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Public commenter accuses county of violating Open Meetings Act and public‑comment rules
Summary
During the public‑comment period, online caller Chris Michels accused county staff of violating the county's rules of order and the Open Meetings Act, and urged review of a 2013 county resolution governing public input on action items; the board acknowledged his remarks but made no formal response at the meeting.
During the public‑comment portion of the July 27 meeting, online caller Chris Michels used his allotted three minutes to say the county was violating its own rules of order and the state Open Meetings Act and to challenge the county's public‑comment sign‑up process. Michels asked the board to review Resolution 2013‑120 (as referenced in his remarks) and argued staff were exercising unchecked discretion over who is allowed to speak online.
"You're refusing to follow your own laws and your own resolutions," Michels said, urging the board to take notice. Chair Justin Green thanked Michels for his time; no formal action or staff response was made on the record at the meeting. The board later proceeded with agenda business, including approvals of minutes and other agenda items.
Why it matters: public‑comment procedures and compliance with the Open Meetings Act are matters of legal and civic importance; Michels' remarks place procedural practices and online‑meeting administration under public scrutiny.
