JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced today that his office has settled a case against the City of Belle for failing to comply with the Sunshine Law. The violations involved public meetings and included failures to provide adequate notices and tentative agendas, discussing items not on meeting agendas, inadequately keeping meeting minutes, and improperly discussing business in at least one closed session that should have been open to the public.
“As Attorney General, I take seriously my obligation to enforce the laws as written, including Missouri’s public meetings laws,” said Attorney General Bailey. “I am glad that the City agreed to the settlement terms and compliance plan, which will put the City back on the path towards Sunshine Law compliance, in a way that takes accountability for missteps while conserving taxpayer dollars.”
As part of the agreement, the City of Belle admits that it violated the Sunshine Law on each of the five counts alleged in the case. The City agrees to pay a fee, which will be transmitted by the State of Missouri to Maries County Public Schools, and also agrees to abide by a compliance plan.
Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri forms the basis of what is known as Missouri’s Sunshine Law. The Attorney General’s Office reviews complaints about violations committed by local public governmental bodies, conducts regular public trainings across Missouri, and publishes resources and sample forms on its website.
In 2023, Attorney General Bailey set an office record for Sunshine Law trainings conducted in one year and closed a record number of Sunshine Law complaints.
The settlement can be read here.