The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to begin discussions on whether to put a question on the November ballot about expanding the county commission from three members to five. Commissioner Daniel Friesen, frustrated by his inability to discuss issues outside of county commission meeting with another member, suggested “engaging in a conversation” about such an expansion. Under Kansas Open Meeting laws, a majority of a quorum of a public body cannot discuss business outside of a meeting. With only three members on the commission, two members make up a majority of a quorum, which means no outside discussions. With a five-member commission, it would allow discussions between two members outside a meeting, although, noted Commission Chairman Ron Hirst, a commissioner could not have the same discussion with more than one member, even if at a separate time, because that would violate the law.
Source: Hutch News.
