The main purpose of the Texas Open Meetings Act is to ensure that all governmental bodies in the state will conduct public business in the open.
It guarantees citizens to have an open and transparent government.
Its intention is to provide both appointed and elected public officials the rules to comply with open government by informing citizens of its meetings.
It also provides them the right to attend and sometimes express their views on matters being acted upon by these officials.
Recently, the Mercedes Independent School District’s efforts in trying to hold a tax ratification election were halted when a citizen obtained a temporary restraining order from a state district court. Many Mercedes citizens were upset that a June 26, school board member was held in a “secretive way.”
This resulted in not giving many of them “the proper legal notice to attend and voice their concerns” on this election.
Mercedes ISD officials contended this meeting was “lawfully called.” It might have been legal, but deceiving. This was contrary to the spirit of the law.
The facts show this action was taken during July because it is the slowest month of the school year. Many citizens are either on vacation or out of town during this month.
Many did not know of the election and therefore would have been unable to cast their votes.
Apparently, these officials’ actions were clearly done to circumvent the intent of this law, thus depriving some of its citizens of an open and transparent government.
Silvestre Moreno Jr. Mercedes
