Williams County to correct illegal meeting

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — The chairman of the Williams County Commission says if officials had known a meeting earlier this year was illegal it never would have been held.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says two Williams County commissioners broke the state's open meetings law in May when they met with the sheriff and human resources director to discuss the performance of the county's emergency services director. Stenehjem says the two commissioners did not constitute a quorum — but they were acting in an official capacity.

Commission Chairman Dan Kalil says the two commissioners didn't realize they were actually working as a committee. He says they didn't intend to break the law.

Stenehjem ordered the commission to post notice of the meeting and prepare minutes. Kalil says the commission will do that, and will be more careful in the future.

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