Mayor’s Message

Open and Public Meetings Act

Your Washington City Mayor and Council value transparency. Utah’s Open and Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requires that all meetings of government bodies be open to the public to promote transparency and accountability in government decision-making processes.

The law defines a public meeting as any gathering of a quorum of the members of a public body for the purpose of discussing or taking action on public business. A quorum is the minimum number of members required to conduct official business, which is a majority of the members of the board, commission, or council. In Washington City, when three of the five council members are together, it constitutes a quorum.

Municipalities are required to post a notice at least 24 hours before a public meeting that includes an agenda, date, time, and place of the meeting. The Washington City Recorder typically posts meeting agendas well in advance. This ensures that the public has adequate notice of the meeting and an opportunity to attend. The 2023 meeting schedule and specific notices for Washington City meetings can be found on our website at WashingtonCity.org/meetings. Notices are also submitted to the Utah Public Notice website.

In general, a public meeting is one in which the public is invited to attend and observe. Guests can come and watch elected and appointed officials deliberate, discuss, and decide on matters. Residents may voice thoughtful and relevant comments on specific agenda items when a public hearing is required.

One important restriction imposed by the OPMA is that council, commission, or board members are prohibited from meeting in a quorum outside of a publicly noticed meeting. A quorum cannot hold private meetings or conduct business outside of the public’s view. This ensures that all discussions and decisions are made in an open and transparent manner.

The OPMA also requires that minutes of all municipal discussions and decisions be kept and made available to the public within a reasonable time after the meeting. All published minutes from Washington City public meetings can be found on the page previously referenced, which also includes links to live and recorded video of City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

Compliance with the OPMA results in governmental transparency and accountability, and provides the community with the opportunity to see the decision-making process, including opportunities to speak during public hearings. In addition, the Act outlines an effective decision making structure that guides public policy towards the best interest of the community as a whole. In Washington City, we keep OPMA top of mind so that we are compliant.

The Open and Public Meetings Act is designed to ensure that the public is aware of government processes and to provide residents with opportunities to view meetings, and participate on certain agenda items. Washington City leadership values and welcomes the perspectives, opinions, and solutions offered by community members. Residents need not attend the meetings in person to share their thoughts, public comment can be submitted prior to meetings on the Washington City website. Council voting records can be viewed online, and additional comments can be sent anytime to the Mayor and City Council at WashingtonCity.org/council.

-Kress Staheli

Mayor

kress@washingtoncity.org