A local law sponsored by Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo calling for more government transparency has passed in the Erie County Legislature. The law, known as “The Meetings Transparency Act” calls for the public to have better access to information discussed at public meetings.
“I’m pleased my colleagues supported this measure that I first introduced nearly one year ago. These boards are making decisions that impact taxpayers, and they have the right to know. It is important that taxpayers are aware of not only how decisions are being made, but also how their tax dollars are being spent,” said Legislator Lindsay Lorigo.
The Erie County Legislature posts agendas online, records videos of meetings, and posts minutes of meetings for review. However, many other commissions and boards empaneled by Erie County do not provide similar access. This law will require those boards and commissions to keep written minutes summarizing all official actions, discussions, public comments and votes, and make those draft minutes available to the public within ten business days of each meeting. After those minutes are officially approved at the board’s next public meeting, a final version shall be posted publicly online within five business days of approval.
The law also requires boards to give public notice at least seven calendar days before any regular meeting by prominently posting the date, time, location and agenda on the Erie County website and the website of the Erie County Legislature. For special or emergency meetings, notice shall be provided as soon as it is practical. Those agendas shall include topics to be discussed, a list of invited speakers and an indication of whether votes or official actions are anticipated.
Boards will also provide a live stream of meetings for public viewing to the extent feasible. If the meetings cannot be live streamed, then a video recording of that meeting must be made available to the public on the Erie County website. In addition, the public shall have access to records as allowed by public record law. Boards should provide reasonable opportunities for the public to comment at each meeting and Erie County shall compile and maintain a directory of all Boards and Advisory Committees which will include hyperlinks to a webpage providing relevant information about that board or committee.
“The Erie County Board of Health made many decisions during the Covid pandemic, decisions that impacted all of us, and just last year created a new fee for small businesses. Similarly, the Ethics Board considers investigations into wrongdoing. Residents have a right to know how these decisions are made,” said Legislator Lorigo.
The measure passed unanimously.
