HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Staff Report_OPMA RevisedKITTITAS COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: September 19, 2017
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve a resolution declaring the Kittitas County boards,
committees, and commissions operating under the direction
of the Board of County Commissioners, but excluding staff
only internal boards, committees, and commissions not
otherwise subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, subject
to the Open Public Meetings Act requirements.
BACKGROUND: In response to concerns raised by the Kittitas County
Records Management Committee and the Kittitas County
Prosecutor’s Office, the Kittitas County Board of
Commissioners requested a legal opinion addressing the
legal implications for County boards, committees, and
commissions in regards to the Open Public Meetings Act.
The Prosecutor’s office researched the pertinent legal
issues and provided an opinion and matrix to the County
analyzing which of those organizations are subject to the
Open Public Meetings Act and why or why not at a Special
Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on August
15, 2017. At that meeting, the Board determined that it was
in the best interest of the County to impose a mandate
declaring all boards, committees, and commissions subject
to the Open Public Meetings Act rather than analyze the
nuances of each and every board to determine individually
or on a case by case basis whether compliance with the Act
is necessary.
At Agenda Session held on September 5, 2017, the
implications of including internal staff only boards in this
directive were discussed and it was determined by the
Board that they should be excluded until the State
legislature directs otherwise.
INTERACTION: The Prosecutor’s office was directed to draft the revised
attached resolution.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the attached resolution.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution Declaring Kittitas County Boards, Committees,
and Commissions Operating Under the Direction of the
Board of County Commissions Subject to the Open Public
Meetings Act Requirements.
LEAD STAFF: Stephanie Hartung, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney