skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC
About Our Blog Our Authors

MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Pat Mason

Confirmation of Mayoral Appointments (and Terminations) by City or Town Council – Is that OK?

March 25, 2015  by  Pat Mason
Category:  Classification ,  Recruitment and Hiring

In mayor-council cities and towns, the mayor is generally in charge of the hiring and firing of all appointed officers and employees. But can the city or town council require that the council confirm mayoral appointments before they become effective?

Read more

May a City Council Meet Outside the Corporate Limits of the City?

January 13, 2015  by  Pat Mason
Category:  Legislative Body

The statutes that apply to cities and towns do not limit where the city or town council can meet, although (except for first class cities) they do contain a limitation on what types of action may be taken at a meeting being held outside the corporate limits.

Read more

May a County Legislative Body Meet Outside its County to Hold a Joint Meeting with the Legislative Body of Another County?

December 10, 2014  by  Pat Mason
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Legislative Body

Sometimes situations and issues arise affecting more than one county, such that it would be helpful for the legislative bodies of those counties to meet jointly, which would require one of the bodies to meet outside its county. A 2014 Attorney General Opinion addresses this issue.

Read more

What if Some of Your Elected or Appointed Officials Have Not Yet Completed Open Government Training Act Requirements?

November 5, 2014  by  Pat Mason
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act

The Open Government Trainings Act enacted by the 2014 Legislature (ESB 5964, Laws of 2014, ch. 66) requires training for some local government officials in the fundamentals of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), Public Records Act (PRA), and records retention requirements. Many local government officials have already completed these training requirements, which are not burdensome. However, we are receiving calls from some local governments asking what to do about those officials who haven’t completed this training yet this year. Basically, is that a problem?

Read more

Does the Open Public Meetings Act Apply to County Finance Committees?

September 24, 2014  by  Pat Mason
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act

MRSC legal staff has concluded that meetings of county finance committees are subject to the requirements of OPMA. Here's why.

Read more