A virtual “town hall” meeting was held Wednesday morning in connection with a proposed ordinance.
Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess hosted the “town hall” style meeting to discuss the ongoing issue of Commissioners signing non-disclosure agreements on behalf of the county. Those who spoke during the meeting voiced concerns about officials “conducting business behind closed doors”.
The ordinance would ensure that no county officials sign any NDA’s, with some state and federal exceptions. Should they enter one under one of those exceptions, they would have 72 hours to inform the public of the agreement. There would also be penalties including a $1000 dollar fine.
Hess says that in order for something like that to work, it would need to go through a public meeting.
Commissioners Mike Keith and Bonni Dunlap released a joint statement on the matter, as they were not involved in the virtual meeting. In it, they assure residents that they “are not ‘meeting behind closed doors to conduct public business’ and that no NDAs have been signed by Commissioner Keith, Dunlap, or any county employee.”.
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