A member of the Faribault County Agricultural Society filed a civil suit on March 3 alleging its 12-member board has “intentionally violated” the Open Meeting Law.
Milton Steele of Blue Earth is seeking $1,200 from each defendant — a maximum penalty of $300 per occurrence — for a total of $14,400,
He also is asking for reimbursement of costs incurred, attorney fees and other relief the court deems just and equitable.
A court hearing before Martin County Judge Darci Bentz was held April 21 in Fairmont and she has taken the case under advisement.
According to court documents, Steele says because the agricultural society is a “public body,” its meetings are open to the public.
The 12 board members met either over breakfast or at a beer garden during the 2024 county fair held July 24, 25, 26 and 27 in Blue Earth, says the civil suit.
Steele believes the board was conducting business, says the complaint, and informed them they were required to give notice of all of its meetings.
Under the Open Meeting Law, the suit says the board did not:
- post a written notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the meetings on the principal bulletin board of the agricultural society or the door of its usual meeting room;
- give any notice by mail, publications or other means;
- notify the news media by phone or other means;
- and, keep a journal or minutes of the meetings.