Over the past two years the media and members of the public have multiple times filed open meetings complaints against public bodies in this state.
While the general public may not see the importance of these complaints, which were each filed with the Mississippi Ethics Commission, what is at question is the openness of our government.
Three such complaints have been filed in our area alone.
The Dispatch has filed two ethics complaints over the city of Columbus’ efforts to conduct city business outside of public meetings as prescribed by law.
In both instances, we felt there was incontrovertible evidence the city formed a consensus on issues outside of a public meeting.
The state ethics commission has ruled against the city on one. That case is now waiting to be heard by the state Supreme Court. In the other complaint, the commission has issued a preliminary ruling against the city.
Last week, WTVA-TV filed a similar ethics complaint against the Lowndes County supervisors.
Another ethics complaint was filed by a citizen against the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors in 2014.
All four of these complaints allege elected officials conducted official business outside of the public view.
Our form of government requires the decision-making process be conducted in public. That’s especially true when taxpayer dollars are on the line.
Of course members of a public body need to be able to talk amongst themselves outside of meetings. We want them coming to meetings informed on a subject before they vote on it.
A distinct line emerges here, however. Having a conversation is one thing; forming a consensus outside a public meeting is another.
We find no fault when an elected official gets a “thumbs up” from his/her fellow board members before putting an item on an agenda or when an official needs to give information to other officials. Likewise, there is no problem when a board member calls someone and says, “Educate me on this issue.”
We do find fault when those conversations turn to discussing the pros and cons of a subject. We also have a problem when “informal” conversations are structured to gain a consensus. Those are the conversations that must happen in public.
Granted, it’s a fine line but an important one.
Between the complaints at the Ethics Commission level and those working their way through the court system, we hope that line can be better defined for our public bodies.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.