Valley County board authorizes legal counsel to send nonviolation response to open‑meetings complaint

Valley County commissioners reviewed an open‑meetings violation complaint Wednesday and concluded the board did not find a violation of the open‑meetings law.

Speaker 2, summarizing the county’s position, said the agenda had been posted, the items contained the required action language and the agenda offered a germane synopsis of matters to be discussed. "I don't feel that we have a violation of the open meetings laws at all," Speaker 2 said.

Speaker 2 moved that the county's legal team be authorized to submit a ‘‘nonviolation’’ letter in response to the complaint. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

When the chair called for the vote, two commissioners recorded "Aye." The board instructed the prosecuting attorney's office, which was present, to send the letter stating the county's view that no violation occurred.

The board did not announce additional sanctions or other remedies; the action recorded was limited to authorizing counsel to respond with a nonviolation determination and to notify the complainant.

Staff said they had prepared the response and would work with the county attorney to finalize the letter.