whitecountyclerk@cablelynx.com

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                                          Opinion No.: 2001 - 065
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Bill Gwatney                                                                    ..-
State Senator

 RE:How many quorum court members are necessary  to constitute a "public meeting," thereby requiring media notification?
Q2) Is it a violation of the Freedom of Infomation Act (FOIA) for:
    a) two quorum court members t~ speak on the telephone or play golf?
    b ) three quorum court members to meet for lunch?
    c) several quorum court members to meet socially and it not be considered a public meeting?

RESPONSE:
Q1) See Opinions 99-018 and 2000-096. This will turn on the facts of each case.
Q2    (a) Telephone conversations are addressed in Ops. 99-018 and 2000-096. A social event such as a      golf game is generally not governed by the FOIA, although it must be recognized that a social function cannot be used to circumvent the act.
Q2    (b) Assuming this is a social gathering and that any discussion of public business is intermittent and incidental to the social function, then the FOIA will not apply. See Op, 95-020.
Q2    (c) See above response.

 

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