Lincoln County commissioners have approved a policy to allow public discussion and citizens comments during commission meetings, ensuring compliance with the Open Meeting Act.
Their action came following discussion that included a recommendation from Assistant District Attorney Randall Wiley during a special meeting Oct. 14.
District 2 Commissioner Marlon Miller made the motion to approve the policy. District 1 Commissioner Carl Munson seconded it, even though he later voted against the motion.
District 3 Commissioner and Chairman Lee Doolen voted for approval making it a 2-1 decision.
Munson told the others, “I think you’re opening up a can of worms. We should have those discussions with our constituents before the meetings.”
Wiley stressed the policy he was recommending excluded discussion following executive sessions and during citizens comments on items that are not part of the agenda.
“You will be in compliance with the Open Meetings law,” Wiley told them, prior to their taking a vote. “You’ll no longer be in violation of the law,” he noted.
“This policy will give you protection,” he further advised them.
“We are giving public notice which is what the Open Meetings Act requires,” he said.
The commissioners, following about an hour of discussing the county redistricting issue, took no action. They agreed to have the latest options sent to County Clerk Alicia Wagnon again so she could send them to the commissioners and other county officials as needed prior to this past Monday’s commission meeting.
Doolen explained an assistant with the State Senate has been assisting them with county redistricting, but it has nothing to do with the redistricting of State Senate boundaries who are handling their own redistricting.
Doolen said prior to the special meeting last Thursday that even though new county redistricting must be in place this year, it will not take effect until 15 days after the election in November 2022.
“I will continue to represent the constituents I currently have,” he emphasized, “but will run for reelection in the new district.”
The Senate assistant has told the commissioners their deadline is Monday, Nov. 8. “There is a special session of the Legislature starting Nov. 15 and the final deadline for redistricting is Nov. 30.”
They also voted unanimously to obtain a title report from the County Assessor concerning the abandonment of statutory right of way in Wellston as discussed by the commission on Aug. 2 of this year.
A renewal of Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Certificate of Compliance was approved for Deer Lake Farms.