MOUNT VERNON — Ohio’s Open Meetings Act requires public officials to take official action and conduct all deliberations on official business in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically exempted by law.
Often referred to as the Sunshine Law, the law’s purpose is to ensure transparency and public access to government decision-making.
Several readers questioned whether the city violated the law with the recent meeting of its Records Commission.
The law requires at least 24 hours of advance notice of a special meeting. The city notified the public the afternoon of July 10 about a meeting scheduled for July 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. in council chambers at 236 S. Main St.
However, the commission met on July 16 at 2 p.m. Commission members reviewed four retention schedules and made decisions on three of them.
City Law Director Rob Broeren said that due to an error, the wrong date was advertised.
“After review, all of those decisions have been voided, and all four cases will be re-discussed at the Records Commission meeting at 1 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2026,” he said.
The December meeting will take place in the municipal center at 236 S. Main St.
