Center Settles Yelm Open Meetings Case
Published on May 20, 2008
In a settlement approved by the Yelm Fire District Board of Commissioners May 14th, the District acknowledges violations of the state’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and agrees to pay fees and court costs of just over $5,600 to the Center. The lawsuit stemmed from violations by the district’s board in holding three executive sessions in 2006 and 2007 that were not provided for under the statutory exemptions in the Act.
“We hope this settlement is a timely reminder for other agencies about the importance
of Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act,” says the Center’s Chief Catalyst Breean Beggs. “The Center commends the Yelm Fire District’s board for its prompt settlement and renewed commitment to open government.”
The fire district board has recently received training with the district’s staff on the requirements of the OPMA and has adopted a new board policy to ensure compliance with the law.
As a further part of the Stipulation and Agreed Order, each commissioner also agrees to make a $300 contribution to a mutually agreed upon charity in lieu of a $100 per occurrence penalty that could have been assessed under the law.
“The Yelm Fire District greatly appreciates the Center for Justice’s willingness to settle this matter, which arose because of an unfortunate lack of awareness and need for strict compliance with the Act,” the board reported at its meeting.
“The District is pleased to be fully compliant with the Open Public Meetings Act now,” said board Chairman Orval French. He also said: “We are now moving forward toward the continuance of providing excellent fire and rescue services for our district and our community; on that includes a very open government.”