Commissioners raise legal questions as newspapers shift from print to digital; county staff point to temporary state law

Commissioners used the caucus to press staff and counsel on how the county will meet statutory legal‑advertising and public‑notice obligations as newspapers transition from print to digital editions.

Commissioner Albert Cifelli said he wanted clarity on whether digital notices will satisfy statutory publication requirements and warned that an aggrieved party could sue if notices do not meet the law. "So I just want to make sure that everybody understands that the statutes are the statutes, and we have to abide by it," he said.

County Administrator Abraham Antun and County Counsel Donato Battista said the Legislature enacted a temporary measure to permit digital publication during the transition because several newspapers have ceased print publication. Antun said the temporary authorization is not permanent and advised the Board that the digital format must make legal notices available without requiring a paid subscription.

"This interim bill that the Governor signed is only good for about 60 days or so," Antun said. Battista added that the Ledger has historically been the primary publication for the county and that a shift to digital does not change its qualification as a legal newspaper under current stopgap rules; he recommended tracking follow‑up legislation and obtaining a legal opinion if needed.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff and counsel to obtain the temporary legislation text and provide a legal opinion clarifying whether current digital publication practices meet statutory requirements.