From the News-Times (Hartford City):
Q: I have a question on one governmental body attending another governmental body’s meeting to discuss an issue. The three Blackford County commissioners plan to attend the meeting of the Hartford City Common Council. They will be discussing an issue jointly. The common council meeting is already a regularly scheduled meeting. Does there have to be a separate notice from the commissioners, or does the fact the common council’s meeting is a regularly scheduled meeting offset the necessity of a separate notice?
A: I would recommend the county commissioners also issue a notice because their gathering meets all the definitions of a meeting under the Open Door Law. If you meet the definition of a meeting, you should give notice as a governing body.
Yes, the city council meeting is already noticed, but that doesn’t inform people that the county commissioners also will be in attendance, which may be of interest to people outside Hartford City.
Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.
