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County attorney briefs HRC on open meetings law and possible remedies
Summary
Margaret McConnell, the county attorney, gave a refresher to the Human Relations Commission on North Carolina open meetings statutes, outlining that advisory bodies are public bodies and that courts may enjoin actions or award attorney fees for violations.
Margaret McConnell, Orange County Attorney, provided a mini-refresher on state open meetings law during the commission’s Feb. 24 meeting, reminding commissioners that advisory bodies are public bodies and must conduct hearings, deliberations and actions openly.
McConnell cited N.C. Gen. Stat. §153A-76 (which authorizes the BOCC to create advisory boards) and Chapter 143, Article 33C (including provisions such as 143-318.9 and 143-318.10) to explain that official meetings must be open to the public and that attempts to evade these requirements can trigger legal action. She noted remedies that a court may impose, including injunctive relief under 143-318.16, declarations that actions taken in violation are null and void (143-318.16A), and potential awards of reasonable attorney fees under 143-318.16B when violations are knowing or intentional.
The Chair also reminded attendees of public comment guidance: public comment must not include confidential information, personal identifying information or details of active complaints or investigations; sensitive matters should be redirected to staff and the complaint process to protect due process and confidentiality.
The presentation served as an advisory reminder of legal constraints on meetings and public comment; no enforcement action or formal legal challenge was initiated at the session.
