Local Government 101
Local Government 101: Emergency Clauses
If you regularly attend local government meetings, you have probably heard officials mention an “emergency clause” before voting on an ordinance or resolution. While the term may sound dramatic, an emergency clause is simply a legal mechanism that allows certain government actions to take effect immediately instead of waiting for the normal effective date required…
Read MoreLocal Government 101: Public Comment
Public Comment, Your Three Minutes At The Microphone Anyone who has attended a public meeting has likely wondered when, or if, they are allowed to speak. Public comment is one of the most visible parts of local government and one of the most misunderstood. A person approaches the podium, states their name, delivers remarks and…
Read MoreLocal Government 101
A New Column, And What It’s Here To Do If you’ve ever sat through a public meeting and walked out more confused than when you walked in, you’re not alone. Local government has its own language. Emergency clauses, executive sessions, quorum calls, millage rates, first readings, second readings — the terms come up at nearly…
Read MoreSunshine, Accountability And What They Mean Here
Most of us don’t think about government transparency until something happens that makes us wish we had. A decision gets made that affects your neighborhood and you find out about it after the fact. A meeting happens and the only version of events you can find is a three-sentence Facebook post from someone who left…
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