthouse door met legal notice requirements, with staff saying the door posting satisfied the statutory posting obligation but acknowledging the county has been encouraging the public to use the website. A staff member, Stephanie, told the group she had checked the posting requirements and said the law requires "reasonable notice," with 24 hours generally viewed as sufficient; she added that emergency meetings can justify shorter notice. Commissioners expressed concern that people who checked the website earlier might see the "canceled" status and not return to check again if the meeting proceeded that day.

Commissioners also discussed an agenda item to draft a letter to the state's Department of Transportation regarding Highway 1. One commissioner asked that the draft letter be circulated for review before being placed on the agenda; staff said they would accept a draft and include it on the agenda for the special meeting so the board could consider it.

The board concluded that calling a special meeting with a fresh notice would reduce confusion and give residents another reasonable opportunity to review the agenda online. The meeting was adjourned and the special meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 8, 2025.