COVID-19 and Open Meetings Act

In response to questions on how counties should handle board meetings in the current COVID-19 crisis, please see the following suggestions received from Tom Hood, Executive Director, Mississippi Ethics Commission.

Per Tom Hood, Executive Director of Mississippi Ethics Commission:

Counties should try their best to follow the spirit of the Open Meetings Act while balancing recommendations from the Mississippi Department of Health and CDC on social distancing.

If a local governing authority feels that limiting public access to a meeting is in its best interest for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare and the prevention of the spread of infectious disease, efforts should be made to record proceedings (video or audio). Make every effort possible to make sure the recording is easily accessible by the public.

Again, please be very cautious with this practice and only use it when you feel that public health is at risk.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the MAS Office. We will remain in contact with county officials as we gain information on this crisis.