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Commission updates county code on open meetings and records to align with state law
Summary
Ordinance 26-06 passed to amend Cass County Code chapter 100 so the county's open meetings and records policy conforms to recent changes to Missouri's Chapter 610 (sunshine law), including allowing advance deposits for records requests and specifying abandonment timelines.
The Cass County Commission approved Ordinance 26-06 to amend chapter 100 of the county code on open meetings and open records to align with changes made by the Missouri General Assembly to Chapter 610 (the sunshine law).
Paul told commissioners that the 2025–2026 legislative changes clarify that an advanced deposit may be required when a records requester seeks documents, and that the deposit may cover staff time. He said staff encountered instances where significant requests consumed many hours and requesters then "ghosted" the county, leaving staff with uncompensated work. Paul explained the statute provides that if a requester does not make a required deposit within 90 days the request is deemed abandoned, or within 150 days when the deposit exceeds $1,000. Commissioners approved the ordinance by voice vote, 3–0.
The ordinance updates county policy language to reflect the state law and is intended to reduce staff burden from nonresponsive requesters. The transcript does not include the ordinance's full text or specific new fee schedule.
