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Council backs modernization of municipal notices with caveats for digital access
Summary
Crafton councilors expressed majority support for modernizing municipal public‑notice rules in principle, favoring House Bill 12‑91’s more flexible approach over Senate Bill 1‑94 while asking that any letter of support include language protecting residents without reliable internet access and preserving independent archiving of notices.
Councilors discussed two state proposals to modernize how municipal public notices are published—House Bill 12‑91 and Senate Bill 1‑94—and signaled conditional support for modernization while urging language to protect residents who lack reliable internet access.
One councilor read an analysis noting that moving notices primarily online could make municipal actions less discoverable for residents without internet, and that allowing municipalities to rely solely on their own websites risks loss of independent archiving and oversight: “It also means that if you want to know when the next meeting is … you have to find their website…,” they said, quoting a Times Leader summary.
Several councilors said they support modernization but recommended caveats: allow digital sources when no reliable printed source exists, preserve some form of print notice when feasible, and require language that prevents municipalities from using only an internal website to the detriment of transparency. One councilor recommended sending a brief letter favoring modernization and asking the legislature to refine the language; another urged not to spend excessive council time trying to draft perfect statutory text.
Council agreed there was general support for modernization and asked staff and the solicitor to prepare draft language for a possible letter of support that would include the council’s concerns about access and archiving.
