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Deputy county attorney outlines narrow legal reasons and safeguards for closed sessions
Summary
Deputy County Attorney Cortland Erickson told the commission that state law allows closed meetings only in limited circumstances (personnel/health matters, pending litigation, some real-property negotiations) and stressed that ordinances or contracts cannot be finally approved in closed session; commissioners must vote publicly to enter a closed meeting and state the reason on the record.
Deputy County Attorney Cortland Erickson explained the limited legal grounds and required safeguards for closed meetings during the commission's Jan. 20 recap. "The legislature has determined that there are certain reasons for holding a closed session, but, yes, they are very limited," Erickson said.
Erickson listed commonly permitted reasons: discussion of the character,…
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